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Animal Farm. A Satire/Allegory on the Russian Revolution. Russian Revolution. How It Started Czar Nicolas II absolute power huge social gulf between the peasants and the land owner and the elite peasants and workers begin rebelling against the Czar in 1905.
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Animal Farm A Satire/Allegory on the Russian Revolution
Russian Revolution • How It Started • Czar Nicolas II • absolute power • huge social gulf between the peasants and the land owner and the elite • peasants and workers begin rebelling against the Czar in 1905
The Russian Revolution 1917-1945 • Tsar Nicholas II (Monarch of Russia) -surrendered power after a complicated civil war • His family was in rule for three centuries • Very small portion of people owned everything • most were poor • Alexander Kerensky became Premier and was soon ousted
Bolshevik power • Vladimir Lenin was leader • gained control in 1917 • had the Romanov family murdered in 1918 • wanted Communism
Russian Revolution Leaders • Vladimir Lenin (Builder of the Russian Revolution) based his theories on Karl Marx (and Frederick Engles) –both were German philosophers and the writers of “The Communist Manifesto” • Lenin became ill and a need for new leadership arose • Four People struggle for power • Joseph Stalin • Gregory Zinoviev • Leon Trotsky • Lev Kamenev
Communism • Comes from the root word of “community” • -equal distribution of wealth and possessions among Russia’s citizens • Karl Marx is “The father of communism”
About Lenin: • Marxist revolutionist • led Bolsheviks • used the Red Guard to stop others from taking over Russia, then used it to take over Russia himself • led a campaign of “Red Terror" in 1918 • a systematic plot to execute opponents of communism
Lenin… • created a New Economic Policy • allowed for limited private ownership of land and business • Called it ‘breathing space” for Communism to prevail • moved capital to Moscow • renamed Russia to Soviet Union in 1922 • named his party the Communist party in 1917 • “October Revolution” killed many to gain control and instate Communism
More about Lenin… • named Joseph Stalin -Secretary General • powerful position in Communist party • ability to make appointments to other positions of power • ability to gain important allies • 1922 – Lenin suffered paralyzing strokes • removed from leadership position • 1924 – Lenin dies • Stalin and Trotsky struggle for power
Russian Revolution Power • Joseph Stalin: Built his power behind the lines • Leon Trotsky: Was popular/charismatic, and famous for his speeches • Lenin dies in 1924: Stalin leads an alliance against Trotsky and becomes Dictator of Russia
Stalin Wins! • Stalin out-maneuvers Trotsky and gains control • Stalin starts to isolate Trotsky within the party because he is a threat
Leon Trotsky • gifted speaker and writer • political genius • tried to end Russian involvement in WWI • great thoughts and plans but had trouble actually installing them • was not liked by Lenin
Joseph Stalin In Control • 1924 – assumes full control after Lenin dies
Stalin’s Repression & Terror • terrorized country with widespread arrests and executions • anyone thought to be opposed to Stalin and Communism was executed on the spot
“Reign of Terror” • 1934 “great purges” and “show trials” • sent millions to Soviet labor camps • 2-7 million innocent citizens are murdered • forced confessions • public accusations • employed KGB to repress any opposition • used publications to report statistics inaccurately in his favor
Secret Police • Created secret police force KGB, later known as the NKVD • August 1938 Stalin brought Beria to Moscow as deputy head of the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD) Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria
Stalin’s Plan • 1928 First “Five Year Plan” • attempt to make Russia a modern industrial state • “comrades” need to work harder so Soviet Russia can be a beacon of hope to workers everywhere • The following Poster is one that was used during the first Five Year plan in order to get the message across that the Soviet people should work together and promote industrialization.
Stalin in Power • 1933 Second “Five Year Plan”- emphasized rapid growth of Soviet Industry • this worked fairly well • by the end, Soviet Russia was a formidable world power
Cult Of Personality • A cult of personality or personality cult arises when a country's leader uses mass media to create a larger-than-life public image through unquestioning flattery and praise.
Secret Agreement • “German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact”: secret agreement between Stalin and Hitler • neither country would attack each other
Liar! • Hitler lied! • 1941- “Operation Barbarossa” • Germany fully attacks Russia!
Stalin’s Rule Against Trotsky • After Stalin came to power he wanted Trotsky out • Trotsky was banished three times from three places • 1st : Expelled from Moscow • 2nd: Expelled from the Communist Party • 3rd: Expelled from Russia in 1936 • Trotsky fled to Mexico in 1936 • He was assassinated by Stalin’s orders in 1940 • Stalin also had others assassinated under his rule including one of his own – Serge Kirov – in 1934. This was done as a show-trial.
Trotsky’s Blame • During Stalin’s rule: • Russia’s economic system failed • Violence, fear, and starvation occurred throughout the country • Trotsky was blamed for it all • called “Trotskyism” • Trotsky was blamed even after his assassination • Those who were associated with Trotsky were executed • In all, over 20 million citizens were purged (killed or imprisoned)
Stalin’s Doctors' plot • Alleged conspiracy to eliminate the leadership of the Soviet Union by means of Jewish doctors taking top leadership. • If America would see the way the Jews were treated, USA would want to fight Russia. • After the death of Joseph Stalin in March 1953, the new Soviet leaders admitted that the case was fabricated.
Stalin Dies • Stalin ruled as absolute dictator throughout WWII and until his death on March 5th, 1953. • Theory on how he died: • 1.Stalin was poisoned with warfarin, a powerful rat poison that makes blood rush to your brain, and the victim has a hemorrhagic stroke (cerebral hemorrhage). • 2.He probably suffered a stroke that paralyzed the right side of his body, later dying of cerebral hemorrhage.
Communism • Communism: • Social Utopia where all property is held in common and ALL are equal • (Production and goods are commonly owned) Friedrich Engels Karl Marx
Socialism • Socialism: A social system or theory in which the producers possess political power and the means of producing and distributing goods
Capitalism Adam Smith • Capitalism: Economic system characterized by open competition in a free market and by private corporate ownership of the means of production and distribution Smith devised a set of concepts that remain strongly associated with capitalism today, particularly his theory of the "invisible hand" of the market, through which the pursuit of individual interest produces a collective good for society.
Symbolism *Russian Revolution = Animal Farm *Stalin = Napoleon *Communism = “Animalism”
Allegory • Underlying meaning and surface meaning • Grand in scope
FABLE • A short story that has a moral and has animals as characters
SATIRE • A story that makes fun of something
George Orwell • George Orwell: Eric Blair • Animal Farm “A Fairy Story” • Orwell was born in England in 1903 and passed away in 1950 • Educated at private schools including Eton • Was a part of snobbishness and elitism which lead him to hating the class system • disapproved of Communism • a socialist • Communism was not pure socialism because: • gulf in society • control of the peasants • hypocritical • used his writings to communicate a political message
Orwell and Satire • Orwell became a socialist as well as a satirist • Satire: The use of ridicule to attack ideas/failures/evil action • Orwell became a critic of capitalism and communism • Animal Farm is a Satire and an Allegory
Characters and Their Historical Correlation • Napoleon: Pig, Joseph Stalin and Napoleon B. of France • Snowball: Pig, Leon Trotsky • Boxer: Cart Horse, Working Class Society/Inability to think for self • Squealer: Pig, Spread propaganda • Major: Prize Winning Boar, Karl Marx and V. Lenin • Clover: Female Cart Horse, Ignorant Society • Moses: Tame Raven, Religion/Hope • Mollie: Mare, Bourgeoisie (upper middle-class) • Benjamin: Long Lived Donkey, Satirist – Change is inevitable
Characters and Their Historical Correlation • Muriel: Goat, helps convey the rules/7 commandments • Mr. Jones: Manor Farm, Tsar Nicholas II • Mr. Frederick: Pinchfield Farm, Hitler/Nazi Germany • Mr. Pilkington: Foxwood Farm, Capitalist England/U.S.A. • Mr. Whymper: Human Solicitor, ties humans and animals together • Jessie and Bluebell/Pups: Dogs, Stalin’s brute force-rep. of Hitler’s brainwashed society • Minimus: Poet Pig, Manipulator of History (Songs)
Chapter’s 1 (Summary) • Drunken Mr. Jones to bed/animals meet in the barn • Major Wishes to pass his wisdom • Talks about miserable lives and manipulation/born as slaves • Could live in luxury given the resources • Use the products of their labors • Dream from the Previous Night • Live free and happy • Animals vs. humans (2 legged walking ‘creatures’) • Once they take the humans they can’t acquire their traits • Ex: live in a house, sleep in beds, drink, smoke, $, clothes, trade (p. 31) • “Beasts of England” --- an animal Utopia • Mr. Jones fires a shotgun and stops the commotion
Chapter 1 (Analysis) • “Beasts of England”- the animals will finally be free from man’s domination—enjoy the fruits of their labors • The song words lead to a ‘false reality’ • (Reality vs. a Dream Utopia) • Major’s simple belief is that ‘Man’ is the only reason for their evil (makes it easy for anyone non human to buy in to the situation • Idea touches on class struggle, surplus value, and domination • Idea is sincere, but it’s only a fantasy—just like . . . • Major states: “All animals are equal” • Lenin dies – just as Major – leaving his work unfinished • Ch. 1=Historic to period before and during WWI • Ends with great unrest!
Chapter 2 (Summary) • Napoleon/Snowball description (35) • The Rebellion -- Animals take farm and preserve the house • Animalism • Moses -- Sugar Candy Mountain • 7 Commandments: • 1. 2 legs is the enemy • 2. 4 legs or wings is a friend • 3. No clothes • 4. No bed • 5. No alcohol • 6. Not kill any other animal • 7. All animals are equal
Chapter 2 (Analysis) • Russian Revolution Becomes very clear • Manor Farm - Part feudal, Part capitalist = Russia • Major represents Marx’s philosophy of communism, and Lenin who enacted it = Animalism • Animals=working class (esp. Boxer and Clover) • Pigs = intelligentsia (organized and controlled the Rev.) • Squealer = Propaganda • Moses = Russian Orthodox Church • Mollie = Bourgeoisie (Luxuries) • Russia began with noble ideas including moral dignity and equality -- quickly gone on Animal Farm • Orwell’s description of pre-rebellion misery -- social inequality and mistreatment of workers
Chapter 3 (Summary) • “4 legs good, 2 legs bad” - • Pigs take charge/superiority- • take the milk • raise the pups • A lot of work is done- BOXER “I will work harder” • Flag with hoof and horn (Russian Flag) • Snowball and Napoleon fight (p48) • Pigs take human ways (p49) • Socialists goals became meaningless tools used for control • 4 legs/2 legs—what about wings? • Dog Army-(p51) • Manipulation (Read Passage)-(p52)
Chapter 3 (Analysis) • Boxer’s (People’s) blind faith in the system • Imbalance of knowledge and literacy • Pigs/Stalin -- sole guardians of Animal Farm/Russian principals • 7 Commandments • Antihuman directive (no clothes), moral values (do not kill other animal), utopian ideas (all animals equal) • 4 legs good/2 legs bad = not part of the above ideals • Propaganda was used to ignore their own unhappiness/shift focus • Squealer = Propaganda to control the people • Satire – “Good of the State” – emphasizes Russia’s own downfall - pokes fun
Chapter 4 (Summary) • The Short Version • Battle of Cowshed • Medals: Animal Hero First Class • Snowball and Boxer
Chapter 4 (Analysis) • Allusion: Julius Caesar • Russian Interwar Period • Trotsky: In order for Communism to work, it has to be global • Domino Effect = Non communists become communist • Pres. Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson used this to justify military involvement in Turkey, Greece, and Vietnam • Rumors spread of Russia • People fight but don’t understand what they are fighting for • Their own oppression = Irony • Orwell was (perhaps) denouncing Comm. & non-Comm. • Mr. Jones = Irresponsible/Neglect • Mr. P = Don’t do anything
Chapter 5 (Summary) • Mollie decides to change sides • Napoleon/Snowball argue a lot • Each campaign for supporters • Windmill plans completed – debate over the project • Snowball is attacked and ousted • Napoleon takes power (Pig Power) • Boxer adds to his ‘catch phrase’“I will work harder” • “Napoleon is always right”
Chapter 5 (Analysis) • Napoleon rises as did Stalin • Snowball/Trotsky is banished • Stalin has his own secret police (intelligentsia) = Dogs • 3rd World Country (p64)- Build technology/electricity • Stalin first balked at it, then adopted it as his own idea • Orwell was part of a Trotskyist group in the late 1930s during the Spanish Civil War • Could be why Snowball is looked at in a positive manner • Importance of technological advances in Russia is essential • Much effort was put into the overall change • As previously mention-Stalin shunned it at 1st, then took it as his own
Chapter 6 (Summary) • Work weeks were now 60hr/wk and work on Sundays • Food rations were cut • Animals eager to take more work b/c it’s for their own benefit • Mr. Whimper -- Human solicitor introduced • Used to obtain outside goods needed (iron, nails, paraffin oil) • Pigs now live and sleep in farm house • Commandments changed • No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets • Storm destructs windmill • Supposed work of Snowball • Snowball is given a death sentence
Chapter 6 (Analysis) • Government Oppression (not just in Russia) • Overworked working class • Government justified luxuries • Propaganda is used to cover up mistakes • Governments tend to blame others for their own deficiencies and wrong doings to keep their own standing • Ex: Communist Russia vs. Trotskyism • Ex: U.S.A. vs. Communism • By shifting the blame it is easy to manipulate • Orwell’s idea: Tyranny is Cyclical • More Power = More Corrupt • Pigs evolve into grotesque human beings -- increased resemblance to humans
Chapter 7 (Summary) • Harsh winter w/ food shortage (p85) – Animals are misled • Humans don’t believe Snowball ruined wall -- rebuilt at 3’ thick • Egg shortage - increased export/morally wrong • Hens rebel and 9 die • Snowball’s supposed visits to farm- Everything blamed on him • ‘Tied’ to Pinchfield (associate of Mr. Jones p 89) • Battle of Cowshed - bravery taken away and used against him p90 • Napoleon’s battle bravery is hyped up • Squealer’s persuasion makes them believe p90 • Napoleon stages a purge and takes more power • Pigs are forced to falsely confess to conspiracy w/Snowball • They are said to be ‘Trotskyists’ and immediately killed p91/92 • Boxer stands up for the animals - Napoleon immediately stops Boxer • Egg rebellion confession - 3 more hens killed