What were the state of affairs before the rebellion of the minor farm?

Did you mean when the animals were under Mr. Jones or at a point after that?

The animals see themselves oppressed by Mr. Jones, the farmer. They create a democratic coalition and quickly take over the farm, only to once again be oppressed by the consolidation of power among the pigs. Much like the Soviet intelligentsia, the pigs establish themselves as the ruling class in the new society.