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In Animal Farm, Old Major believes that the ideal situation for animals were occur if he can rid himself of all dealings with man. In principal, these are the ideals behind the Seven Commandments. Old Major believes that no animal should deal in any type of trade because as he sees it, this is simply a way for man to take from an animal. For instance, eggs should not be taken from hens-they should belong to the hens to produce trade. Furthermore, he is (naturally) against any type of animal slaughter- whether for food or body bi-products (such as the knacker). Old Major thinks that animals are self-sufficient and that man and man alone is the only creatute who takes without contributing.
In Animal Farm, Old Major is the visionary behind the revolution. It is Old Major's dreams and views that inspire the animals to actually rebel against the farmer and his men. In a speech he gives to the animals, he outlines what he believes the future of the farm should be and how the animals should live together.
"Major identifies man as the cause of all the problems for the animals. It is man alone who consumes without producing. Get rid of man, he says, and animals will be rich and free. Jones abuses his animals. Old Major predicts that even Boxer will be sold to the knacker to be boiled down for glue and dog food “the very day that those great muscles of yours lose their power.” (Orwell)
After the rebellion, and out of Old Major's speech, the animals develop the belief system known as Animalism and the seven commandments that are painted on a sign that represent the foundational principles that are to govern their behavior after the rebellion. The seven principles are:
"1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal."
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