1. Copy this chart to your journal
HISTORICAL FIGURE
CHARACTER
DESCRIBE PARALLEL
Karl Marx
Old Major
Old Major is the originator of the idea that becomes the basis of the animal rebellion – however, like Marx, the ideals behind it are soon forgotten Animalism | Communism
Czar Nicolas II
Josef Stalin
Leon Trotsky
The “Proletariat” (the working class)
Pravda – the newspaper that worked as the propaganda organ of the Party
The KGB, or secret police

2. Animal farm is an allegory that demonstrates how people can be manipulated and deceived through propaganda. Although it was inspired by and parallels the Russian Revolution and has historical significance, its themes are universal and timeless. It prompts readers to think critically instead of blindly accepting what they are told and understand how information is often distorted and slanted to mislead or scare people into action. Orwell challenges readers to recognize and resist injustices.

3. The Russian Revolution

4. Ah-ha!
Old Major (Father of Animalism): Karl Marx (the original communist leader) / Lenin
Napoleon: Joseph Stalin
Squealer: Russian Media – Stalin’s version of the truth
Snowball: Leo Trotsky – Stalin’s biggest enemy
Boxer: The working class
Mollie: Russia’s upper class
Dogs: Military/police
Hens: Peasant Farmers
Pigeons: Communist World Revolution
Sheep: The masses at large
Moses: Russian Orthodox Church
Benjamin: Bystanders

5. Old Major tells the animals of his vision of a better world.
CHAPTER 1 | 1848
Old Major tells the animals of his vision of a better world.
Karl Marx publishes the book Communist Manifesto, which outlines the basic ideas of communism.
“Equality for all!”

6. CHAPTER 2 | 1883 & 1917 Old Major Dies
The animals, led by Napoleon and Snowball, overtake Mr. Jones – the negligent owner of the Manor Farm
The pigs set up the government – Animalism
Snowball renames the farm Animal Farm
Karl Marx dies
The Russians, led by Leon Trotsky and Vladimir Lenin, overtake Czar Nicholas II – the autocratic ruler
The Bolshevik party take leadership of the newly formed government
The country’s name changes from Russia to Russian Soviet Republic

7. CHAPTER 3 & 4 | 1917 – 1923
Mr. Jones tries to retake the farm, but fails due to Snowball’s superior strategy
Followers of Czar Nicholas II fight the newly founded Russian Soviet Republic Army, only to lose

8. CHAPTER 5 | 1918 & 1925
Mollie leaves Animal Farm since she liked being cared for by humans
Napoleon and the loyal attack dogs drive Snowball out of the farm and take over
The upper class of Russia leave the Russian Soviet Republic
Stalin and his supporters drive out Trotsky and take power after the previous leader, Lenin, dies

9. CHAPTER 6 & 7 | 1930s
Napoleon uses Snowball as a target for any shortcomings of the pigs
Napoleon and the guard dogs kill alleged supporters of Snowball’s plan to sabotage the windmill
Stalin uses Trotsky as a target for any shortcomings the new dictatorship runs into
Stalin performs purges against anyone he feels could rebel

10. CHAPTER 8, 9, & 10 |
Napoleon sells an unused pile of timber to the neighboring farm, owned by Mr. Frederick. Frederick goes back on his exchange by giving the farm forgeries
Frederick attacks Animal Farm and destroys the windmill before being driven away by the animals
Years later, Napoleon invites all the farms far and wide to a card game and he is openly praised for his work on the farm
Stalin makes a pact with Hitler to not get in a war with each other
Hitler breaks the pact by attacking the western borders, destroying much of the Soviet’s industry
Back then and even today, world leaders accredited Stalin with the great work he did with Russia

11.  "There have been, are, and always will be pigs in every society, Orwell states, and they will always grab power. Even more cruel is the conclusion that everyone in the society, wittingly or unwittingly, contributes to the pigs' tyranny."