1. Napoleon (representing Joseph Stalin): Napoleon, the ambitious pig who seizes control of the farm, is widely seen as an allegory for Joseph Stalin. Both were ruthless leaders who used force and manipulation to consolidate their power. Napoleon's expulsion of Snowball (representing Leon Trotsky) and his eventual establishment of a totalitarian regime mirror Stalin's purge of his political opponents and the creation of a one-party state.
2. Snowball (representing Leon Trotsky): Snowball, the idealistic pig who advocates for windmill construction and a more democratic farm, represents Leon Trotsky. Both were revolutionary figures who envisioned a socialist society but were eventually sidelined by more authoritarian leaders. Snowball's expulsion from the farm parallels Trotsky's exile from the Soviet Union.
3. The Rebellion (representing the 1917 Russian Revolution): The initial rebellion of the animals against Mr. Jones, the human farmer, represents the 1917 Russian Revolution. Just like the Russian people overthrew the Tsarist regime, the animals overthrow their human oppressors, initially motivated by ideals of equality and liberation.
4. The Seven Commandments (representing the principles of communism): The Seven Commandments of Animalism, such as "All animals are equal" and "No animal shall wear clothes," represent the principles of communism, particularly the idea of classless society and communal ownership. However, as Napoleon's power grows, these commandments are gradually rewritten and twisted, mirroring the corruption and distortion of communist ideals in the Soviet Union.
5. The Pigs taking over the farm (representing the rise of the ruling class): The gradual takeover of the farm by the pigs, particularly Napoleon, mirrors the rise of a new ruling class in the Soviet Union. Initially, the animals were promised a society free from exploitation, but the pigs, through their clever manipulation and control of resources, ultimately end up as the new exploiters, living in luxury while the other animals toil. This reflects the rise of the Communist Party elite in the Soviet Union, which ultimately gained control of the economy and enjoyed privileges unavailable to the common people.