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The Russian Revolution of 1917. The Allegory in Animal Farm. History of Russian Revolution. The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of political events that resulted in the formation of the Bolshevik party. The Bolshevik party eventually came to be known as the Communist party.
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The Russian Revolution of 1917 The Allegory in Animal Farm
History of Russian Revolution • The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of political events that resulted in the formation of the Bolshevik party. • The Bolshevik party eventually came to be known as the Communist party. • The Bolsheviks were extremely socialist (political power exercised by the whole community) and resisted the traditional views of Russian statehood and religion.
History of Russian Revolution • The Bolsheviks gained power and established the U.S.S.R (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), which lasted until its termination in 1991.
February Revolution of 1917 • The February Revolution in 1917 displaced the authority of Czar Nicholas II, one of the last “effective” rulers of Russia. • The rebellion was caused by protests against war and the citizens’ anger at meager food supplies.
October Revolution of 1917 • The October Revolution was headed by Vladimir Lenin and was based upon the ideas of Karl Marx, who believed that the workers of the world should unite to take over the government. • The October Revolution finished what was started in the February Revolution and replaced the provisional government with a communist one. • After Lenin’s death, Joseph Stalin gained control of the USSR.
Allegory in Animal Farm George Orwell’s satire Animal Farm is an allegory that recounts the events and figures of the Russian Revolution. Each character in the novel symbolizes a certain idea or figure from the Russian Revolution. For example…
Mr. Jones and Czar Nicholas • Mr Jones: irresponsible to his animals (lets them starve), sometimes cruel (beats them), sometimes kind (mixes milk with animal mash) • Czar Nicholas: a poor leader compared to the notable western kings, sometimes cruel (brutal with opponents), sometimes kind (hired students as spies to make extra money)
Old Major and Karl Marx • Old Major: taught Animalism, thought it was unfair that workers do the work and the rich keep the money, dies before revolution. • Karl Marx: invented Communism, wanted “workers of the world to unite” to take over government, dies before revolution.
Animalism and Communism • Animalism: no owners, no rich, no poor, workers get a better life, all animals are equal, everyone owns the farm. • Communism: same, all people equal, government owns everything, people own government.
Snowball and Leon Trotsky • Snowball: young, smart, good speaker, idealistic, leader of the revolution, chased away into exile by Napoleon’s dogs. • Leon Trotsky: other leader of “October Revolution,” pure communist, wanted to improve life for all in Russia, chased away by Lenin’s KGB (the secret police)
Napoleon and Joseph Stalin • Napoleon: not a good speaker, not as clever as Snowball, cruel, brutal, selfish, devious, corrupt, kills opponents, allowed dogs and Squealer to control animals • Joseph Stalin: not a good speaker, not educated like Trotsky, cared for power, killed all who opposed him, used KGB and propaganda to control others.
The Dogs and The KGB • The Dogs: a private army that used fear to force animals to work, killed and intimidated others. • The KGB: not really police, but forced support for Stalin, used force and intimidation, totally loyal to Lenin.
Moses the Raven and Religion • Moses: tells about SugarCandy Mountain, animals can go there if they work hard, Napoleon lets him stay because he taught animals to work and not complain. • Religion: Marx called it the “opiate of the masses,” religion was tolerated because people would work.
Boxer and the Dedicated Communists • Boxer: strong, hard worker, “Napoleon is always right,” gives his all. • Dedicated Communists: people followed Stalin because he was “Communist,” stayed loyal after it was obvious that Stalin was a tyrant.
Benjamin and Skeptics • Benjamin: old, wise donkey who is suspicious of revolution, thinks nothing will change. • Skeptics: weren’t sure if revolution would change anything, recognized power hungry leaders.
Thought Provoker • After reading Animal Farm, what do you think was George Orwell’s view of communism? • What makes you think this? • Be prepared to share.
