1. Animal Farm: Historical Context
The Russian Revolution

2. Nicholas II: The last Czar of Russia
subheading
Nicholas II: The last Czar of Russia
In the early 1900s, Russia was in poverty while the Czar lived in luxury
There was tremendous dissatisfaction.

3. The Royal Family: Romanovs
His wife, Alexandra, was the real power behind the throne.
She had 4 daughters and 1 son.

4. The Romanov Sisters

5. Brother Alexei The youngest, heir to the throne Hemophiliac
Died two weeks before his 14th birthday

6. Rasputin: The Mad Monk Charismatic healer
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Rasputin: The Mad Monk
Charismatic healer
Close friend of Alexandra, brought in to treat the prince
Very powerful, politically and within royal family
Grew up a peasant
While working in the palace became influential
Insisted Czar Nicholas command troops himself in WWI

7. Influence over Alexandra increased drastically with the Czar’s absence
Handpicked candidates in political positions & increased political power exponentially

8. 1916 Murder: The Mad Monk’s End
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1916 Murder: The Mad Monk’s End
1st: Fed cake & red wine laced w/ cyanide (enough to kill 5 men)
2nd: Poison failed to do the job; shot in back
3rd: Attacked conspirators; shot more times
4th: Still wasn’t dead, clubbed into submission
5th: Bound/wrapped in carpet; tossed into frozen Neva River
6th: Escaped bonds but ultimately drowned

9. This murder was a sign that people were very unhappy with their rulers:
WWI went badly for Russia
The Tsar was rich and they were poor
There were many people in prison
The masses were angry and ready for change
So….

10. Revolution broke out in 1917, led by the Bolsheviks

11. People Dissatisfied Revolution
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People Dissatisfied Revolution
Communist ideas of “equality for all,” introduced by Karl Marx, entered people’s minds and led the revolution
Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin takes over

12. The Romanov Family was Arrested and Executed…
…ALL of them

13. Russia turned to Communism
subheading
Russia turned to Communism
Lenin dies in 1924
Leon Trotsky (hero of the revolution) and Joseph Stalin struggle for power
Stalin becomes dictator and rules with an “iron fist” (vicious military tactics)
Exiles Trotsky
Russia enters WWII

16. What is oppression?
Cruel or unjust authority against a group of people

17. What groups of people can you think of that are facing oppression?
Afghani Refugees Darfur Refugees

18. What about oppressed animals?

19. Which brings us to the novel we are reading…Animal Farm by George Orwell