History: Revolutions Unit 4: The Russian Revolution (1896-1927)

Prerequisites

History: Revolutions Unit 3.

Course Description

Revolutions represent great ruptures in time and are a major turning point which brings about the collapse and destruction of an existing political order resulting in a pervasive change to society. Revolutions are caused by the interplay of ideas, events, individuals and popular movements. Their consequences have a profound effect on the political and social structures of the post-revolutionary society. Revolution is a dramatically accelerated process whereby the new order attempts to create political and social change and transformation based on a new ideology.

In this unit students develop an understanding of the complexity and multiplicity of causes and consequences in the Russian Revolution of 1917. They construct an argument about the past using primary sources as evidence and evaluate the extent to which the revolution brought change to the lives of people. They consider how perspectives of the revolution give an insight into the continuity and change experienced by those who lived through dramatic revolutionary moments. Students evaluate historical interpretations about the causes and consequences of revolution and the effects of change instigated by the new order.

Areas of Study

Causes of Revolution: Russia 1896 – 26 October 1917

What were the significant causes of revolution?
How did the actions of popular movements and particular individuals contribute to triggering a revolution?
To what extent did social tensions and ideological conflicts contribute to the outbreak of revolution?

In this area of study students analyse the long-term causes and short-term triggers of revolution. They evaluate how revolutionary outbreaks are caused by the interplay of significant events, ideas, individuals and popular movements and assess how these were directly or indirectly influenced by the social, political, economic and cultural conditions.

Revolutions can be caused by the motivations and the intended and unintended actions of individuals who shape and influence the course of revolution. Individuals including Tsar Nicholas II and Lenin in Russia had a significant impact on the course of revolution. Popular movements showed that collective action could be transformed into revolutionary forces that could contribute to or hinder revolution as they sought to destroy the old order.

Consequences of Revolution: Russia October 1917 - 1927

What were the consequences of revolution?
How did the new regime consolidate its power?
What were the experiences of those who lived through the revolution?
To what extent was society changed and revolutionary ideas achieved or compromised?

In this area of study students analyse the consequences of the revolution and evaluate the extent to which it brought change to society. The success of the revolution was not inevitable; therefore, students analyse the significant challenges that confronted the new regime after the initial outbreak of revolution. Furthermore, they evaluate the success of the new regime’s responses to these challenges and the extent to which the consequences of revolution resulted in dramatic and wide reaching social, political, economic and cultural change, progress or decline.

As the new order attempted to consolidate power, they were challenged by those who opposed change. They unleashed civil war and counter-revolutions, making the survival and consolidation of the revolution the principal concern of the revolutionary state. The consequences of these challenges sometimes resulted in a compromise of revolutionary ideologies, as the leaders of the new order became more authoritarian and responded with violence and policies of terror and repression, initiating severe policies of social control as pragmatic strategies to stay in power.

Assessment

Outcomes	Assessment Tasks	Marks Allocated
Outcomes	(school-assessed coursework)	Marks Allocated
Analyse the causes of revolution, and evaluate the contribution of significant ideas, events, individuals and popular movements.	Historical inquiry. Analysis of primary sources.	50
Analyse the consequences of revolution and evaluate the extent of change brought to society.	Evaluation of historical interpretations. Essay.	50
Total Marks		100

Overall Final Assessment

Graded Assessment	Title	Assessment	Exam Duration	Contribution to Study Score (%)
1	Unit 3 Coursework	School-assessed		25
2	Unit 4 Coursework	School-assessed		25
3	Written Examination	November	2 hours	50