George Orwell and the Russian Revolution

Study Notes

George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, adopted the pen name George Orwell in 1933 for his first book.
Orwell's upbringing and education at Eton College influenced his views on social class and revolution.
"Animal Farm" allegorizes the Russian Revolution and warns about the dangers of naivety and ignorance in revolutions.
Orwell's moral in "Animal Farm" is that revolutions only bring true improvement when the masses are vigilant and hold leaders accountable.
The parallels between "Animal Farm" and the Russian Revolution involve key figures like Joseph Stalin and events like the Red Terror.
The Bolshevik Party took power in Russia in 1917, leading to the establishment of the USSR in 1922.
Karl Marx, a proponent of Communism, influenced the ideology behind the Russian Revolution and the USSR.
Stalin's rise to power saw the elimination of rivals like Leon Trotsky through exile and purges.
Stalin's rule was marked by brutal repression, including mass arrests, show trials, and executions during the Great Purge.
The Soviet propaganda machine under Stalin promoted a cult of personality around him and stifled dissent through censorship and control of information.
Orwell's experiences in the Spanish Civil War and World War II influenced his writing of "Animal Farm," which was banned in the USSR until its collapse in the late 1980s.

Description

Test your knowledge on George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' and its allegorical representation of the Russian Revolution, focusing on themes of social class, revolution, and leadership. Explore parallels between key figures like Joseph Stalin and events such as the Red Terror, as well as Orwell's underlying moral message about vigilant masses and accountable leaders.