History of Europe

How did Animal Farm represent the soviet union?

Animal Farm, written by George Orwell in 1945, allegorically represented the Soviet Union under the rule of Joseph Stalin. Here are some of the parallels between the novel and the Soviet Union:

Old Major/Karl Marx:

- Old Major, the wise old boar who inspires the animal revolution, represents Karl Marx, the founder of communist ideology.

The Pigs/The Communist Party:

- The pigs, who take control of the farm after the revolution, represent the Communist Party, which held power in the Soviet Union.

Napoleon/Joseph Stalin:

- Napoleon, the ambitious and ruthless pig who becomes the farm's dictator, represents Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator who consolidated power after the death of Lenin.

Squealer/Propaganda:

- Squealer, a pig who manipulates the other animals through his persuasive speeches, represents propaganda, which was a crucial tool used by the Soviet government to control public opinion.

The Windmill/Five-Year Plans:

- The windmill project that the pigs undertake represents the Five-Year Plans, the economic development plans implemented in the Soviet Union to rapidly industrialize the country.

The Battle of the Cowshed/World War II:

- The Battle of the Cowshed, where the animals defend their farm against an attack by humans, symbolizes the Soviet Union's involvement in World War II and its victory over Nazi Germany.

The Manipulation of the Seven Commandments:

- The pigs' gradual alteration of the original Seven Commandments, which represented the principles of animalism, parallels the way the Soviet Union deviated from the ideals of communism over time.

The Final Revelation:

- In the book's final scene, the other animals realize that they have been deceived by the pigs and that their lives have not improved since the revolution. This represents the disillusionment and discontent felt by many Soviet citizens as they came to see the reality of life under Stalin's regime.

Through these various parallels, Animal Farm serves as a powerful allegory, satirizing the Soviet Union's political system and critiquing the corruption and authoritarianism that can arise within revolutions.