Animal Farm Historical Background

1
Animal Farm Historical Background

• The Russian Revolution

2
Russian Society

• Russia was in an appalling state of poverty while
  the Czar, the ruler of Russia lived in luxury.
• There was tremendous dissatisfaction among the
  people.

3
Czar Nicholas II

• A poor leader, at best, when compared to western
  leaders
• Cruel - sometimes brutal with opponents
• Sometimes kind - hired poor students as spies to
  help them make money

4
Czar Nicholas II

• Believed he was the unquestionable leader of
  Russia appointed by God
• Ordered unarmed protesters murdered in the
  streets in 1905

5

• Karl Marx
• The Father of Communism

6
Karl Marx

• Invented Communism
• His vision Everyone would have what they needed,
  and no one citizen would possess more than
  another.
• 1848 Published an influential pamphlet called
  the Communist Manifesto

7
Karl Marx

• believed that the private ownership of land must
  be abolished
• believed in Communal way of life where everyone
  shares in prosperity
• Dies before Russian Revolution

8
Communism

• All people are seen as equal.
• Government owns everything-people own government

9
Vladimir Lenin

• Lenin adopted Marxs ideas.
• He believed that the bourgeoisie (middle class
  with money) exploited the workers and must
  therefore be overthrown.

10
Vladimir Lenin Rise to Power

• One of the leaders of the Bolshevik party since
  its formation in 1903
• Led the Soviets to power in October, 1917 (The
  October Revolution)
• Tried to manipulate all movement and
  communication within the country by taking
  control of the railroads and telegraph lines
• (This would secure state authority for the
  Bolsheviks.)
• Forbade the holding of private property

11
Vladimir Lenin

• Understands the emotional impact of simple,
  powerful slogans
• Workers of the world unite!
• Land, bread, and peace for everyone!

12
Vladimir Lenin

• Changes Russias name to the USSR (Union of
  Soviet Socialist Republics)
• When Lenin died, there was a power struggle
  between Trotsky and Stalin.

13
Leon Trotsky

• Pure communist, followed Marx
• Wanted to improve life for all in Russia
• Favors world revolution

14
Leon Trotsky

• Trotsky was a brilliant public speaker
• With Lenin, he succeeded in overthrowing the
  government in October 1917.
• Lenin was the President, and Trotsky the
  Commissar for Foreign Affairs

15
Joseph Stalin

• Not a skilled speaker and not educated like
  Trotsky
• Does not follow Marxs ideas
• Cares for power, kills all who oppose him
• Uses KGB, allows church, and propagandized

16
Propaganda Department of Stalins government

• Work for Stalin to support his image
• Lies to convince the people to follow Stalin

17
Joseph Stalin

• Stalin continually opposes Trotsky
• Craves power, willing to kill for it
• Benefits from the fact that education is
  controlled
• Secures his power base, and engineers the
  permanent exile of his adversary, Trotsky, in
  1929

18
KGB-Secret Police

• Not really police, but forced to support Stalin
• Used force, often killed entire families for
  disobedience
• Totally loyal, part of Lenins power, even over
  army
• Eventually, they chase Trotsky away

19
Civil War

• From 1918 1921 there was civil war in Russia
• Foreign countries including Britain, France,
  Poland and USA were alarmed at the spread of
  communism but the Red Army (the Bolsheviks) led
  by Trotsky proved successful