1. Animal Farm Historical Background
The Russian Revolution

2. Russian Revolution
By 1917, Russia was in an appalling state of poverty while the Czar, the ruler of Russia lived in luxury.
There was tremendous dissatisfaction among the people.
This lead to a series of revolutions that dismantled the tsarist rule and eventually replaced it with a Marxist state
February Revolution: Brought an end to tsarist rule and set up a provisional government
Bolshevik Revolution: leftist revolutionaries led by  Vladimir Lenin launched a nearly bloodless coup against the provisional government. The Bolsheviks and their allies soon formed a new government with Lenin as its head.

3. Czar Nicholas II
A poor leader, at best, when compared to western leaders
Cruel - sometimes brutal with opponents
Sometimes kind - hired poor students as spies to help them make money

4. Believed he was the unquestionable leader of Russia appointed by God
Czar Nicholas II
Believed he was the unquestionable leader of Russia appointed by God
Ordered unarmed protesters murdered in the streets in 1905

5. The Father of Communism
Karl Marx:
The Father of Communism

6. 1848– Published an influential pamphlet called the Communist Manifesto
Karl Marx
Invented Communism
All people are seen as equal.
Government owns everything-people own government
His vision– Everyone would have what they needed, and no one citizen would possess more than another.
1848– Published an influential pamphlet called the Communist Manifesto

7. believed that the private ownership of land must be abolished
Karl Marx
believed that the private ownership of land must be abolished
believed in “Communal” way of life where everyone shares in prosperity
Dies before Russian Revolution

8. Joseph Stalin Not a skilled speaker and not educated like Trotsky
Does not follow Marx’s ideas
Cares for power, kills all who oppose him
Uses KGB, allows church, and propagandized

9. Joseph Stalin
Stalin continually opposes Trotsky
Craves power, willing to kill for it
Benefits from the fact that education is controlled
Secures his power base, and engineers the permanent exile of his adversary, Trotsky, in 1929

10. Vladimir Lenin Lenin adopted Marx’s ideas.
He believed that the bourgeoisie (middle class with money) exploited the workers and must therefore be overthrown.

11. Vladimir Lenin: Rise to Power
One of the leaders of the Bolshevik party since its formation in 1903
Led the Soviets to power in October, 1917 (The October Revolution)
Tried to manipulate all movement and communication within the country by taking control of the railroads and telegraph lines
(This would secure state authority for the Bolsheviks.)
Forbade the holding of private property

12. Understands the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans:
Vladimir Lenin
Understands the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans:
“Workers of the world unite!”
“Land, bread, and peace for everyone!”

13. Vladimir Lenin
Changes Russia’s name to the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)
When Lenin died, there was a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin.

14. Pure communist, followed Marx Wanted to improve life for all in Russia
Leon Trotsky
Pure communist, followed Marx
Wanted to improve life for all in Russia
Favors world revolution

15. Trotsky was a brilliant public speaker
Leon Trotsky
Trotsky was a brilliant public speaker
With Lenin, he succeeded in overthrowing the government in October 1917.
Lenin was the President, and Trotsky the Commissar for Foreign Affairs

16. The Five-Year Plan
In 1928, he imposed the first of several “five-year plans” to:
Build up heavy industry
Improve transportation
Increase farm output
He brought all economic activity under government control, calling it a command economy, the opposite of a capitalist system.
Although The Soviet Union experienced tremendous growth in industry, quality of life was very low for most people. Due to poor planning, there were shortages of goods. Consumer products were scarce, wages were low, and workers were forbidden to strike.