“injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice.” - h.l. mencken what aspects of...
TRANSCRIPT
“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
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 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?
Irony of the celebration
The end of World War II unofficially began the Cold War which lasted almost 50 years
Capitalism
Economic system in which most means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated.
Socialism
Various types of
theories or systems
which the ownership/
operation/distribution
of goods and services is
owned by the community
rather than individuals.
Communism
Same basic system as socialism, but with the idea that only revolution will create a communist state. Expansionism/Military might is integral.
Karl Marx
Wrote The Communist Manifesto Partnered with
Frederick Engels Said to be the
father of
Communism/Marxism
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
“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.