The Russian Revolution
Printed Curriculum [$25]
Downloadable Curriculum [$20]
Class Set [$12.50 ea] (10 min)
First edition. August 2008.
Overview
The Russian Revolution traces the history of Russia from 1861-1923. The unit focuses on the political, social, and economic conditions that led to the fall of the Tsar and explores the competing political ideologies that contested Russia's future in 1917
In the early spring of 1917, millions of Russian people poured into the streets and clamored for "democracy," a word that meant different things to different people at the time.
The Russian Revolution marked the beginning of an effort to remake the world using socialism. Today, socialism, as imagined by Marx and Lenin, seems to have been consigned "...to the dustbin of history," to use Trotsky's phrase. Yet it is also worth considering why those with aspirations of building a liberal democracy in Russia failed to do so in 1917. What conditions existed that allowed Lenin to grab the reins of power and put into place a totalitarian state and not a democracy? What are the role and responsibilities of citizens in political transitions? What lessons exist for us today as societies undergo political change?
Readings
The reading traces the history of Russia from the end of serfdom through Lenin's consolidation of power. Readings are intended to prepare students to consider thoughtfully the political forces at play in 1917.
- Part I explores Russia from the end of serfdom to the Russo-Japanese War of 1905.
- Part II examines the revolutionary period of 1905-1917.
- The Epilogue examines Lenin's consolidation of power.
The Choices Role Play
The Russian Revolution presents students with the questions and challenges facing Russia at a moment of political and social upheaval. At the core of the unit is a framework of the four distinct options Russians considered in early spring 1917. The choices included mounting a concerted effort to construct a liberal democracy, constructing a more just society while working with the Provisional Government to win World War I, remaking Russia into a Marxist society after the war was won, and continuing the Marxist revolution immediately while withdrawing from the war.
Lessons
The Teacher Resource Book accompanying The Russian Revolution contains a day-by-day lesson plan and student activities.
- Day 1: The lesson plan opens with an activity that explores Russian peasant life.
- Alternative Day 1: An alternative lesson examines Russian geography.Day 2: On the second day students will engage in an exercise to understand competing political parties.
- Optional: An optional lesson invites students to consider the symbols and language of the revolution.
- Days 3 and 4: The third and fourth days feature a simulation in which students assume the roles of Russians debating their future in Petrograd's Znamenskaya Square. The simulation includes several undecided Russian citizens who will consider each option group's presentation.
- Day 5: On the fifth day, students examine the Civil War and Lenin's leadership role.