Animal Farm: Historical Context The Russian Revolution

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.

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

The Romanov Sisters

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

Rasputin: The Mad Monk Charismatic healer subheading 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

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

1916 Murder: The Mad Monk’s End subheading 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 3 - 4 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

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….

Revolution broke out in 1917, led by the Bolsheviks

People Dissatisfied Revolution subheading 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

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

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

1939 - 1945

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

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

What about oppressed animals?

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