The Russian Revolution Allegory in Animal Farm English I Honors

Who Could Be Who? Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution Allegory: A symbolic story; meanings lie outside of the narrative. As we read Animal Farm, brainstorm which characters represent the real people or ideas from History…

General Overview: 1917 WWI – Famine & economic collapse Czar Nicholas II brutally oppressed the people February Revolution Overthrew Czar Nicholas II (monarchy) Established a provisional government October Revolution Bolsheviks (Communists) overthrew provisional government Eventually, became a dictatorship.

Key People Karl Marx Czar Nicholas II Believed capitalism produced tension between classes A “workers state” would reduce social tension Socialism/Communism Died in 1883 – Revolution occurred in 1917 Mistrusted religion – “Opiate of the people” Czar Nicholas II Highly reactionary “Bloody Sunday” Supported WWI

Government owns everything, people own the government Communism One social class All people are equal Government owns everything, people own the government

Key People Continued Josef Stalin Leon Trotsky Rose to power in 1924 Ruled as a dictator Directed the economy (“planned economy”) Lead “Great Purge” in 1930s – disposed of opponents, traitors, etc. Used NVKD  Secret Police known for brutality. Used propaganda Leon Trotsky Lead October Revolution with Lenin Believed in Marx’s theory of socialism Vocally opposed Stalin Forced out of Russia by Stalin Was murdered by the NVKD (Stalin’s police force)

Overall details of the Russian Revolution It was suppose to make life better for all Life was worse at the end Supposed to fix problems that existed under Czarist rule Life was even worse long after the revolution Stalin made the Czar look like a nice guy