Karl Marx and the Russian Revolution was written by the middle of 1944, but it was published only in August 1945 (see the reasons for this on p. 5). On the surface, this short novel is a fable about farm animals who rebel against their human oppressor, but it also expresses the author’s disillusionment with the result of the Bolshevik Revolution. Russia was ruled for centuries by absolute monarchs, the Tsars. During the reign of , the condition of the people got worse, especially after Russia entered the First World War. There were many strikes and revolts, and the Tsar was forced to give up power (March 1917). After a few months of a provisional government, the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, seized control of the country ( ). The name Russian Empire was changed into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The theories at the base of the Russian Revolution had been expressed by the German political economist in his and later on in ( ). The pigs in are based on Communist Party leaders, as we will see in the next Extensions. Mr Jones represents Nicholas II, whereas Old Major symbolises both Karl Marx and Lenin. Animal Farm 4 5 Nicholas II 6 October Revolution Karl Marx Communist Manifesto Das Kapital Capital Animal Farm A sinistra: Karl Marx (1818-1883). A destra: Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924). : the state of being disappointed because the person you admired or the idea you believed to be good and true now seems without value. : a political group that took power in Russia in 1917 and from which the Communist Party of the Soviet Union arose. A soviet is an elected governmental council. : a period of time when workers refuse to work because of a disagreement over pay or conditions. 4. disillusionment 5. Bolshevik 6. strike
