In George Orwell's novel, Animal Farm, the farm animals succeeded in overthrowing humans (the monarchy/dictatorship) to create their own democracy. The first “nation” is a fair and equal democracy. Towards the end of the book, the pigs (who have replaced humans) are corrupt, greedy and everything else is equal. What happened? Animals have lost their voice in government. Thomas Jefferson's argument that a democratic form of government needs well-educated citizens is well supported by this scenario. A thriving democracy requires educated citizens because they will be able to make sound decisions and participate effectively. Because the power of a democracy ultimately comes from the citizens, they must know how to use their power and make wise, informed decisions. If they are uneducated, they probably won't read the news or listen to the radio to talk about politics. The farm animals can't understand Snowball's big words, much less read or write. The only animal as learned as the pigs was Benjamin, but he “never exercised his faculties.” (Orwell 50). His knowledge remained unused. Uneducated citizens will not know when new bills are introduced or when laws are passed, so they cannot change them if it is not right. They are either too ignorant or not intelligent enough. Squealer repeatedly painted changes to the original Seven Commandments and the animals noticed the subtle changes, but when he came to tell the animals that their memories were wrong, the animals never doubted him. Even when the animals caught Squealer painting on words at midnight, they failed to make the connection between the changing commandments and the event they had just witnessed. Uneducated citizens have no say in policy making or... middle of paper ...... they are relieved because they believe all the lies Squealer feeds them. Every time Squealer reads detailed analyzes of the farm, hungry, sick and cold as they are, “the animals believed every word. » (Orwell 115). Pigs take advantage of the gullibility of animals. Also, they behave in the same way when Napoleon sends Boxer to the knackers. As the van takes him away, the animals, blind to the words on the side of the van, "...sang in chorus: 'Goodbye!' » » (Orwell 123). If the animals were smarter and could read, the pigs wouldn't have gotten away with it so easily. Even after Benjamin reads to them what the van says, Squealer convinces the animals that "the van previously belonged to the knacker and was purchased by the veterinarian, who had not yet painted the old name." » (Orwell125).Works CitedAnimal Farm, George Orwell