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Topic Title: Russia: Revolution and Dictatorship, 1914-53

Year group: 12 (continued in Year 13)

When taught: All Year

What are we learning?

  • Russia on the eve of revolution, conditions for the Russian people, Tsar Nicholas II’s rule and the impact of World War One
  • The course and nature of the February Revolution
  • The key events of 1917, including Lenin’s return in April, the July Day, Kerensky’s rule and Kornilov affair)
  • The October Revolution
  • The Bolshevik consolidation of power
  • The Russian Civil War
  • Lenin’s Economic policies (War Communism and NEP)
  • Foreign Relation and the Establishment of the USSR
  • Stalin’s Rise to Power and The Great Turn

Why is this important to know? 

  • The Russian Revolution is one of the most significant events of the twentieth century and its impact was felt both in Russia and beyond

Where does this link into our past and future learning? 

  • They Year 12 course helps us to understand the establishment of the Bolshevik regime, which helps us to understand how Stalin came to rule Russia in the 1930s, which we will study in Year 13.
  • The Russian Revolution sits around other world events studied at GCSE, such as Weimar and Nazi Germany and the Cold War.
  • The course really develops historical skills and independent learning, vital for university study.

How will we be assessed on this topic?

  • There is a 1.5hr AS Exam at the end of Year 12 which includes one question evaluating historical sources and one essay (from a choice of two)
  • We complete practice exam style questions throughout the year.
  • Factual recall is assessed periodically through short tests and quizzes.

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic?  What are teachers hoping to see?  

  • Attention to detail and use of specific examples
  • The ability to explain, evaluate and analyse carefully.
  • Appreciating primary source material, looking at its argument/viewpoint, tone/emphasis and considering the implications of its provenance
  • Giving balanced answers that look at different viewpoints
  • At the highest level, appreciating the more nuanced and complex aspects of this topic, for example seeing how different people, places or time periods experienced things differently
  • A willingness to explore the topic in depth through wider reading.

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?

  • Read in more depth about the Russian Revolution. The school library has several excellent books.

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