“Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice.” - H.L. Mencken

What aspects of our society, politics, and economy do you dislike or think unfair? How do you want the government to change these things? What kind of government or society would you

prefer? What power do you have as an individual to create change?

Warm Up

Overview of Slideshow

Background of author/book Historical Figures Historical setting

Background of author/book

George Orwell is the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair.

Born in India in 1903 to

English missionaries Educated at Eton

College in England

Orwell’s Influence

Orwellian:

Of, relating to, or evocative of the works of George Orwell, especially the satirical novel 1984, which depicts a futuristic totalitarian state.

Orwell cont.

Most famous novels are Animal Farm and 1984 Wrote extensively on Totalitarianism*

*Government with total control over individuals, allowing for no dissention.

Anti-Utopian Writing

Orwell is considered

Anti-Utopian

(Dystopian) A Utopia is defined as

an ideally perfect place,

especially in its social,

political, and moral aspects.

What are some examples of attempts at creating a utopia?

What is Anti-Utopian? Writing which reveals the dark side of

utopian thinking. An ideal or perfect

place is not only unrealistic thinking, but it is possibly destructive because of human nature.

Historical Context

The book was published in May of 1945. What was happening in the world that year?

WW II Ends

Germany surrenders May 1945 Atomic bomb August 1945 Japan surrenders Sept. 1945

Irony of the celebration

The end of World War II unofficially began the Cold War which lasted almost 50 years

What are …

Communism Socialism Capitalism

Capitalism

Economic system in which most means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated.

The United States is an exampleof the capitalist system

Socialism

Various types of

theories or systems

which the ownership/

operation/distribution

of goods and services is

owned by the community

rather than individuals.

Sweden is an example of a socialist system

Communism

Same basic system as socialism, but with the idea that only revolution will create a communist state. Expansionism/Military might is integral.

North Korea is an example of a communist state

Important figures

Karl MarxLeon TrotskyVladimir

LeninJosef Stalin

Karl Marx

Wrote The Communist Manifesto Partnered with

Frederick Engels Said to be the

father of

Communism/Marxism

Marx quotes

“Religion is the opiate of the masses”

“History is economics in action”

Marxism/Communism

Theorizes that after a hostile takeover, the vacuum of power would be filled by a few leaders, then eventually their power would wither away and be given to the people.

Leon Trotsky

Russian Communist revolutionary

Birth name is Lev Bronstein

Expelled from Soviet Union because of

conflict with Stalin. Killed in Mexico in

1940

Vladimir Lenin

Russian revolutionary/leader and founder of Bolshevism (Soviet Communism)

Assumed leadership

of Soviet Union until his death in 1924.

Joseph Stalin (Dzugashvili)

Took dictatorial control of Soviet Union after the

death of Lenin in 1924 until his death in 1953. Known as the most ruthless leader of the 20th Century*.

Stalin cont.. Ukrainian forced famine

killed 7 million in Winter of ‘32-’33

Murdered his own advisors and generals in the “Great Purge” to instill a grip of fear.

Anyone opposed to his policies were either sent to Siberia or executed

Joseph Stalin quotes

“One death is a tragedy. One million deaths is a statistic.”

Joseph Stalin quotes

“It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”

Joseph Stalin quotes

Poster translated: The leader and

teacher of humanity in the fight for peace, democracy, and socialism.

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely!

-Lord Acton

The End