When the Animals Rebel

1. When the Animals Rebel Introduction to Animal Farm Ms. C. Anderson—English I GT

2. Animal Farm By George Orwell Allegory - Satire - Fable “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

3. 1903-1950 • Noted as a novelist and critic, as well as a political and cultural commentator • One of the most widely admired English-language essayists of the 20th century • Best known for two novels critical of totalitarianism in general, and Stalinism in particular: • Animal Farm • 1984 George Orwell“Liberty is telling people what they do not want to hear.”

4. He was a democratic socialist (power of the producer) • He was disgusted by Stalin’s betrayal of the ideals of the Russian Revolution • He wanted to teach us: • Power corrupts. • Revolutions come full circle and devour their people. • Even good people are vulnerable to power hungry leaders if they don’t question what they’re told. Why he wrote the book

5. Why Animals? In explaining how he came to write Animal Farm, Orwell says he once saw a little boy whipping a horse and later he wrote: “It struck me that if only such animals became aware of their strength we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the [worker].”

6. Animal Farm is a satire because it is a story which blends humor and disapproving wit to encourage change. Animal Farm is an allegory because it is a form of extended metaphor. Characters and actions symbolize meaning beyond the narrative. In the case of Animal Farm, the story represents the Russian Revolution. Animal Farm is also a fable, or a morality story. This novel warns against the abuse of power. It is also a fable about human strengths and weaknesses. Allegory, Satire, & Fable We are meant to read beyond the animal fairy tale and find a deeper meaning. This is why Orwell referred to Animal Farm as his adult fairy tale.

7. Karl Marx: Father of Communism Wants to unite the working class to overthrow the government. 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 All people are seen as equal. Government owns everything-people own government. Dies before the Russian Revolution

8. Abolition of private property. • A heavy progressive or graduated income tax. • Abolition of all right of inheritance. • Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels. • Centralized bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly. • Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State. Ten Tenets of Communism (1-6)

9. Factories and production owned by the state • Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture—equal liability of all labor • Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; abolition of the distinction between town and country by a more equitable distribution of the population over the country. • Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children’s factory labor. Ten Tenets of Communism (7-10)

10. 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 Believed he was the unquestionable leader of Russia appointed by God; divine right Tended to be an idealist who did not face problems of the masses Ordered unarmed protesters murdered in the streets in 1905 Was assassinated along with family by rebels

11. Vladimir Lenin Adopted Marx’s ideas. Believed that the bourgeoisie exploited the workers, so they must be overthrown. He lead the revolution, which deposed Czar Nicholas II. He founded the Bolshevik party and dreamed of abolishing class distinctions and redistribution of land and resources. He understood the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans: “Workers of the world unite!” “Land, bread, and peace for everyone!” Changes Russia’s name to the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) Hammer=worker Sickle=farmer Star=Communist Party

12. In the early 1900s, Russia’s Czar Nicholas II faced an increasingly discontented populace. • Many Russian peasants were struggling to survive under an oppressive government. • By 1917, World War I created tremendous suffering, a revolution began. • The Czar’s government was overthrown and replaced by the Bolshevik leadership of Vladimir Lenin. • Lenin died in 1924 • Lenin’s former colleagues Leon Trotsky, hero of the early Revolution, and Joseph Stalin, head of the Communist Party, struggled for power. • Stalin won the battle, and he deported Trotsky into permanent exile. Russian Revolution--Abbreviated

13. When Lenin died, there was a power struggle between his former colleges Joseph Stalin & Leon Trotsky.

14. A pure communist leader who was influenced by the teachings of Karl Marx. • He wanted to improve life for people in Russia • Highly educated, dynamic speaker • An intellectual and Lenin’s “right hand” man • Much more practical than Lenin, more aware of the daily struggles of the population • Advocated an economy focused on industry and technology to improve workers’ efficiency • Conceives of the notion of the Five Year Plan that Stalin later adopts • Stuggles with Stalin for power; Stalin won the battle. He sends Trotsky into permanent exile, and later finds Trotsky in Mexico and has him assassinated Leon Trotsky

15. Leader of the Communist Party--totalitarian ruler of Russia after Lenin • Not a skilled speaker and not educated • Did not follow Marx’s ideas • Advocated exalted nationalism • Jingoism-exclusion of outsiders/xenophobic • Advocated an economy based on agriculture • Cares for power--kills all who oppose him • Used KGB and propaganda • Church allowed only for propaganda • Expels Trotsky from the Party and then adopts many of Trotsky’s financial and political plans (5 Year Plan) Josef Stalin

16. Stalin’s Rule:The Cold Hand of Communism

17. Work for Stalin to support his image • Lies to convince the people to follow Stalin • State-run newspaper; only prints what the government approves of • Created false images of prosperity, happiness, and opportunity • Twisted the truth to benefit Stalin Propaganda Departmentof Stalin’s government

18. 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 • Propaganda showed one ideal, but reality was quite different Dedicated, communist supporters…tricked by the party

19. KGB regarded with great fear by Russians was responsible for political repression during the Stalinist era • Committee for State Security (KGB) • Used force, often killed entire families for disobedience • Totally loyal, part of Lenin’s power, even over army • Eventually, they chase Trotsky away • conducted mass executions • ran the Gulag system of forced labor • conducted mass deportations of nationalities and peasants to Siberia • guarded state borders • conducted espionage and political assassinations abroad • enforced Stalinist policy within Communist movements in other countries KGB-Secret Police

20. From 1927-1932, new economic plans, called the five-year plans, were introduced. The purpose was to improve industry. This was intended to make Russian production more efficient. The first 5 year plan was actually Trotsky’s idea, which Stalin took credit for. However, Stalin was not successful in implementing Trotsky’s plan. 5 Year Plans

21. Aristocracy Critics • Some of the citizens of Russian (titled and moniedpeople) fled to other countries after the assassination of Czar Nicholas II • These people did not accept the new regime of Communism. • They did not want to be equal with everyone else. • They wanted the old status quo. • Not everyone in Russia and other countries thought that revolution was the way to go. • Some people decided to watch and see how things would turn out. • Not very vocal because they were wary of the KGB. • Thought Communism wouldn’t make things better for the people of Russia. • No freedom of speech in Russia. Not Everyone was a Communist…

22. Uneasy Allies Enemies • England is nervous that the Communist movement in Russia could spread to its shores. • However, England is against Germany • Tehran Conference, a meeting held in 1943 between the leaders of the United Kingdom, the U.S., and the Soviet Union. • Stalin, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt came to agreement on joint military strategy for WWII and began to make plans for the postwar order. • The plans gave Eastern Europe to Russia—if Russia helped conquer Germany. • Stalin signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler in 1941. The pact allowed Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany to divvy up Eastern Europe into two parts. • Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, launching a massive surprise attack into Soviet territory and starting the war on the Eastern Front. • By December of 1942, German troops were within 20 miles of Moscow. • The Russians conquered Berlin in 1945. Hitler commits suicide rather than be captured. Enemies & “Frenemies”

23. Life under a Czar Life Under Communism • neglected the Russian people and treated them like dirt • merely did what they wanted and used fear and force to obtain what they wanted • Sent his people into battle ill-equipped and untrained A limited few had power and money. These few would use whatever means necessary to keep it. • ruled over them with the pretence of having the people's wishes in mind • utilized fear to control people lived in fear (employed by Stalin) • used perversion of reality and fake images and ideas to obtain their objective—propaganda • Provided state-run medical care and education A limited few had power and money. These few would use whatever means necessary to keep it. Czarist Russia vs Communism

24. Now using this PPt fill in the Character Symbolism handout. Think about what or who each character represents.