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1984 in Context
George Orwell wrote 1984
in 1949, but in order to
understand why he wrote
this novel, we must
understand the era in
which he was writing.
World War II
Axis
Germany
1939 – 1945
vs.
Allies
Great Britain
Japan
Soviet Union
Italy *
United States
Totalitarian Regimes
Axis
Germany
-Hitler
Japan
1939 – 1945
vs.
Allies
Great Britain
Italy *
-Mussolini
Soviet Union
-Stalin
United States
Totalitarianism
A political system where the state (controlled by
a single person or ruling party) seeks to
control all aspects of public and private life.
Totalitarian regimes are often marked by:
- abuse of powers
- corruption
- punishment without judicial process
- propaganda intended to control citizens
How might your life be controlled
living under a Totalitarian regime?
Adolf Hitler
• Rose to power in 1932
during economic
depression.
• Eliminated political
enemies, Jews,
communists, supporters
who lacked enthusiasm,
disabled, gypsies,
homosexuals, etc.
How does the leader of a civilized 20th century
society conduct mass murder on the largest
scale without losing the support of his nation?
Controlling Nazi Germany
• Send non-supporters to Concentration Camps
• Persuade public through propaganda films,
posters, radio broadcasts, newspapers, etc.
Control the media!
• Minister of Propaganda: Joseph Goebbels
• Blame others! Jews and Communists are the
reason for all troubles in Germany.
• Hitler Youth (or Nazi Boy/Girl Scouts) created
to control the minds of the future generations.
Long Live Germany!
It costs 60,000
Reich Marks a
year to keep
this man alive.
People, this is
your money!
1945: Allies win!
• The end of World War II marked the beginning
of the Cold War.
– Why was it called the Cold War?
– Whom did it involve?
– Why did the sides oppose one another?
The Iron Curtain
Joseph Stalin
Stalin’s Reign
• Small part of the original Russian Revolution
(1917), but claimed later to have been a
central hero in the cause.
• Several “Five Year Plans” that outlined a
successful economic future for Soviet Union.
• Alteration of past and present.
• Many “purges” in which thousands of enemies
were killed. Forced confessions (mostly false)
were followed by executions.
Red book is titled "5
year plan" while evil
capitalist says:
"Fantasy, nonsense,
utopia"
Below: factories fly
banners:
"Industrialization,
Collectivization of
Farms"
Be on guard!
Eric Blair aka George Orwell
• A self-described
“Democratic Socialist”
– Favored democratic
freedoms, but also
economic socialism.
– Not a capitalist or
communist.
– Adamant opposition to
totalitarianism.
Eric Blair aka George Orwell
• Wrote Animal Farm in 1945.
– Presents idealistic start to Russian Revolution
betrayed by corrupt leadership.
• Wrote 1984 in 1949 (35 years into the future)
– A warning, not a prediction.
• Died in 1950.