Animal Farm: The Political Background

Capitalism An economic system characterized by: Private or corporate ownership of resources and means of production Prices, production, and the distribution of goods are determined mainly by competition in a free market Goal is to use profits to expand business thus creating more jobs and wealth Distribution of profits is determined by owners Often results in the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer

Socialism The means of production, distribution and exchange are mostly owned by the government, and used, in theory, on behalf of the people Belief that capitalism is unfair because it concentrates wealth in a few hands and doesn’t protect the overall welfare of the majority Therefore, the state redistributes the wealth of society in a more equitable way, according to the judgement of the legislator

Communism A system of government characterized by: Collective ownership of property (both material and intellectual) Organization of labor for the advantage of all members Goal of erasing inequalities in the possession of property, by distributing all wealth equally to all “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.”

Totalitarianism A form of government with a strong central rule that attempts to control individuals by means of violence or repression The government pursues a specific goal no matter the cost to others Participation in government-approved organization becomes required Large-scale violence is often used to protect the government’s ideas and achieve its goals Groups of individuals are singled out and blamed for the government’s troubles. They are persecuted or killed.

Political Changes in Russia Capitalism Socialism Communism Totalitarianism

Monarchy Under Czar Nicholas II

Privatized Farms and Industry (owned by aristocracy) 1 man Power Wealth CZAR Aristocracy Military Agriculture Industry – Proletariat – Workers from Privatized Farms and Industry (owned by aristocracy) Powerless Poor Millions of People

Monarchy Under Czar Nicholas II 1914-1917 Czar Nicholas was dictator of Russia Czar = “power from God”

Monarchy Under Czar Nicholas II Russia lagged behind other modernized countries in: Industrialization Government Education

Monarchy Under Czar Nicholas II Majority of population faced poverty, hunger, and unemployment WWI Lost territory from war Food & resources going to troops

Monarchy Under Czar Nicholas II Revolts led by hungry workers erupted across Russia 1917 – Czar Nicolas II was overthrown

The Russian Revolution Bolsheviks, under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Joseph Stalin proceeded to structure a Communist country as envisioned by Karl Marx

Communism Envisioned by Karl Marx

Self-governance Power Wealth Collectively Owned Agriculture No Man Self-governance Power Wealth Collectively Owned Agriculture Collectively Owned Industry Mandatory Military Service For All Citizens

Communism Envisioned by Karl Marx The communists hoped that after updating their country’s industry, agriculture, & military, a populace of educated people could successfully govern themselves and collectively own the combined wealth of their nation

Communism Envisioned by Karl Marx It was a uptopian type dream where a classless society provided all its citizens with comfortable and meaningful life.

Transitional Rule Under Vladimir Lenin

Agriculture Modernization Industry Modernization 1 man Power Wealth Lenin Communist Party Agriculture Modernization Industry Modernization Military Modernization Powerless Poor Workers are quickly absorbed Into Agriculture, Industry, and Military Millions of People

The Russian Revolution Soviets gain popular support by promising: Land Bread Peace

Transitional Rule Under Lenin Their main goals were as follows: Modernize industry and agriculture Get rid of the aristocracy (middle & upper classes) Provide adequate food, shelter, and medical services to the poor Educated the population in the ways of Communism Strengthen their military

Transitional Rule Under Lenin 1918: The Red Army, led by Leon Trotsky, identified and executed suspected anti-communists. 1918-1921: Civil War erupted between the Communists and their opposition 1922: Lenin died before he could see a new Russia emerge

Transitional Rule Under Lenin A power struggled developed between Trotsky and Stalin Trotsky was run out of the country by Stalin whose powers lie in his infamous secret police or “cheka” (KBG).

Communist Rule Under Joseph Stalin

Government Farms and Industry 1 man Power Wealth Stalin Secret Police (KGB) Military Agriculture Industry Powerless – Proletariat – Workers from Government Farms and Industry (owned by Stalin) Poor Millions of People

Communist Rule Under Stalin The Russia that Stalin developed was renamed the Soviet Union, and was not the same country that Lenin had hoped for.

Communist Rule Under Stalin 1928 Stalin’s “Five Year Plans” Designed to bring Russia into the industrial age

Communist Rule Under Stalin Stalin maintained power by using political and social terror KGB, Checka, and system of spies

Communist Rule Under Stalin The Purges High ranking officials were arrested, forced to confess to false charges, and then executed Stalin was seen as protecting Russia

Communist Rule Under Stalin In addition to his campaign of terror, Stalin also controlled all media sources. Stalin could effectively rewrite history to suit his political/military needs.

Relationship with other countries

Non-Aggression Pact Agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939 Stalin did not want a way while he was building up his nation and Germany wanted to invade Poland. Broken when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941

United States Alliance between Soviet Union, Engiand, and the United States during WWII called “The Big Three” United States did not recognize the Soviet Union until 1933