Matching Russian Timeline to Animal Farm

How great is Animal Farm? That's a rhetorical question, of course, but feel free to let me know how great you think it is anyway. 

I've just finished putting together all my resources for an Animal Farm/Elysium comparative study. I'm doing this with my Preliminary Advanced class for Term 2, and I'm looking forward to teaching it and discussing it and doing all those teacherly things.

A lot of the comparative study is context-driven, which means talking about Orwell, class divisions, allegory, fables, etc. Perhaps the most significant contextual element when it comes to Animal Farm is 20th Century Russian history; it would certainly be very difficult indeed to teach the allegorical function of Orwell's modern 'fairy story' without drawing comparisons between it and the Russian Revolution. 

The resource below pulls together a series of characters and plot points from Animal Farm and comparable events/people from Russian history. Students read through the sheet and must decide for themselves which elements from Russia fit with Orwell's text. 

Animal Farm and Russian History - Mix and Match Activity

Here are the answers for teacher-reference.

A. Karl Marx formulates the theory of Communism matches with Old Major comes up with the philosophy of Animalism.

B. Tsar Nicholas II's poor leadership leads to famine and food shortages matches with Mr Jones rules over the farm and forgets to feed his livestock. 

C. The aristocracy (upper class) exploits the peasants and workers matches with Man does not produce anything, and instead lives off the work of the animals.

D. Stalin makes a deal with Hitler, who then invades Russia. England does not help because they see Stalin as evil matches with Napoleon makes a deal with his enemy, Frederick. The farmer then betrays him. Meanwhile, the other farmer, Pilkington refuses to help after being treated poorly by Animal Farm in the past.

E. Stalin encourages a 'cult of personality' wherein he is worshipped by the Russian people matches with Napoleon is worshiped as the 'Father of All Animals'.

F. Stalin pushes the Russian people to complete his 'Five Year Plans' so that Russia can become more modern matches with The animals are put to work with the extremely difficult goal of building a windmill. 

G. The Tsar is kicked off the throne after the Russian Revolution matches with The animals take over the farm and chase Mr Jones out. 

H. Marxism teaches that labour should be divided equally by all people matches with The animals decide that all work should be shared by all. 

I. Stalin is not a particularly popular leader but he excels at playing people off against each other matches with Napoleon is not charismatic but is able to use certain other animals to his advantage.

J. The Russian peasants and workers (the proletariat) live in very poor conditions matches with The animals' lives are "miserable, laborious and short".

K. Stalin forces his enemies to confess in public 'show trials' before executing them. This is known as 'The Purges' matches with Animals are forced to confess to false crimes before being executed.

L. Stalin makes use of the NKVD (Russian secret police) to punish his enemies matches with Napoleon trains the pups to be his loyal and vicious servants. 

M. Other countries and former allies of the Tsar attack the communists in the Russian Civil War matches with The other farmers attack Animal Farm to try and take it back from the animals.

N. The Communist leader Trotsky wants to spread Marxism throughout the world matches with Snowball wants to spread Animalism to other farms.

O. Stalin wants to concentrate on preserving Communism in Russia and doesn't care about spreading Marxism to other countries matches with Napoleon wants to concentrate on protecting and defending Animalism in just Animal Farm. 

P. Communist Russia becomes a totalitarian regime matches with Animal Farm becomes the thing it rebelled again.

Q. There is a power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky, ending with Trotsky being exiled from Russia matches with There is a power struggle between Napoleon and Snowball ending with Snowball's expulsion from Animal Farm.

R. The Five Year Plans fail after being interrupted by WWII matches with The windmill remains unbuilt after so much effort.

S. The perfect worker Stakhanov is used in propaganda to inspire other Russian workers matches with Boxer's motto of 'I will work harder' inspires the other animals.

T. The Communist Party uses propaganda and censorship to influence the Russian people matches with Squealer feeds the animal misinformation in order to manipulate them.

U. Stalin decides to start trading with the rest of Europe matches with Napoleon decides to start trading with the farmers.

V. Stalin blame Trotsky for all of Russia's problems matches with The absent Snowball is blamed for the destruction of the windmill. 

W. Eastern Orthodox priests pacify the Russian people with tales of Heaven and Jesus, and have close ties with the Tsar of Russia matches with Moses tells the animals stories of 'Sugarcandy Mountain', a paradise that animals go to after they die, and is looked after by Mr Jones. 

X. Lenin's body is displayed in Moscow for the Russian people to pay their respects to matches with Old Major's skull is displayed in a central location for all the animals to see.