Animal FarmHistorical Background and

Author

George Orwell: June 25th 1903 - January 21st, 1950- Born in Eastern India; he was the son of a British

Colonial Servant

- His real name is Eric Arthur Blair; he took the pen

name George Orwell in 1933

- After some military service abroad, he resigned in

1927 to become a writer; he travelled in Europe

and eventually wrote about his experiences as a

struggling writer

George Orwell: June 25th 1903 - January 21st, 1950- He had what was considered radical political

views in the 1920’s and 1930’s; an anarchist

turned socialist. He also travelled to warzones

(Spanish Civil War) and fled for his life when the

Soviets intervened in the conflict.

- Between 1941 and 1943, he worked on

propaganda for the BBC.

- He published Animal Farm in 1945, in which he

wrote an allegorical version of Stalin’s rise to

power; this ensured he was financially

comfortable.

Orwell’s predictions & Orwellian Society

- In 1949, Orwell published 1984, a work which was a dystopian model set in a futuristic Totalitarian society

- Many expressions and phrases, such as: “Big Brother is watching you”, “Ministry of Truth”, and “Orwellian” originate from the popularity of this novel

- Orwell is often referenced today, as he predicted many issues with today’s technology

Orwell’s predictions & Orwellian Society

Orwellian ActivityThis upcoming weekend, count how many devices with a camera on it you see in 1 day. You will then start to feel some of what Orwell was concerned about.

He theorized that the idea of privacy would cease to exist at some point in the future, and that everything would be edited to serve a (usually evil) purpose.

Early Russian History:- Russia was led by the monarchy

- As a result of chaos in their country in 1881, the Tsar formed strict

censorship and opposition meant immediate death or exile.

- The industrial revolution and capitalism advanced in the late 1800’s

and two classes of people emerged: the proletariat and the

bourgeoisie

- The proletariat went on strike to improve their civil rights

- Russians continued to struggle through WW1

- During (and after) WW1, Russia was badly weakened and the

government lost its foothold

- The people revolted in 1917, eventually executing Tsar Nicholas II

Lenin enters the Scene- In 1918, the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladamir Lenin, took power by force. The party

was called the: “Dictatorship of the Common Man”- Lenin was a strict Marxist in theory, but he sometimes compromised, allowing

private enterprise.- Lenin modernized the archaic infrastructure of Russia and brought electricity to the

countryside.- Lenin died in 1924; a struggle for power began between Trotsky (an idealist) and

Stalin, both being Lenin’s former allies.

Stalin wins the fight:- Stalin won the battle and Trotsky was exiled & eventually killed

- Although Trotsky was the successor Lenin had in mind, Stalin was more skillful at

rallying support in the conflict to succeed Lenin

- Stalin used a propaganda system (he controlled all the information as well as the secret

police or “Cheka”)

- Stalin used a brutal reign of terror to stay in power; communism became more of a

totalitarian dictatorship rather than a collective ownership of the society

- He used Trotsky as his scapegoat to keep him unified with his people

- In 1934, Stalin’s ally was killed so he used the opportunity to hold unfair trials to get “rid

of” all of those that opposed him. He held “show trials” to declare the defendants as

“Enemies of the State” and “Trotsky sympathizers” and he executed them all.

Stalin wins the fight: