Animal Farm

Snowball was a very good speaker and was able to persuade the animals to see his point of view. For example, Snowball encouraged the animals to perform their work better and more efficiently after the Rebellion (Orwell). However, Snowball also had weaknesses, he was nave to the possibility that others (Napoleon) may not share his goals and principles. He never considered the idea that his popularity with the animals and his disagreements with Napoleon would cause Napoleon to act against him. As a result, he was not prepared when Napoleon took action against him, and, therefore, was chased away from Animal Farm.
             In late February 1917 the Soviets were under control by a great motivator, Vladimir Lenin. Lenin was aided in his reign by two prominent communist allies, Trotsky and Stalin. The three guided soviet policy, promising workers and soldiers food, abundant land, and an end to Russia's involvement in the war. In October of 1917, Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin decided to make their move. On October 24, 1917, the assault on the Provisional government in St. Petersburg began (Volkogonov, pg 98). By the following night, the Provisional Government had fallen. Before Lenin could bring about the golden days of the new government, he suffered three paralyzing strokes. In 1922, the last stroke took his life. A new leader was needed, however both Trotsky and Stalin accepted the responsibility. "Trotsky was a brilliant speaker and writer. His passionate support of communism had provided much of the fire in the early years of the soviets- (Volkogonov, pg 106). He was a visionary thinker, and hoped to carry out his friend, Lenins', vision and transform Russia into an industrial inspiration. "When he spoke in defense of these dreams, he was so passionate that he gained many loyal followers. He was an intellectual giant, and a formidable opponent for Joseph Stalin- (Deutscher, pg 76). However, "Stalin had his strengths, when Trotsky dreamed, Stalin was focused on creating bonds of loyalty with powerful Soviet men.