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Animal Farm By: George Orwell. Historical Background Information. The isms…. Communism : a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is contained by a single and self-perpetuating party
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Animal FarmBy: George Orwell Historical Background Information
The isms… • Communism: a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is contained by a single and self-perpetuating party • Socialism: all ownership and control of means of production and distribution of land are in the community/government as a whole
The isms continued… • Capitalism: the investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained by private individuals/corporations • Marxism: capitalism socialism communism= classless society
Before 1917… • Lenin introduces Marxist ideas to Russia • Czar Nicholas proves to be an incompetent ruler
Between 1917-1923… • Russian Revolution, ending with the abdication of Czar Nicolas II (March 15) • October Revolution • Communists seize control of the government • Start of labor camps • Start of religious persecution
1923: beginning of the struggle between Lenin and Trotsky • 1924: death of Lenin; Lenin’s body mummified and put on public display • 1929: • Trotsky deported by Stalin • Start of Industrialization • Failure of Five-Year Plans
1929-1932: • Propaganda figures concerning the success of the Five-Year plans released to the public • Communists begin to abuse their power • 1932: Starvation of millions of people who did not want to work for Stalin • 1933: • The US and other countries recognize the USSR • Failure of cooperative farms
1934: • Chekaformed • Secret police become official • 1936: Show of trials of Stalin’s opponents • 1939: Non-aggression pact between Germany and Russia • 1941: German invasion of Russia • 1941-1945: • Germans penetrate deeply into Soviet Union and devastate the country • Russians drive Germans out of Soviet Union
1945… • Treaty to divide Germany • Five-Year plans focused on heavy industry to the exclusion of consumer goods • Pro-Stalin propaganda and rewriting of history • Religious tolerance begins
Post 1945… • The Great Purge: loyal citizens are removed when they are no longer useful • Stalin’s brutality becomes apparent