What is totalitarianism? Totalitarianism is, from the dictionary definition, relating to a political regime based on subordination of the individual to the state and strict control of all aspects of life. Old Major, is a boar that could resemble Lenin who started the Russian Revolution. Also, Napoleon, resembling Stalin, seems to have the same characteristics. Snowball, seems to resemble Trotsky because he fights for power with Napoleon after Old Major dies just as Trotsky did with Stalin after Lenin died. The events that would show the relationship between Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution is the Great Purge, collective system, and the destruction of religion.
I feel that because of totalitarianism, Russia and Animal Farm did not become the utopia people or animals had hoped for. Instead, it corrupted the rulers and destroyed many innocent lives. In Animal Farm Napoleon ruled through fear, as did Stalin in his time. They both also ruled through deception by twisting things around so that they look good. Lastly, both lived in luxury while their people suffered in famine. .
In the book Animal Farm, a pig named Napoleon used a government called totalitarianism to rule Jones's manor. This form of government leaves all the power to one person. Napoleon abused his power by controlling the animals through fear. An event that could be related to the Russian Revolution is when Napoleon had all the animals that he believed was working against him be killed. This is just like what Stalin did. He had all the intellectual people in Russia be killed because he was afraid of those who can overthrow him. This slaughter is called the Great Purge. Napoleon used this massacre as a demonstration of what would happen if he found out that someone was conspiring against him. Also, as Stalin had a secret police doing all the dirty work to keep him in power, Napoleon had dogs that would keep watch on all the animals to make sure they do not overthrow Napoleon.
