Background Information on Animal Farm

George Orwell ( ) Pen name of Eric Blair Pen name of Eric Blair Grew up in British India Grew up in British India First worked for British empire in Burma, then moved to Europe to write First worked for British empire in Burma, then moved to Europe to write Volunteered in Spanish Civil War and opposed Soviet communist influence there Volunteered in Spanish Civil War and opposed Soviet communist influence there Democratic socialist Democratic socialist Wrote Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949) Wrote Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949)

Animal Farm (1945) A reaction to Orwell’s experiences in the Spanish Civil War A reaction to Orwell’s experiences in the Spanish Civil War Expresses his political beliefs against totalitarianism and Stalinist communism- meant to be a cautionary tale Expresses his political beliefs against totalitarianism and Stalinist communism- meant to be a cautionary tale Characters and plot represent people and events from Russian Revolution (but can also connect to China) Characters and plot represent people and events from Russian Revolution (but can also connect to China)

Karl Marx and Communism German philosopher who observed evils of Industrial Revolution in 1800s England German philosopher who observed evils of Industrial Revolution in 1800s England Wrote the Communist Manifesto (1848) with Friedrich Engels Wrote the Communist Manifesto (1848) with Friedrich Engels –History as eternal class struggle –Capitalism would fail and the proletariat would eventually rise up to create a classless society

Capitalism vs. Socialism vs. Communism Capitalism Individuals make most economic decisions Based on private ownership of resources and pursuit of profit Lack of govt. intervention Lack of govt. interventionSocialism Govt. makes many economic decisions in attempt to achieve equality Govt. makes many economic decisions in attempt to achieve equality Govt. owns and control basic resources; limited private property Govt. owns and control basic resources; limited private property Communism Govt. makes all economic decisions in attempt to achieve equality Govt. makes all economic decisions in attempt to achieve equality Govt. owns and controls all resources; no private property Govt. owns and controls all resources; no private property Often supported by totalitarian govt. Often supported by totalitarian govt.

Communist Revolution in Russia When: 1917 When: 1917 Causes: Causes: –Inequality –Poverty –Poor working conditions –Lack of modernity –Pogroms –Totalitarian rule by Czar Nicholas II –World War I How: Various revolutionary groups rose up and put pressure on czar to abdicate How: Various revolutionary groups rose up and put pressure on czar to abdicate "Working people arise!" by V. Serov

Abdication and Revolution Czar gave up position Czar gave up position Provisional govt. established, but couldn’t address country’s problems Provisional govt. established, but couldn’t address country’s problems Vladimir Lenin and Bolsheviks (a group of socialists) wanted full- scale revolution and organized Red Guards to take over prov. govt. Vladimir Lenin and Bolsheviks (a group of socialists) wanted full- scale revolution and organized Red Guards to take over prov. govt. Lenin’s Slogan- “Land, Peace and Bread”

Civil War in Russia: Lenin & the Bolsheviks’ govt. takeover led to civil war Lenin & the Bolsheviks’ govt. takeover led to civil war “Reds” vs. “Whites” (non-communists) “Reds” vs. “Whites” (non-communists) –Red Army eventually defeated the Whites –≈15 million died of war & famine

Formation of the Soviet Union (USSR) Lenin became absolute ruler and introduced communist economy Lenin became absolute ruler and introduced communist economy –Banned most private property –Collectivized agriculture  Took land from peasants  Small farmers (kulaks) resisted  Food supply decreased "The dreams of the nation have come true."

Changes in the Soviet Union’s Leadership Lenin suffered a stoke in led to debate over who new leader would be Lenin suffered a stoke in led to debate over who new leader would be –Leon Trotsky seen as leading candidate; brilliant and more theoretical –Joseph Stalin underestimated; more practical and cunning Trotsky (above) Stalin (below )

Joseph Stalin Gains Control Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili = Joseph Stalin (“Man of Steel”) Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili = Joseph Stalin (“Man of Steel”) –Socialist, arrested repeatedly –Gained power through involvement in administrative functions of Communist Party –Allied himself with two other powerful leaders to beat Trotsky –Gained full control of govt. in 1929 " If the opposition disarms, well and good. If it refuses to disarm, we shall disarm it ourselves." - Stalin

Stalin’s Harsh Rule Dictator from Dictator from Used harsh tactics to root out opponents and create a totalitarian state Used harsh tactics to root out opponents and create a totalitarian state –Secret police –Purges (political executions) –Gulags (slave labor camps) –Propaganda and censorship Achieved industrial growth but responsible for death of 20 million Achieved industrial growth but responsible for death of 20 million

Effects of Russian Revolution On Russia: Led to development of communist economy and some economic development Led to development of communist economy and some economic development Led to totalitarianism Led to totalitarianism On Other Places: Inspired communist revolutions in China, Cuba, etc. Inspired communist revolutions in China, Cuba, etc. Led to fear of communism in US and development of Cold War Led to fear of communism in US and development of Cold War