Revolution in Russia

Do Now

Listen to the national anthem for the USSR (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).

Read the English translation of the lyrics.

What feeling do you get from the music/lyrics? What images does it make you think of?

Is it similar or different from the NZ national anthem? How?

Unit Learning Objectives

Understand the forces that led to the overthrow of the tsar in Russia

Explain the revolution that occurred because of that force

Describe the causes and consequences of the revolution

Describe how the Russian revolution & communism influenced people’s lives

AS 2.5:

Examine how a force or movement in an historical setting influenced people’s lives, in essay format

2009 Exam Question

Describe and explain how a force or movement influenced a specific individual or group of people to try to improve the lives of their fellow countrymen and women. Describe and explain how successful these attempts were.

What are forces and movements?

Meaning Examples in history

Force

(‘mummy’)

Dynamic, energetic, intense, vigorous, strength, power, compelling, coerce

•Nationalism•Imperialism•Democracy•Feminism•racism

•Colonisation•Conservatism•Religion•Communism•fascism

Movement

(‘child’)

Propel, persuade, push, instigate, advance, stir, progress, drive

•Suffrage•Temperance•Muslim League•Viet Minh

•Kingitanga•Pan-slavism

Locate Russia & its geographical features Using the atlas, find Russia. List its major cities,

bodies of water, mountainous areas, bordering countries.

Which country shares the longest border with Russia?

Which ocean is along Russian’s longest coastline? Why do you think it was useless for shipping for

much of the year?

When you think of Russia, what comes to mind?Make a list of at least 5 aspects with your group.

Read the page 2 blurb about Russia’s geography.

Key historical figures

Tsar Nicholas II

Vladimir Lenin

Peasants, workers and the rich…

How did Russians live in 1900?

80% peasants, 10% workers, 10% middle class, 1.5% owned most of the land & resources

Three groups: read about your ‘lives’ and educate the others.Peasants Workers Rich & Middle

Class

Russia in the 19th century…

Increasing contact between Russia & Western Europe about technology and the beginnings of industrialisation. BUT instead of political freedom and liberalism, Russia became even more dominated by the autocratic Tsar.

Russia in the 19th century…

Whereas Western countries were enjoying increasing freedom of the press, the right to vote, and worker’s rights, the Russian government became more oppressive and controlled opposition by terror.

Russia in the 19th century…

Whereas Western agriculture was modernising and the rural population was urbanising, in Russia agriculture was technologically backward.

Peasants had only been released from serfdom in 1861.

Russia in the 19th century…

Whereas Western Europe developed an influential middle class of business people and professionals and the role of aristocracy declined, Russia’s countryside continued to be controlled by a few aristocratic and often absentee landowners.

19th century Russia – backward & repressive…

Whereas political change tended to come from parliament and the law in Western Europe, there was limited reform in Russia so revolutionary unrest, influenced by Western ideas, grew.

By 1894 Russian Government and society were backward and repressive.

Peasants, workers and the rich….review

Read the handouts of the groups in Russian society in 1894.

Complete the activity – match the numbers with the letters.

What is autocracy?

One person rules; usually refers to monarchs who rule alone. No or little influence by a parliament.

Q & A

1. List some of the difficulties faced by peasants in Tsarist Russia.

2. What was the Edict of Emancipation?

3. Why were peasants disappointed by emancipation?

4. What can we learn from the photograph about living conditions for city workers?

Key terms

Autocracy Serfdom Mir Flog Industrial development Noble

Q & A

Answer questions 1-3 on page 5.

Watch ‘Russian Revolution’ Chapter 1: The Last Tsar.

What was the Russian Empire?

Read pages 4-5.

Draw a picture (with some dialogue or captions) that illustrates:

• National & ethnic minorities• How Russia was governed • How opposition was dealt with