Historical Background of Historical Background of

the Russian Revolutionthe Russian Revolutionthe Russian Revolutionthe Russian Revolution

Animal FarmAnimal Farm

Animal Farm:Animal Farm:

Historical AllegoryHistorical Allegory = Multiple Levels of = Multiple Levels of MeaningMeaning

18451845--1883:1883:

!! Soviet philosopher, Karl Marx promotes Soviet philosopher, Karl Marx promotes

Communism Communism (no private ownership of (no private ownership of

property; everyone is responsible for one property; everyone is responsible for one

another).another).another).another).

What’s the difference?What’s the difference?

!! CommunismCommunism (economic and political) states the (economic and political) states the

distribution of goods and services takes place distribution of goods and services takes place

according to the individuals needs according to the individuals needs

–– aims to overthrow the capitalist order by revolutionary means aims to overthrow the capitalist order by revolutionary means

and to destroy social classes to keep everyone equal and and to destroy social classes to keep everyone equal and

eliminate private property so that it can be commonly eliminate private property so that it can be commonly

controlled controlled controlled controlled

–– No capitalismNo capitalism

!! SocialismSocialism (economic) states the distribution of goods (economic) states the distribution of goods

and services takes place according to the individuals and services takes place according to the individuals

effortsefforts

–– calls for cooperation and social servicecalls for cooperation and social service

–– Capitalism allowed, but is controlled somehow by a Capitalism allowed, but is controlled somehow by a

centralized planning system and that the benefits are divided centralized planning system and that the benefits are divided

equallyequally

18801880--1890:1890:

!! 2 social classes emerge in Russia2 social classes emerge in Russia-- the the

capitalistic upper middle class capitalistic upper middle class

((BourgeoisieBourgeoisie) and the working class ) and the working class

((ProletariatProletariat). Marx predicted, in the ). Marx predicted, in the ((ProletariatProletariat). Marx predicted, in the ). Marx predicted, in the

Communist ManifestoCommunist Manifesto, that there would be , that there would be

a revolution whereby the working class a revolution whereby the working class

would rise up against the upper middle would rise up against the upper middle

class. class.

–– They would put faith into their country and They would put faith into their country and

nothing else (he was antinothing else (he was anti--organized religion. organized religion.

He felt it provided a false sense of hope)He felt it provided a false sense of hope)

18801880--1890:1890:

!! The upperThe upper--middle class formed the middle class formed the

Socialist Democratic Party to try to Socialist Democratic Party to try to

improve the living conditions for improve the living conditions for

themselves and those in the lower class.themselves and those in the lower class.themselves and those in the lower class.themselves and those in the lower class.

!! In an attempt to squelch the revolution, In an attempt to squelch the revolution,

Czar Nicholas IICzar Nicholas II imprisoned and exiled imprisoned and exiled

these democrats and many people are these democrats and many people are

killed.killed.

Czar Nicholas IICzar Nicholas II

During WW1During WW1

!! there is a shortage of guns and ammo. Russia there is a shortage of guns and ammo. Russia

was losing battles, and some soldiers were was losing battles, and some soldiers were

ready to revolt. ready to revolt. WhyWhy??

–– Czar Nicholas promises to send troops to fight the Czar Nicholas promises to send troops to fight the

Germans on the Eastern front. Many soldiers are sent Germans on the Eastern front. Many soldiers are sent Germans on the Eastern front. Many soldiers are sent Germans on the Eastern front. Many soldiers are sent

to battle without guns and ammo. They are told to to battle without guns and ammo. They are told to

“pick up the weapons of your fallen countryman and “pick up the weapons of your fallen countryman and

use them to fight.”use them to fight.”

–– Many Russians die and the Czar loses popularity.Many Russians die and the Czar loses popularity.

19171917::

!! Russia is collapsing because of poor Russia is collapsing because of poor

leadership. Revolution becomes leadership. Revolution becomes

inevitable.inevitable.

!! Three men become interested in a Three men become interested in a !! Three men become interested in a Three men become interested in a

takeover: takeover: Stalin, Lenin , and TrotskyStalin, Lenin , and Trotsky

Stalin, Lenin , and Trotsky

19171917

!! In November of 1917, Lenin starts the In November of 1917, Lenin starts the

Bolshevik RevolutionBolshevik Revolution. The Bolsheviks . The Bolsheviks

wanted to create a government for wanted to create a government for

peasants, workingman, and soldiers.peasants, workingman, and soldiers.

19171917::

!! 4 years of civil war. RED4 years of civil war. RED----------------------------

defeateddefeated--------------------------------------WhiteWhite

!! Czar Nicholas and his entire family are Czar Nicholas and his entire family are

executed. Complete removal of the past. executed. Complete removal of the past. executed. Complete removal of the past. executed. Complete removal of the past.

!! Lenin became ruler and instituted the ideal Lenin became ruler and instituted the ideal

of of socialismsocialism./Communist Party Emerges./Communist Party Emerges

19241924!! Lenin diesLenin dies--his body it entombed in glasshis body it entombed in glass--

tourist sight. He is IDOLIZED.tourist sight. He is IDOLIZED.

!! NEXT… FIERCE struggle for control NEXT… FIERCE struggle for control between between Trotsky and StalinTrotsky and Stalin..

StalinStalin

!! Concentrated on building a strong socialist Concentrated on building a strong socialist

state at home.state at home.

!! Established the CominternEstablished the Comintern

TrotskyTrotsky

!! An intellectual An intellectual

!! A great planner, organizer, and A great planner, organizer, and

favored rapid industrialization favored rapid industrialization

and exportation of socialist and exportation of socialist

views to other countries.views to other countries.views to other countries.views to other countries.

!! Lenin wanted Trotsky to have Lenin wanted Trotsky to have

control after his death, but control after his death, but

Stalin took control. Stalin took control.

!! Later is exiled to Mexico by Later is exiled to Mexico by

Stalin, is called a traitor and Stalin, is called a traitor and

murdered in 1940murdered in 1940

19361936--1938: Stalin Takes Control!1938: Stalin Takes Control!

!! Let’s step OUT of Russia and visit Spain Let’s step OUT of Russia and visit Spain

for a moment. for a moment.

1936:1936:!! Three year Spanish Civil War. It is HERE that George Three year Spanish Civil War. It is HERE that George

Orwell sees the CRUEL brand of Stalin’s socialism (it Orwell sees the CRUEL brand of Stalin’s socialism (it

spread to Spain from Russia). spread to Spain from Russia).

!! Becomes inspired to write Becomes inspired to write Animal FarmAnimal Farm (underline (underline

titles of books!).titles of books!).

Stalin’s Reign of TerrorStalin’s Reign of Terror

!! Does not follow communism as intended Does not follow communism as intended

(he creates an upper/more powerful class (he creates an upper/more powerful class

that dominates others)that dominates others)

!! Gulag Labor CampsGulag Labor Camps: Sent people to work : Sent people to work !! Gulag Labor CampsGulag Labor Camps: Sent people to work : Sent people to work

there who were “traitors”. Think the there who were “traitors”. Think the

camps of the holocaust used to raise and camps of the holocaust used to raise and

harvest crops. harvest crops.

!! Began killing anyone who got in his way Began killing anyone who got in his way

through convicting them of being traitors. through convicting them of being traitors.

Stalin’s Reign of TerrorStalin’s Reign of Terror

!! Stalin personally signed 357 Stalin personally signed 357 proscriptionproscription lists in lists in

1937 and 1938 which condemned to execution 1937 and 1938 which condemned to execution

some 40,000 people, and about 90% of these some 40,000 people, and about 90% of these

are confirmed to have been shot.are confirmed to have been shot.

!! Collectivization: Forced all the workers to send in Collectivization: Forced all the workers to send in

a huge percentage if not all of their harvests to a huge percentage if not all of their harvests to

support others. The Soviet Union Famine cost an support others. The Soviet Union Famine cost an

estimated 1 to 1.5estimated 1 to 1.5 million lives as well as million lives as well as

secondary population losses due to reduced secondary population losses due to reduced

fertility.fertility.

Stalin’s Reign of TerrorStalin’s Reign of Terror

!! ReligionReligion: :

–– He stuck with Marx’s and Lenin’s idea that He stuck with Marx’s and Lenin’s idea that

religion should not be accepted as the religion should not be accepted as the

motivation for people to work hard and have motivation for people to work hard and have

hope, even by killing 100,000 religious hope, even by killing 100,000 religious hope, even by killing 100,000 religious hope, even by killing 100,000 religious

persons (priests, monks, nuns, rabbis, etc.). persons (priests, monks, nuns, rabbis, etc.).

Then, he would bring religion back when he Then, he would bring religion back when he

needed something to rally the people. needed something to rally the people.

19361936--19381938Moscow Show TrialsMoscow Show Trials

!! High ranking soviet military and political leaders High ranking soviet military and political leaders

confessed to crimes against the State and were confessed to crimes against the State and were

sentenced to DEATH (Brainwashed, drugged).sentenced to DEATH (Brainwashed, drugged).

!! Some of the Some of the victimsvictims were revolutionary heroes were revolutionary heroes

who fought with Lenin.who fought with Lenin.who fought with Lenin.who fought with Lenin.

!! Secret police were arresting and interrogating Secret police were arresting and interrogating

hundreds of thousands of citizens who were hundreds of thousands of citizens who were

charged with “crimes” and subsequently charged with “crimes” and subsequently

deported or executed.deported or executed.

–– KGBKGB

!! Many were reluctant to publicly criticize the Many were reluctant to publicly criticize the

Communist Party.Communist Party.

WWIIWWII: :

!! Stalin shifts his allegiance from England Stalin shifts his allegiance from England

and the Allies to the Nazi regime in and the Allies to the Nazi regime in

Germany.Germany.

!! Stalin and Hitler divide Poland.Stalin and Hitler divide Poland.

A few months later, Hitler invades Russia. A few months later, Hitler invades Russia. !! A few months later, Hitler invades Russia. A few months later, Hitler invades Russia.

Surprised?Surprised?

WWIIWWII

!! After “defeating” Hitler, Stalin returns his After “defeating” Hitler, Stalin returns his

allegiances to the Allies and England.allegiances to the Allies and England.

–– The Germans were defeated due to what?The Germans were defeated due to what?

!! Stalin continues to become more and Stalin continues to become more and !! Stalin continues to become more and Stalin continues to become more and

more suspicious of those around him. more suspicious of those around him.

–– He has those he is suspicious of imprisoned or He has those he is suspicious of imprisoned or

killed. killed.

!! Propaganda increases. Propaganda increases.

19531953!! Stalin dies from a brain hemorrhage.Stalin dies from a brain hemorrhage.

!! The people of Russia grieve the loss of The people of Russia grieve the loss of

their leader. Though evil, he was powerful their leader. Though evil, he was powerful

and made Russia revered around the and made Russia revered around the

world. They become unsure of Russia’s world. They become unsure of Russia’s

future. future. future. future.

Stalin’s Stalin’s ImapctImapct

!! What impact did Stalin leave?What impact did Stalin leave?

–– Russian writer Russian writer VadimVadim ErlikmanErlikman, for , for

example, makes the following estimates: example, makes the following estimates:

executions, 1.5executions, 1.5 million; gulags, 5 million; million; gulags, 5 million; executions, 1.5executions, 1.5 million; gulags, 5 million; million; gulags, 5 million;

deportations, 1.7deportations, 1.7 million out of 7.5million out of 7.5 million million

deported; and deported; and POWsPOWs and German civilians, and German civilians,

1 million1 million –– a total of about 9a total of about 9 million victims million victims

of repression.of repression.

19611961!! Seven years later, the truth began to Seven years later, the truth began to

sink in. sink in. !! The people of Russia begin to realize The people of Russia begin to realize

what truly happened and reject what truly happened and reject Stalin. Stalin. Stalin. Stalin.

!! Congress removed his body from the Congress removed his body from the Lenin MausoleumLenin Mausoleum

19671967

!! Six years later, the hate grew even more. Six years later, the hate grew even more.

!! Stalin and his name are eventually so Stalin and his name are eventually so

hated, that his daughter, Svetlana hated, that his daughter, Svetlana

assumed her mother’s maiden name and assumed her mother’s maiden name and assumed her mother’s maiden name and assumed her mother’s maiden name and

defected to the U.S.defected to the U.S.