Animal FarmHistorical Context

Allanimalsare equal.

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Russian Revolution

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is an allegory, meaning it was written to reveal a hidden political meaning.

In this case, it was heavily influenced by the Russian Revolution.

Orwell was warning his readers of the consequences of Stalinism and the Totalitarian government.

Characters, events and themes in the book represent:

Prominent people connected to the revolution

Key events from the revolution

Political ideas that were prominent at the time

Key Events

The Rebellion

The February rebellion 1917 was when Nicolas II was overthrown. This rebellion was led by Lenin and supported by Stalin and Trotsky. Old Major represents Lenin, with Stalin and Trotsky represented by Napoleon and Snowball.

The Battle of the Cowshed

Mr Jones and several men attack the farm, however the animals successfully drive them off. One sheep is shot and killed, whilst Snowball is injured. This represents the allied invasion of 1918.

Mr Jones Tsar Nicholas II

Old Major Karl Marx

Napoleon Joseph Stalin

Snowball Leon Trotsky

Squealer Pravda(Stalin’s propoganda machine)

The Dogs The Secret Police

The Farm Animals Lower/Working Classes

The Sheep Stalin’s Chanting Masses

Key Ideas

Animalism Communism

Old Major talks about animalism at the start of the novel.

Communism is the idea that everyone is equal.

In 1918, there was a civil war in Russia. Western countries sent armies to fight as they were worried that Communism might spread.

This is the part in the novel where Mr Jones and the neighbouring farmers try to win back the farm.

The Windmill Industrialisation The part of the novel where Snowball reveals the plans for the windmill represents the industrialisation of Russia.