Animal Farm Historical Background The Russian Revolution Russian

Animal Farm Historical Background The Russian Revolution

Russian Revolution • By 1917, 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. • This lead to a series of revolutions that dismantled the tsarist rule and eventually replaced it with a Marxist state – February Revolution: Brought an end to tsarist rule and set up a provisional government – Bolshevik Revolution: leftist revolutionaries led by Vladimir Lenin launched a nearly bloodless coup against the provisional government. The Bolsheviks and their allies soon formed a new government with Lenin as its head.

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 – All people are seen as equal. – Government owns everything-people own 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

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

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

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

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.

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

The Five-Year Plan • In 1928, he imposed the first of several “fiveyear plans” to: – Build up heavy industry – Improve transportation – Increase farm output • He brought all economic activity under government control, calling it a command economy, the opposite of a capitalist system. • Although The Soviet Union experienced tremendous growth in industry, quality of life was very low for most people. Due to poor planning, there were shortages of goods. Consumer products were scarce, wages were low, and workers were forbidden to strike.