Topic title: Did a monk bring down a dynasty?
Year group: 9
When taught: October/ November
What are we learning?
- What Russia was like before the 1917 revolution
- The long- and short-term causes of the Russian Revolution
- Consider the relative importance of these causes
- To assess the degree to which Rasputin was a cause of the Russian Revolution
- The key events of the Russian Revolution.
Why is this important to know?
- The Russian Revolution had huge ramifications in Russia, Europe and beyond
- An understanding of the causes is key to understanding the impact of communism in Russia and the wider world
- The 1917 revolutions help explain the fear of communism in the west and its consequences such as the rise of fascist groups before WW2.
- To gain a global perspective of early C20th history
- Opportunity to develop our skills of evaluation further.
Where does this link to our past and future learning?
- It explains the abdication of Tsar Nicolas II and Russia’s exit from WWI
- Understanding of the term ‘revolution’ from year 8
- Links to the horrors of the Eastern Front during WW1
- Concepts of power: autocracy, constitutional monarchy and democracy.
- Links to understanding of interwar Europe
- It links to our future topic on the rise of the dictators in interwar Europe and gives an insight into the rise of communism in Russia
- It feeds into our future topics on political systems and ideologies including communism, fascism, democracy and dictatorship.
- Furthers understanding of causation, the relative importance of each of the causes and links between causes.
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- This topic will be assessed in the Year 9 exam.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
- Use of specific and detailed evidence to support points
- Consistent use of key terms and subject specific vocabulary
- Ability to select, organise and prioritise information
- To evaluate causes and their relative importance
- To explore how different historians have different views on the role of Rasputin in the downfall of the Romanovs
What key words are there in this topic?
Year 9 History – The Russian Revolution Flashcards | Quizlet
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Consider the conditions in Russia pre-revolution for different sectors of society
- To compare Russia pre revolution with other European countries such as Germany and Britain
- Research different interpretations about the role Rasputin played, if at all, in causing the Russian Revolution. Consider how interpretations have changed over time.
What wider reading can be done on this topic?
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- ‘World War One’ by Dominic Sandbrook
- A People’s Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924 by Orlando Figes
- The Last of the Tsars by Robert Service
- Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis by SA Smith
Useful online links for wider reading
- Lenin and the Russian Revolution by Steven Phillips
- Russia under Tsarism and Communism by Terry Fiehn & Chris Corin
Supporting documents/ links
- Students will be given a knowledge organiser at the end of the topic to revise for the end of topic assessment.
