The Russian Revolution Historical Background for Orwells Animal

The Russian Revolution Historical Background for Orwell’s Animal Farm

Factors that lead up to the Revolution �Most of the population were very poor for decades underneath the czar rule. �Russia’s involvement in WWI. �Russia had inefficient factories, roads, railroads, etc. Could not compete against Germany. �Skyrocketed prices and 1917 famine.

Beliefs of Karl Marx �Philosopher, who wrote Communist Manifesto �Believed that there needed to be a workers’ revolt against government. �Two classes: Working class (proletariat) and Nobility (Bourgeoisie). �Rich kept the poor always poor.

Czar Nicholas II �Part of the Romanov family. �Had four daughters including Anastasia and one son Nichol. �Nichol had a rare blood disease. �Looked to Rasputin, a shady man, for help.

Tensions Rise �Public believed that Rasputin was beginning to influence the Czar in his decisions and demanded that he be removed from the palace. �Workers began to organize to form the Soviet Party.

February Revolution �Workers storm palace and take Romanov family hostage. �Execute family-Anastasia thought to have escaped.

A new regime �After the czar was removed from the throne, Vladimir Lenin took over control. �Leader of the Bolshevik party. �Beginning of communism in Russia.

What is communism? �A form of government and economics �Government has complete control over everything. �Everyone is equal-doctors get paid the same as janitors.

Lenin’s death brings struggle �After Lenin’s death, there was a struggle between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky for the leadership of the Bolshevik party. �Stalin won. �In 1927 Stalin expelled Trotsky and had him assassinated.

Stalin’s Russia �Set up the KGB Secret Police, which killed anyone they thought was against the government. �Used propaganda to persuade people to believe in communism. �Situation for workers got worse under Stalin.

How does this relate to Animal Farm? �Animal Farm is a satire that is entirely based on making fun of communist Russia. �Each character represents a person that played a part in the revolution. �It is your job to figure out who each character is within the novel?