Animal Farm “It struck me that if only such animals became aware of their strength we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the worker.” - George Orwell on how he came to write Animal Farm

Are we reading a children’s book? Animal Farm is one of those unique books with multiple meanings. Animal Farm is a story about farm animals who get fed up with their brutal farmer and overthrow the farm. BUT…the meaning goes deeper…

Animal Farm is a satire about world politics and a commentary on the relevance of independent thought, truth and justice. Animal Farm is also an allegory of the Russian Revolution.

What is an allegory? An allegory is a narrative that can be read on more than one level. Can you think of any other stories you may have read that are allegories?

Animal Farm is also Satirical In a satire, the writer attacks a serious issue by presenting it in a ridiculous light or otherwise poking fun at the issue. George Orwell pokes fun at many key figures in the Russian Revolution.

Allegory and Satire In Our World Allegory: DBLo DBLo Satire: rRdw rRdw

So If Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution…. You need to know a bit about the Russian Revolution!

A Little Information About the Russian Revolution Early in the 1900’’s Russia was ruled by a Czar, Nicholas II.

Nicholas does not do well in the polls. Nicholas was not a popular leader (think George W. Bush). Many Russians were struggling to simply survive under the oppressive government that Nicholas was running.

Typically, when people are upset about their government, they revolt! By 1917 a revolution broke out in Russia. The people spoke! This photo shows demonstrators in the streets of Petrograd. This photo was taken at demonstration after the government opened fire on demonstrators with machine guns.

Lenin leads the revolt. Vladmir Lenin became the leader of the “new Russia.” Unfortunately, Lenin died in 1924.

Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky both want to take over where Lenin left off…

Stalin and Trotsky have very different ideas about how the country should be led. Stalin- exercise power through regulations and rules, technological advancements Trotsky- a masterful military strategist and inspirational leader, limited government control

Stalin Wins the Battle! Through force and fear…. Stalin becomes leader of Russia! Deports Trotsky Stalin even went so far as to remove any trace of Trotsky from Soviet history. He took down photos of Trotsky and even censored newspapers and used his own newspaper, Pravda, to control information.

During Stalin’s Rule Control over labor force Feared opposition- many wealthy citizens initially fled Citizens lacked independence and ownership, of businesses and land

Propaganda Information of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. Promoted the communist party Goal was to create a “new man”

Stalin’s Paranoia Stalin used the NKVD to weed out “opponents” Carried out executions Ran the gulags Many were NOT guilty!

But Stalin proves to be a bully of a leader… Stalin wanted to move Russia (now known as the Soviet Union) into an industrial age. His goal was to keep up with other countries so he created a “Five Year Plan.” In five years, Stalin wanted the Soviet Union modernized, like the rest of the world. The problem was, Stalin did not do this in a democratic manner. He seized land of citizens…

The problem was, Stalin did not do this in a democratic manner. He seized land, took control of newspapers, schools, and all freedoms the citizens of the Soviet Union may have had. He told the citizens that this total control was for the good of the country…. Does this sound familiar?

Stalin became consumed with his own power. Stalin wanted to “Westernize” the Soviet Union. But he was torn because at the time another vicious leader rose to power. Adolf Hitler. Hitler convinced Stalin to pledge himself to Hitler by signing a “non-aggression” pact. Both men agreed never to invade each other’s country.

As we all know…Hitler was deceitful! True to form, Hilter broke his promise to Stalin and in 1941 invaded the Soviet Union. Now Stalin had to go running to Western Allies in need of help. Ultimately, the Soviet armies forced Hitler out of the Soviet Union, but the battles were not without loss. The Soviet Union was devastated.

Education is Key! Think back to Anthem by Ayn Rand A scared society is an obedient society A hungry society is an obedient society Stalin died in 1953 Power struggle followed