Animal Farm By George Orwell

Russian Definitions Czar Nicholas II Communist Manifesto Bolsheviks USSR Cheka Pravda Purge Scapegoat “King” of Russia Book of the philosophy of communism by Marx Lenin’s followers Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Secret police Propagandist paper Mass murder A person or group blamed to distract from the real guilty party

THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONARIES

A philosopher who believed: Karl Marx (1818-1883) A philosopher who believed: “Poor people do most of the work, but rich people get the rewards” The only fair solution is that there would be “no rich and no poor” Reactions to his ideas: “Naturally, most rich people didn’t like Marx’s ideas. They saw no reason to change a system that made them comfortable.” “Working people…saw hope in his ideas” Realities of his ideas: “Many leaders adopted these philosophies.” (Soviet Union and China) “Marxist leaders horded wealth just as the old leaders.” “people in these countries were not free to make choices. They could not disagree with their leaders. They worked hard, but could not make money for themselves. Instead they had to work for the state and receive what the state gave them.” 1994 Perfection Learning Corporation, Logan, Iowa

“When Lenin was growing up in Russia, most people were very poor.” Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) Growing up: “When Lenin was growing up in Russia, most people were very poor.” While the Czar was wealthy the peasants suffered with little hope of a better future. Revolting: “World War I caused more misery…Because of these hardships, the people were looking for a leader who offered new ideas. Lenin became such a leader.” He based many of his ideas on the writings of Karl Marx. Lenin led his followers, called the Bolsheviks, in a revolution against Czar Nicholas II. Leading: Once in power Lenin “built factories and introduced new ways to farm.” “In order to succeed in these much-needed reforms, Lenin became a dictator.” Death: When Lenin died after a series of strokes precipitated by an assassination attempt, “the Soviet Union had come out of the Dark Ages, but its people were still poor.” 1994 Perfection Learning Corporation, Logan, Iowa

Partnership with Lenin: Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) Partnership with Lenin: A friend of Lenin, Trotsky organized the army that won” the revolution. “Trotsky was popular with the people.” “He believed in industrializing the country, but wanted to give the people time to adjust to all the changes.” Expectation vs. Reality: On his dead bed, Lenin intended Trotsky to continue the work they had begun together. Joseph Stalin disagreed with Trotsky’s goals and struggled with Trotsky for power. “Stalin won and sent Trotsky into exile.” “In later years, whenever there were problems, Stalin blamed them on Trotsky’s policies…if they were hungry, it was Trotsky’s fault.” Death: Trotsky settled in Mexico after his exile. Fearing that he would one day regain power, Stalin sent the secret police to murder Trotsky who died in May after being stabbed by an assassin with an ice pick. 1994 Perfection Learning Corporation, Logan, Iowa

Movement of Power Czar Nicholas II Lenin Stalin “King” of Russia Overthrown by Lenin Lenin Revolutionary who revolted against the Czar with the help of Trotsky Established the USSR Stalin Seized power after Lenin’s death Established a Communist government

Joseph Stalin (1879-1953) Seizing of the throne: After the Russian Revolution, Stalin worked with Lenin “to create the new Soviet Union and the Communist Party.” “The other party leaders did not like or trust Stalin. They thought he was cold and brutal. Lenin planned to remove him from office but died before he could do so.” After defeating Trotsky, Stalin went on to rule as “one of the most feared dictators in history” for “more than 25 years.” Establish policies: Stalin “believed in Marxism and hated capitalist countries.” Stalin “introduced a series of ‘five year plans’ to bring industry to the Soviet Union. The plans succeeded but the people suffered.” “Consumer goods were scarce. People stood in long lines just to buy bread. The only people who lived well were Stalin’s followers.” “Even people who worked with Stalin feared him. He demanded absolute loyalty.” “He allowed no one to disagree with his polices. He used the secret police to spy on his opponents. “Stalin ordered thousands of people murdered. He sent many others to prison camps. People in the camps often died from beatings and starvation.”

Legacy: Stalin died from a series of strokes in his old age which left him paralyzed and unable to speak. Medical treatment was slow to arrive as his guards feared to check on him without begin called, upon finding him they worried about their authority in calling a doctor, and finally, the best doctors in Russia had recently been captured and sent to a prison camp to await execution. “By the time Stalin died, he was more powerful than any Russian czar” He reigned with fear using the following techniques: Purges (millions killed in mass executions) Forced famine Heavy censorship Encouraging citizens to spy on one another Alienate children from their parents

“A single death is a tragedy, a million is a statistic” Joseph Stalin Hitler is responsible for more than 12 million deaths Stalin is responsible for more than 50 million deaths.