What does the Battle of the Windmill in Animal Farm symbolize in real life events? In other words, what event in real life can be tied to the...

The Battle of the Windmill in Chapter 8 of Animal Farm represents the fighting in World War II, particularly the Soviet victories over the Nazis fought at great cost to the Soviets. Before this battle in the novel, Mr. Frederick of Pinchfield, a neighboring farmer, buys wood from Napoleon but pays for it with fake bank notes. As a result, Napoleon puts Frederick under a death sentence. This situation is similar to the relationship between the Soviet Union, represented by the animals, and the Nazis, represented by Frederick, at the outset of World War II. The Soviet Union and the Nazis had signed a Non-Aggression Pact in 1939, but then the Nazis went back on their word and attacked the Soviet Union in 1941. 

Frederick and his men attack the farm, and they blow up the windmill. The animals fight back, although Frederick's men have guns, and chase the men away. As a result, the animals suffer heavy losses, as several animals die. This result is similar to the heavy losses the Soviets suffered as they pushed the Nazis out of Russia. Like the Soviets, the animals celebrate their victory in the Battle of the Windmill with great fanfare.