Internal Purges and the Reign of Terror

Traces the show trials, confessions, and executions that eliminate dissent and solidify Napoleon's absolute power.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Confessions

After the windmill is destroyed by the storm, Napoleon blames Snowball. He orders an investigation. With the dogs, he sniffs for Snowball's footprints, finding them everywhere. The animals are terrified. Squealer announces that Snowball was Jones's agent, and that the animals must be vigilant for traitors.

The Show Trial

Napoleon orders all animals to assemble. Four pigs who had protested the abolition of the Meetings are dragged forward. They confess to being in league with Snowball, to destroying the windmill, and to planning to hand the farm to Frederick. The dogs tear their throats out. The animals are horrified.

The Wave of Confessions

The three hens who led the egg rebellion, a goose, and two sheep confess to various crimes and are executed. The pile of corpses grows. The air smells of blood. The animals are shaken and miserable. They cannot believe that such violence is happening among themselves.

The Aftermath: Fear and Submission

The surviving animals creep away, huddling together on the knoll. They are too frightened to speak. Boxer tries to make sense of it, concluding that the fault must be in themselves and that they must work harder. The terror has succeeded in crushing any potential for resistance. The farm is now a police state.

Node 1

Node 2

Node 3

Node 4