Animal Farm Historical Background

The Russian Revolution

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.

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

Czar Nicholas II

• Believed he was the unquestionable leader of Russia appointed by God

• Ordered unarmed protesters murdered in the streets in 1905

Karl Marx:

The Father of Communism

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

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

Communism

•Form of government that has a classless society•Everyone is equal; no rich and no poor•The Bolsheviks, or revolutionaries, adopted this idea.

Bolsheviks

•The Bolsheviks - an organization formed by the revolting people, or revolutionaries, of Russia.•Bolsheviks were led by Vladimir Lenin.

Vladimir Lenin

• Lenin adopted Marx’s ideas.

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

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

Vladimir Lenin

• Understands the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans:

• “Workers of the world unite!”

• “Land, bread, and peace for everyone!”

Vladimir Lenin

• Changes Russia’s name to the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

• When Lenin died, there was a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin.

Lenin’s Death

•Lenin died in 1924, leaving the Bolsheviks leaderless.•This caused a power struggle between two other revolutionaries, Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin.

Leon Trotsky

•A revolutionary who was popular with the people•Wanted to make life better for all by industrializing Russia

Leon Trotsky

• Pure communist, followed Marx

• Wanted to improve life for all in Russia

• Favors world revolution

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

Joseph Stalin

• Not a skilled speaker and not educated like Trotsky

• Does not follow Marx’s ideas

• Cares for power, kills all who oppose him

• Uses KGB, allows church, and propagandized

Propaganda Department of Stalin’s government

• Work for Stalin to support his image

• Lies to convince the people to follow Stalin

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

Josef Stalin

•Lied to people to gain support •People believed his lies and promises, so he beat Trotsky in the power struggle•Stalin had Trotsky exiled from Russia. He feared Trotsky would try to regain power, so he eventually had him killed.

Stalin, cont’d…

•Stalin grew more and more powerful over the years.•He began eliminating anyone who opposed him.•He set up a secret police to carry out his deadly orders.

NKVD (KGB)

•Stalin’s secret police•Killed, tortured, starved, intimidated anyone Stalin ordered•Completely loyal to StalinNot really police, but forced to support StalinEventually, they chase Trotsky away

Stalin’s Rule

•Stalin became so greedy, he lost the original vision of the revolutionaries •Millions of innocent people were killed under his rule•Ironically, he made Russia worse off than it had been before the Czar•Stalin became known as one of the most ruthless dictators in history, comparable to Hitler

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