ANIMAL FARMBY GEORGE ORWELL

BackgroundHistory

You need your writer’s notebook to take notes.

Czar Nicholas II

Last Emperor of Russia–

Russia led to economic and political collapse under his rule –the proletariat suffered (working class)

Royal Family : Bourgeoisie (rich) Ousted from power in 1917-his entire

family including 5 children and his wife were assassinated

Lenin took over aided by Trotsky and Stalin

Karl Marx

German Philosopher :“Marxism” - a government based on what is best for the majority of people not just the rich and upper class

Beliefs: Religion: It was the “opiate for the

masses” Dulls the pain caused by oppression Helps people at the bottom accept their

situation Revolutions against corrupt governing Pure communism

Communism

Basic plan for communismthe proletariat would become

unhappy and overthrow the bourgeoisie

there would be a Revolutionary Dictatorship of the proletariat

withering away of the stateall ultimately leading to a classless

society

Vladimir Lenin Russian Marxist Revolutionary Creator of Soviet Communist Party Founder of the USSR Head of Bolsheviks Presided over Russia during the transformation

from country ruled by Czars to communist country

Formation of the Red Army Terror campaign that executed anti-

communists Caused a civil war within Russia

Lenin dies 1924. Before he dies recommends the dismissal of Stalin.

Leon TrotskyRevolutionary leader that led

to ousting of Czar Nicholas II

Brilliant speaker/writer passionate about Marxist communism, wanted to make Russia better for all

Lead the Red Army and aided Lenin

Exiled and assassinated in Mexico – icepick in the neck 1940

Joseph Stalin

Rose to power after Lenin’s death Did not follow Marxism,

Russian Socialism: system of that advocates the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

Tried to industrialize the country and compete with other nations

Made a pact with Hitler which Hitler did not honor

Stalin’s Reign: “Death solves all problems: no man, no problem.”

Would not tolerate competing ideas and essentially became a tyrant Maintained power through social and political

terror KGB (secret police)- increased size, used to

spy on enemies Silenced opposition with incarceration or worse Gulags- used inmates as cheap labor

designed to instill fear in prisoners and critics of regime

Purged own government made random arrests for crimes they didn’t commit

Mock trails and forced confessions Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933- was on

purpose gov’t decision to starve the people

George OrwellThe Author

Born in British colonized India 1903 Became a famous journalist Critical of Stalin Published Animal Farm in 1945—an

allegory of the corruption of Socialism/Communism

Other famous novel: 1984 –prophetic vision of the results of totalitarianism (absolute control by the state )

Definitions:

*Capitalism: an economic system in which private citizens own land, property, and business; characterized by a free competitive market motivated by profit

*Communism: a type of government in which a single party holds power and the government controls the economy; classes are abolished and property is commonly controlled by the “whole”

Czarist government (also Tsarism): a system of government in which a Czar has absolute power and authority, including over religious issues

Democracy: a type of government ruled by the people by means of elected officials

*Socialism: an economic system against private party ownership, in which production and distribution are controlled by a majority and citizens are paid by the work done rather than by need

Definitions

*Totalitarianism: a government system in which a single party rules without opposition over political, economic, social, and cultural life; this type of government sees no limit to its rule, and strives to control all aspects of its citizens, including personal and private means through

*Proletariat-the class of workers, especially industrial wage earners, who do not possess capital or property and must sell their labor to survive.

*Bourgeoisie – the class that, in contrast to the proletariat or wage-earning class, is primarily concerned with property values.

Bolsheviks- a. a member of the more radical majority of the Social Democratic party, 1903–17, advocating immediate and forceful seizure of power by the proletariat. b. (after 1918) a member of the Russian Communist party.

Brainpop - Communism

Terms to Know: Try to complete the definitions as you watch this again. Communism Capitalism Karl Marx Proletariat Bourgeoisie Totalitarian Socialism