E X T E N S I O N NAPOLEON-STALIN AND SNOWBALL-TROTSKY The USSR soon became a dictatorship1 under Joseph Stalin (1879-1953), who is represented by Napoleon. Napoleon is the pig who slowly becomes the leader of Animal Farm after the Rebellion. He uses military force (his nine loyal attack dogs) to intimidate2 the other animals and increase his power. Stalin took control of the Communist Party in 1927 and remained in power until his death. He eliminated all opposition in a cruel way and used propaganda; this created an image of him as a great and good leader and helped to build a cult of personality around him. Napoleon is represented as a morally bad character who takes advantage of every situation. Napoleon is never directly involved in the rebellion. He never shows interest in Animal Farm itself; he is only interested in his power over it. He educates the dog puppies and they become his own private secret police, in the same way that Stalin had his. His name is that of the French general Napoleon Bonaparte, who betrayed3 the democratic principles of the French Revolution, becoming a dictator just like the kings before him. Napoleon the pig can easily represent any of the great dictators in world history, even those who came after Animal Farm was written. 1. dictatorship: government by a dictator. 2. intimidate: to frighten or threaten somebody so that they will do what you want. 3. betray: to ignore your principles or beliefs in order to achieve something or gain an advantage for yourself. Napoleon Bonaparte (portrait, 1797) Stalin (1932) 52