Joseph Stalin was born December 9, 1879 in Georgia, Russia. He died on March 5, 1953 in Moscow, Russia.
In 1894, Stalin received a scholarship to attend the Orthodox theological seminary in Tbilisi, Georgia. During his time in the seminary, Stalin joined a secret study group that opposed the Russian tsarist government. The group discussed the ideas of Karl Marx. In 1899, Stalin was expelled from the seminary and became fully devoted to Marxism.
For the next 18 years, Stalin became a "professional revolutionary". During the span from 1899 to 1917, Stalin's only address was either jail or Siberia (worked totally underground). While working underground, Stalin organized numerous bank robberies to fund and destabilize the tsarist regime.
In 1901, Stalin became a member of the illegal Russian Democratic Party. The Party eventually split in 1903. Stalin then gave his support to the Bolsheviks who were led by Lenin. Lenin formed the Central Committee and appointed Stalin a position.
After being arrested eight times, Stalin was exiled to a remote part of Siberia in February 1913. It was during Stalin's exile that Russia began the revolution.
In March of 1917, Stalin became the chief editor of the Pravda and and also reclaimed a position in the Party's Central Committee of the Provisional Government.
Before Lenin died in 1924, he wrote a letter to the members of the party about Stalin's attitude. Lenin said, " After taking over the position of General Secretary, Comrade Stalin has accumulated in his hands immeasurable power and I am not certain whether he will always be able to use his power with the required care...Stalin is excessively ruled".
Stalin's most infamous reign of power took place between 1934 and 1939. His secret police initiated ed mass arrest, executions and deportations to suspected traitors. Ninety-eight of the Party's Central Committee were killed and 1,108 of the 17th Party Congress were arrested. On December 12, 1938, Stalin signed a list that permitted the deaths of 3,182.
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Napoleon in Animal Farm.
Napoleon is cunning and sneaky. He repeatedly makes changes to the seven amendments and uses squealer to convince the animals.
Napoleon uses fear to enforce his policies. His dogs constantly instill fear into the other animals.
Napoleon attends to his own needs primarily before the prosperity of Animal Farm. He changes the amendments primarily to suit his own needs.
Parallels of Stalin in Animal Farm
Stalin condemned Trotsky's, Zinoviev's, and Kamenev's push toward industrialization. After he defeated them, he advocated industrialization. Napoleon condemned Snowball's plan to building the windmill. After Snowball was chased out of the farm, Napoleon admitted that the windmill was his plan all along.
"On the third Sunday after Snowball's expulsion, the animals were somewhat surprised to hear that Napoleon announce that the windmill be built after all" (40).
2. Stalin's secret police exiled people whom they believed were traitors. Napoleon used the dogs to sen Snowball into exile. "They (dogs) dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws" (37). "...with a few inches to spare, slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more" (38).
3. Stalin took control of the Pravda, the Russian newspaper. Napoleon appointed Squealer as his own media. "The windmill was, in fact Napoleon's own creation" (41). Squealer then explains it as, "Tactics, comrades, tactics!" (41). Squealer was using Napoleon's propaganda to win Napoleon approval with the other animals.
Discussion Questions
Do you think that Napoleon has taken on human behavior?
Do you think the "Battle of the Windmill" could have been avoided?
What do you think Napoleon will gain from killing Snowball?
What about Napoleon makes him a qualified leader for Animal Farm?
Is the Animal Farm's recent lack of prosperity caused of Napoleon's leadership or Snowball being forced out of power?
Joseph Stalin
ed mass arrest, executions and deportations to suspected traitors. Ninety-eight of the Party's Central Committee were killed and 1,108 of the 17th Party Congress were arrested. On December 12, 1938, Stalin signed a list that permitted the deaths of 3,182.
Napoleon in Animal Farm.
of Animal Farm. He changes the amendments primarily to suit his own needs.
Parallels of Stalin in Animal Farm
"On the third Sunday after Snowball's expulsion, the animals were somewhat surprised to hear that Napoleon announce that the windmill be built after all" (40).
2. Stalin's secret police exiled people whom they believed were traitors. Napoleon used the dogs to sen Snowball into exile.
"They (dogs) dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws" (37). "...with a few inches to spare, slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more" (38).
3. Stalin took control of the Pravda, the Russian newspaper. Napoleon appointed Squealer as his own media. "The windmill was, in fact Napoleon's own creation" (41). Squealer then explains it as, "Tactics, comrades, tactics!" (41). Squealer was using Napoleon's propaganda to win Napoleon approval with the other animals.
Discussion Questions
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