Overview

George Orwell understood the dangers posed by the rise of totalitarian governments, and he wrote the novel 1984 as a warning to the world. This handout will provide students with historical information critical to understanding the plot and themes presented in 1984. Topics such as totalitarianism in the Soviet Union, Nazism in Germany, and dictatorship in Spain are explored. Pass out this support to students prior to reading 1984. Allow time for discussion and debate in your classroom on the subjects covered.

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