1. Propaganda and Disinformation: Napoleon spreads false rumors and propaganda to discredit Snowball. He manipulates the other animals by claiming Snowball is working with humans and plans to betray the farm.
2. Intimidation and Violence: Napoleon uses his dogs, who are fiercely loyal to him, to intimidate and suppress any opposition. These dogs become a symbol of fear and power on the farm.
3. Sabotage and Framing: Napoleon's henchmen secretly disrupt Snowball's plans, such as the windmill project, and then blame Snowball for the failures. This casts doubt on Snowball's competence and loyalty.
4. Character Assassination: Napoleon and his supporters engage in character assassination by portraying Snowball as a traitor and a dreamer who is out of touch with reality. They exaggerate his flaws and minimize his accomplishments.
5. Control of Information: Napoleon takes control of the farm's communication channels, including the newspaper and the meetings, to ensure that only his voice is heard. This prevents Snowball from defending himself or presenting his ideas.
6. Alliances and Manipulation: Napoleon forms strategic alliances with other animals who are loyal to him, such as the pigs. He uses his charismatic personality to gain their support and influence their opinions.
7. Scapegoating: Napoleon deflects blame for any problems or failures by making Snowball the scapegoat. He convinces the animals that Snowball is the root of all their troubles and must be eliminated.
By employing these means, Napoleon effectively discredits and marginalizes Snowball, cementing his own position as the undisputed leader of the farm.