Animal Farm vs Russian Revolution: A Comparative Analysis

Orwells Animal Farm VS. The Russian Revolution Mr. White

Russian Society Russia was in an appalling state of poverty while the Tsar lived in luxury. There was tremendous dissatisfaction.

Czar Nicholas II A poor leader at best, compared to western leaders Cruel - sometimes brutal with opponents Sometimes kind - hired students as spies to make $

Nicholas II Believed he was the unquestionable leader of Russia appointed by God. Had unarmed protesters murdered in the streets in 1905.

KARL MARX: THE FATHER OF COMMUNISM

Marx Marx believed that the private ownership of land must be abolished.

Marx Believed in Communal way of life where everyone shares in prosperity.

Marx Invented Communism Workers of the world unite", take over gov't Dies before Russian Revolution

Communism All people equal Government owns everything, People own government

Lenin Lenin adopted Marx s ideas. He believed that the bourgeoisie (middle class) exploited the workers and must therefore be overthrown.

Lenin Lenin understood the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans like workers of the world unite

Lenin Changed Russia s name to the USSR

Lenin Dies When Lenin died, there was a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin. It is believed Lenin ordered Nicholas II murdered

Leon Trotsky One of the leaders of "October Revolution along with Lenin and Stalin Believed in pure communism, followed Marx

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

Commissar Former name of a head of a government department in the Soviet Union. Like Secretary of State Colin Powell

Trotsky favored world revolution.

Trotsky Wanted to improve life for all in Russia Chased away by Lenin's KGB (Lenin's secret police)

Civil War From 1918 1921 there was civil war. 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.

Stalin continually opposed Trotsky

Joseph Stalin Average speaker, not educated like Trotsky Didn't exactly follow Marx's ideas

Stalin Craved power, willing to kill for it Used KGB, allowed church, and propagandized

Propaganda Department of Stalin s government Worked for Stalin to support his image Lied to convince the people to follow Stalin

Stalin Benefited from the fact that education was controlled

Stalin takes Control In his sinister way, Stalin secured his power base, and engineered the permanent exile of Trotsky in 1929.

The exiled Trotsky was still very useful to Stalin as he now had Trotsky to blame for all the problems and difficulties that Russia suffered.

Politburo : This was the policy-making body of the Communist party s Central Committee. In reality it was merely a force to carry out Stalin s orders and secure his position as dictator.

Cheka/OGPU/NKVD/KGB : These were the various names/ initials given to the secret police during Stalin s dictatorship.

KGB - Secret Police Not really police, but forced all to support Stalin Used force, often killed entire families for disobedience Totally loyal, part of Lenin's power, even over army

Religion Marx said religion was the "Opiate of the people" and a lie Used to make people not complain and do their work

Religion Religion was tolerated because people would work and not complain Stalin knew religion would stop violent revolutions

Dedicated, but tricked communist supporters People believed Stalin because he was "Communist" Many stayed loyal after it was obvious Stalin a tyrant Betrayed by Stalin who ignored and killed them

Overall details of Russian Revolution Supposed to fix problems from Czar Life was even worse long after revolution Stalin made Czar look like a nice guy

Kulaks : These were the land-owning peasants who did not want their farms to be collectivized after the revolution. From 1929, Stalin began to exterminate them as a class.

5 Year Plans From 1927-1932, new economic plans, called the five-year plans, were introduced. The purpose was to improve industry

Germany and Great Britain : Stalin negotiated with both Germany and Great Britain. The Russo-German pact of August 1939 allowed Russia to occupy eastern Poland while Germany occupied the rest.

Germany and Great Britain On 22 June, 1941, Germany attacked her ally Russia without warning. Thus the unholy alliance between Nazism and Communism fell apart and Russia formed an alliance with Britain and the USA.

Cold War begins The Tehran conference in 1943 presented the Soviet Union, Britain and America as allies. However, by the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union became an enemy of its allies as the Cold War intensified.

Essential Questions

#1 Who had the ideas in the beginning that inspired the rebellions?

#2 What are the real enemies of Communism according to Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Trotsky?

#3 and #4 Who does Stalin blame anytime a problem arises? Why do you think Stalin blames this person?

#5 and #6 Who would you associate with this quote? Marx, Lenin Stalin or Trotsky? Why did you choose that person? All men are equal but some are more equal than others

#7 Compare the lives of Russians when they live under Czar Nicholas and when they live under Stalin.

#8 Who is this? Tells of a dream that leads to Rebellion and inspires others.

#9 Who is this? Leader of the rebellion that drives out Czar Nicholas II.

#10 Who is this? Leader of Rebellion that is driven out of Russia and later killed in Mexico.

#11 Who is this? Leader of the Rebellion that drives out his competition and starts to purge those that disagree or may disagree with him.

#12 Who is this? Branch of Government that enforces Stalin s rules.

Who is Who Mr. Jones- Czar Nicholas II Old Major- Lenin Snowball- Trotsky Napoleon- Stalin