What is The October Revolution?
The October Revolution occurred from March 8 to November 8 of 1917, Russia.
The long term causes were economic concerns and hardship. Most of the agricultural land was owned by the the royal family and nobility, yet the peasants, a large majority, were forced to pay extremely high amounts of tax back to the landlords. In industries and factories, workers had to work intensively for long hours yet severely low wages. Despite all the conditions the peasants were suffering under, the Czarist government didn't try to improve the conditions. In addition the imbalance of the social structure due to only the rich being able to attend education made Russia a 'backwards' economy. The short term causes were the taxes from the government on the peasants hugely increased. Also, the World War I had taken away many young men, who could have been strong peasants, into war. Families of these war-bound peasants revolt the Tsarist government for being poorly managed and supplied. (The Russian Revolution of 1917, 2013) Between every ruling of a Tsar there would be a 'reform' to make the Tsar more politically acceptable. It is a cycle, the 'reform-repression-reform' cycle; reform includes land reform of some of the agricultural land to a small portion of peasants. After the reforming stage, the laws changed, there would be insurance supported for all rich and poor, supporting in illness, child birth, orphanage, old age and unemployment. There would also be repayment of unemployed workers.Many people wanted democracy , but Provisional Government lost the supports and delayed the elections due to lack of responsibility and confidence. Majority of people wanted the reforms of lands, however the government disagreed and wanted to enhance their positions. Also the government controlled the problems of food shortages with Tsar.
The long term causes were economic concerns and hardship. Most of the agricultural land was owned by the the royal family and nobility, yet the peasants, a large majority, were forced to pay extremely high amounts of tax back to the landlords. In industries and factories, workers had to work intensively for long hours yet severely low wages. Despite all the conditions the peasants were suffering under, the Czarist government didn't try to improve the conditions. In addition the imbalance of the social structure due to only the rich being able to attend education made Russia a 'backwards' economy. The short term causes were the taxes from the government on the peasants hugely increased. Also, the World War I had taken away many young men, who could have been strong peasants, into war. Families of these war-bound peasants revolt the Tsarist government for being poorly managed and supplied. (The Russian Revolution of 1917, 2013) Between every ruling of a Tsar there would be a 'reform' to make the Tsar more politically acceptable. It is a cycle, the 'reform-repression-reform' cycle; reform includes land reform of some of the agricultural land to a small portion of peasants. After the reforming stage, the laws changed, there would be insurance supported for all rich and poor, supporting in illness, child birth, orphanage, old age and unemployment. There would also be repayment of unemployed workers.Many people wanted democracy , but Provisional Government lost the supports and delayed the elections due to lack of responsibility and confidence. Majority of people wanted the reforms of lands, however the government disagreed and wanted to enhance their positions. Also the government controlled the problems of food shortages with Tsar.
Why did Orwell represent the October Revolution this way?
The October Revolution began on October 1917, when the Soviet revolution leaders eliminated the Tsar and promote communism. This was exactly how the animals gained power in Animal Farm. With his portrayal of the October Revolution, Orwell described how power corrupts anyone who comes close to it portraying the October Revolution more as a passing on of power rather than a drastic change. In Animal Farm, Napoleon, first seen as a revolutionary leader who was greatly looked up to and idolized just filled the power vacuum left by the departure of the farmer. (The Animal Farm and the Russian October Revolution, 2013) The power of hungry pig seized control of the Farm and kept amending the laws first founded by Old Major. Napoleon’s rules was seemed to be influential and representative, but he broke all the seven commandments, which became a cruel monarchy. Old Major represented Lenin, who founded the Russian Communist Party and led the Revolution. Napoleon disregarded all this and got rid of Snowball, just as Stalin succeeded Lenin and killed off Trotsky. In this way, power was simply transferred from the feudal system of the Tzars to the bloody dictatorship that prevailed under Stalin.
Was he successful?
Orwell reflects the exact timeline of the Russian Revolution in Animal Farm. At the start of 1917, the Russian Revolution began after the abdication of Nicholas II where in Animal Farm, the animals fought agains Mr. Jones and in the battle of Cowshed. In 1923, Stalin and Trotsky were known to struggle between who owns the power, and in Animal Farm, Napoleon and Snowball have split in disagreement. Later on, Trotsky was expelled from the party just as Snowball got chased away by dogs. The windmill was built in Animal Farm and this reflected the beginning of industrialization in 1929. In 1932, many people did not want to work for Stalin and this starved millions of workers, just as in Animal Farm, Hens were starved to death. The examples continues and Orwell successfully portrays the history within his novel.
Bibliography:
1. The Russian Revolution. (n.d.).rationalrevolution.net - Making sense of history, economics, politics, philosophy, and war. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.rationalrevolution.net/war/russian_revolution.htm
2. Csanad. (n.d.). The Animal Farm and the Russian October Revolution. Csanad on HubPages. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://csanad.hubpages.com/hub/The-Animal-Farm-and-the-Russian-October-Revolution
2. Csanad. (n.d.). The Animal Farm and the Russian October Revolution. Csanad on HubPages. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://csanad.hubpages.com/hub/The-Animal-Farm-and-the-Russian-October-Revolution