Gaddafi In 1984

1984 Paper Over the course of human history, tyrants have always existed. No matter what continent or race of people, evil leaders have existed. One such leader like this was Muammar Gaddafi. Gaddafi, born June 7, 1942, ruled the North African country of Libya for over 42 years. (Asser 1). Gaddafi ruled with an iron fist and imposed very strict laws and death on his enemies. Many parallels can be found between the government that Gaddafi created and the one that exists in George Orwell’s 1984. The government created by Muammar Gaddafi and the government created by George Orwell in 1984 are strikingly similar. Muammar Gaddafi was born in a tent In 1942 in western Libya. From an early age, Gaddafi grew to resent the Westerners (Italians) who occupied Libya and killed his grandfather. Gaddafi was taught the religion of Islam from a young age, and became a devout Muslim. (Latson 1) Gaddafi eventually joined the military after he dropped out of college, and learned English in Britain. During the 50’s and 60’s, a man named King Idris ruled over Libya. He became increasingly unpopular with the public, and the breaking point of his reign was when a rebel group led by Gaddafi overthrew

The green book is very similar to the social system present in 1984. In 1984, the inner party members are given all the luxuries that the other people aren’t. (Orwell 167) Equivalently, members of Gaddafi’s inner circle were awarded lavish privileges that the rest of the Libyan people couldn’t even compare to. (Asser 4) In 1984, enemies of the party were assassinated. (Orwell 111) Gaddafi also practiced the killing of his political enemies.(Asser 4) Political propaganda was put out by Gaddafi, just like the posters of Big Brother in 1984. (Orwell 1). The two governments are so strikingly similar that one must wonder if Gaddafi took inspiration from Orwell’s