Historical Background Animal Farm Historical Background

Fable vs. Satire The novel may appear as a simple ______ (a brief story told to teach a lesson using animals); however, the book can be read as a satire on the attempts made by humans to create a perfect society in an imperfect world. Revolution took place in _________ in 1917

19th Century Philosopher ________ ________ (1818-1883) envisioned a classless society Wrote The Communist Manifesto; Marx predicted a revolution of the proletariats (the class of workers, esp. industrial wage earners, who do not possess capital or property and must sell their labor to survive) against ______________ who exploited their labor for profit.

Old Major’s Speech in Chapter 1 Marx’s theories of ___________ struggle _____________ represent workers and humans represent opposing class

The _________ family Czar Nicholas took throne in ______ after his father died Married Princess Alexandra the same year (daughter of Queen ___________) Five children: four girls (including Anastasia) and finally a son Alexsei (hemophiliac)

World War I World War I began in ________, and Czar Nicholas Romanov took control of the army in 1915. Left matters to Czarina Alexandra and her advisor ______________. Discontent spread throughout Russia. The army was tired of war, and food shortages worsened.

Who was Rasputin? A _____________ who claimed powers of healing and prediction Rasputin was able to help with Alexsei’s hemophilia Many people disapproved of Czarina’s relationship with Rasputin Eventually he was _________________

Russian Revolution of 1917 Russia suffered devastating losses in the war 30,000 people killed a ___________ Discontent spread throughout Russia ___________ was abdicated

Communist Party Takes Control Led by Vladimir _____________ Communism is the control of goods and services (commodities) through a government that produces only to serve the people. It is total ________________. Communism is abolition of private property, meaning that resources (minerals, coal, oil) and production (factories, plants, refineries), are ____________ in common by the people. There are generally no ____________ except on a few extremely wealthy individuals. It is a government mainly for the ______________ class and the common people. Housing is also generally free along with health care. Eventually wages and pay from working are eliminated and people are taught to work for the common good.

What is the problem with communism? Human nature Impossible for every man to be __________; we all have different strengths No ________________ _________________ leaders

Civil War in Russia 1917-1921 Anti-Bolsheviks (___________) wage war against the Bolsheviks (__________) Red Army led by ___________ defeated the Whites Battle of ________________ in novel is civil war between Reds and Whites Lenin died in _________ (his body entombed in glass coffin like Old Major’s skull is placed on display)

Struggle for Power Leon ___________ and Joseph ___________ struggle for control Trotsky ____________ Stalin denounced Trotsky as a ____________ (Napoleon vs. Snowball) Eventually killed with ice pick? ____________ takes over