1. George Orwell’s
Animal Farm

2. About George Orwell Pen name of Eric Blair Also authored 1984
Fought in the Spanish Civil War ( )
Was a democratic, but disillusioned British socialist.
Wrote Animal Farm (1945), an allegory, at the height of the Soviet Union’s popularity and initially had trouble finding a publisher.

3. Historical Background
Russian, early 20th century
A weakened monarchy
Rise of the middle class – teachers, lawyers, business men, doctors, and so on
The move from an agrarian society to an industrial one

4. Historical Background
Russian Revolutions of 1917
February – overthrew the Czar Nicholas II and the Romanov dynasty that had been in power since Established a “provisional government.”
October – “The Bolshevik Revolution” established the first Communist state, or the Soviet Union.
The bourgeoisie and upper-class fled to the West

5. Historical Background
Major Players
Karl Marx – originated modern communist thought. Died before the revolution.
Vladimir Lenin – led Bolshevik Revolution; first head of the USSR

6. Historical Background
Major Players
Joseph Stalin – became despot of the USSR after Lenin’s death. He used propaganda.
Leon Trotsky – organized the Bolshevik Revolution

7. Historical Background
Russian, 1919
Stalin eliminates democratic pretenses and seizes more control.
Russia during the 1920s
Implementation of a “command economy”
Conflict between Stalin and Trotsky
Creation of a secret service
Russia during the 1930s
Famine ( )
The Great Purge, launched by Stalin
An alliance with Nazi Germany
Vsevolod Meyerhold

8. Important Concepts Socialism
demands state ownership and control of the fundamental means of production and distribution of wealth
Operates under a “command economy,” where the state determines the distribution of resources.
Nationalization of natural resources, basic industries, banking and credit facilities, and public utilities, industry and trade
The proletariat (working class) overthrows the ruling government
Leaves no place for religion. Karl Marx called religion the “opiate of the people.”

9. Major Characters Old Major Napoleon Snowball Boxer & Clover Mollie
Mr. Jones
Moses the raven
Benjamin
Squealer
Frederick & Pilkington