How is George Orwell's Animal Farm a satire of the Russian Revolution?

Animal Farm is clearly a satire of the Russian Revolution. Orwell's book even received criticism in Britain by some reviewers as a result. At the start of the book, the farmer treated the animals poorly--this is meant to show the state of the Russian peasant under the leadership of the czars. Old Major is meant to symbolize Marx and his theories of state-control of the means of production. Old Major's theories of "Animalism" stated that...

Animal Farm is clearly a satire of the Russian Revolution. Orwell's book even received criticism in Britain by some reviewers as a result. At the start of the book, the farmer treated the animals poorly--this is meant to show the state of the Russian peasant under the leadership of the czars. Old Major is meant to symbolize Marx and his theories of state-control of the means of production. Old Major's theories of "Animalism" stated that the animals could work together as long as all goods were controlled centrally.  

The chief conflict early in the book is the rivalry between Snowball and Napoleon. Napoleon is ruthless and manages to rewrite history in order to place himself in key moments of the Revolution. Snowball, on the other hand, is more idealistic. Napoleon is based on Joseph Stalin, who was indeed ruthless in his use of mock trials and public executions. Snowball is based on Leon Trotsky, who, while being more idealistic, was chased out of the Soviet Union and killed while in exile in Mexico. The reader never knows what happens to Snowball in the novel, but Napoleon uses him whenever he needs a scapegoat.

Napoleon uses propaganda well in the story. He plays farmers off each other in order to get the best trade deals possible; Stalin used trade deals in order to establish Soviet relations with the outside world. Napoleon also uses his leadership to enrich his closest followers and secret police; Stalin's underlings lived like princes while most of Russia had a poor standard of living. Napoleon undertakes grand projects such as the building of the windmill as a monument to "Animalism;" Stalin built many monuments to his "greatness." Just like Stalin was paranoid, Napoleon also employs a food taster and his own secret police.