12: Imperial Russia, revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union (1855–1924)
LENIN
This section deals with modernization and conservatism in tsarist Russia and the eventual collapse of the tsarist autocracy, as well as the revolutions of 1917, the Civil War and the rule of Lenin. There is a focus on the concepts of change and continuity, with examination and consideration of the social, economic and political factors that brought about change.
- Lenin’s Russia/Soviet Union; consolidation of new Soviet state; Civil War; War Communism; New Economic Policy (NEP); terror and coercion; foreign relation
1. Russia 1917-1918
2. 1918
3. Russian Civil War 1918-1920 on one page
4. The Assassination attempt on Lenin 1918
5. Russian Civil War 1918-1920
6. Russia after the Civil War
7. Russian Foreign Policy after the Civil War 1920-1924
8. Lenin
NICHOLAS II
- Policies of Alexander III (1881–1894) and Nicholas II (1894–1917): economic modernization, tsarist repression and the growth of opposition
- Causes of the 1905 Revolution (including social and economic conditions and the significance of the Russo-Japanese War); consequences of the 1905 Revolution (including Stolypin and the Dumas)
- The impact of the First World War and the final crisis of autocracy in February/March 1917
- 1917 Revolutions: February/March Revolution; provisional government and dual power (Soviets); October/November Revolution; Bolshevik Revolution; Lenin and Trotsky
The Syllabus as you might remember states that ””This section deals with modernization and conservatism in tsarist Russia and the eventual collapse of the tsarist autocracy, as well as the revolutions of 1917, the Civil War and the rule of Lenin. There is a focus on the concepts of change and continuity, with examination and consideration of the social, economic and political factors that brought about change.” This part emphasize the social, economic and political factors. The words ”modernization and conservatism” becomes very important. NOTE: Most questions about Russia (Paper 3) after the Syllabus change has focused on the period 1894-1924. This section in HL also covers two Standard Level parts – Paper 2 (Authoritarian states – 20th century) – Lenin isn’t mentioned on the suggested list, but it also says ”Teachers are free to use examples from this list or any other appropriate examples”. In one other paper 2 part (Causes and effects of 20th century wars) both the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) and the Russian Civil War (1917-1922) are suggested! This section therefore is a very important section to study. I will start by giving you an overview and then some more in-depth texts. I will also add ”Work Papers” that I use for Paper 2:
1. Overview – (Textbook): Overview – Russia and Lenin
2. Overview – (My text): Overview more in detail – Russia 1894-1918
Work Papers:
3. Work Paper – Russo-Japanese War
4. Work Paper – Lenin
More detailed papers (sort of chronological order):
5. Russo-Japanese War – Causes
6. Russo-Japanese War – Course (Wikipedia)
7. Russo-Japanese War – Results
8. Wikipedia – Russian battleship Potemkin
9. Stolypin agrarian reforms are the agrarian reforms to Imperial Russia.
10. Lenin
11. Lenins April Theses 1917
12. October 1917 – January 1918
13.The Bolshevik Strategy 1917
Concentrate on reading the second paper: Overview more in detail – Russia 1894-1918
Summary Russia 1894-1917: Russia 1894-1917
WWI – HISTORIOGRAPHY
1. WWI – Origin Historiography 1
2. WWI – Origin Historiography 2
If you go into my Pre-IB Class you will find a lot of material about WWI (also the two papers above): World War One
ALEXANDER III
- Policies of Alexander III (1881–1894) and Nicholas II (1894–1917): economic modernization, tsarist repression and the growth of opposition
The Syllabus as you might remember states that ””This section deals with modernization and conservatism in tsarist Russia and the eventual collapse of the tsarist autocracy, as well as the revolutions of 1917, the Civil War and the rule of Lenin. There is a focus on the concepts of change and continuity, with examination and consideration of the social, economic and political factors that brought about change.” This part emphasize the social, economic and political factors. The words ”modernization and conservatism” becomes very important.
1. Overview – two pages (Encyclopedia Britannica): Alexander III – Article in Encyclopedia Britannica
2. Overview – textbook (Morris): Morris – Alexander III
When you have studied these two overviews you need to look closer at the economic modernization (that started under Alexander II), tsarist repression and the growth of opposition.
3. Timeline – Alexander III: Russia Timeline 1881-1894
4. Alexander III – Summary of Morris: Alexander III – Morris
5. Alexander III – Shorter summary: ALEXANDER III domestic and economic development
ALEXANDER II – REFORMS
- Alexander II (1855–1881): the extent of reform
The text above this point in the Syllabus states that ”This section deals with modernization and conservatism in tsarist Russia and the eventual collapse of the tsarist autocracy, as well as the revolutions of 1917, the Civil War and the rule of Lenin. There is a focus on the concepts of change and continuity, with examination and consideration of the social, economic and political factors that brought about change.” So your focus is ”Change or continuity” with an examination of the social, economic and political factors. Notice also the words ”modernization and conservatism”. To be able to do that I always suggest an overview of Alexander II’s time as Tsar first:
1. Overview – three pages (Encyclopedia Britannica): Alexander II – Article in Encyclopedia Britannica
2. Overview – textbook (Morris): Morris – Alexander II
When you have a background and an overview of Alexander II it’s time to take a look at the different reforms.
3. Here is a detailed textbook about Alexander II’s reforms: Alexander II Reforms – Textbook
4. Nice short article about the Emancipation of the Serfs: Emancipation of the Serfs
5. Two short articles about Alexander II’s reforms: Reforms of Alexander II
After reading the material above it’s time to work with the reforms in a more active way – a fill-in-page of the reforms. I told you that we at least count seven main reforms so you need to fill-in seven pages: Alexander II – Reforms – fill in
6. Stephen J. Lee is a very productive author and he writes good essays. As a nice end of the Alexander II assignment I want you to read his essay: Lee – The Reforms of Alexander II
7. Alexander II – Reforms: Alexander II Reforms
8. Alexander II – Summary of Morris: Morris – Alexander II – a summary
9. Alexander II – Previous Essays: Alexander II – Six questions and answers
RUSSIA 1855-1924
The IB Syllabus tells you exactly what you need to know. Here is the text from the Syllabus:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12: Imperial Russia, revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union (1855–1924)
This section deals with modernization and conservatism in tsarist Russia and the eventual collapse of the tsarist autocracy, as well as the revolutions of 1917, the Civil War and the rule of Lenin. There is a focus on the concepts of change and continuity, with examination and consideration of the social, economic and political factors that brought about change.
- Alexander II (1855–1881): the extent of reform
- Policies of Alexander III (1881–1894) and Nicholas II (1894–1917): economic modernization, tsarist repression and the growth of opposition
- Causes of the 1905 Revolution (including social and economic conditions and the significance of the Russo-Japanese War); consequences of the 1905 Revolution (including Stolypin and the Dumas)
- The impact of the First World War and the final crisis of autocracy in February/March 1917
- 1917 Revolutions: February/March Revolution; provisional government and dual power (Soviets); October/November Revolution; Bolshevik Revolution; Lenin and Trotsky
- Lenin’s Russia/Soviet Union; consolidation of new Soviet state; Civil War; War Communism; New Economic Policy (NEP); terror and coercion; foreign relation
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMENT: As you can see there is a certain focus on ”Change and Continuity” and a specific focus on ”social, economic and political factors that brought about change”. So when you do the more intensive study of this section it’s these things you make sure you can cover in a future essay question. To be able to give a good answer you need to have a certain historic knowledge (historic context). A 7 candidate should show a deeper level of understanding and therefore I will publish some papers here that gives a background to the coming of Tsar Alexander II in 1855.
OVERVIEW RUSSIA UP TO 1855
1. The first paper is one that I sent to you in an e-mail – Early Russian History. In this overview I have also added a text about Paul I. You should browse through this text (extensive – not intensive reading). Note the centralization of the political power to the ruler (authoritarian rule) as well as the expansion of the Russian Empire. I suggest you make two short papers with notes that gives you an idea of how the Russian political system was established (the authoritarian state) as well as the expansion of Russia (which areas were included and how big was Russia at the start of the 19th century):
Early Russia
2. The second papers briefly covers Tsar Alexander I (1801-1825). He started of as a ruler that wanted to make some reforms but he changed during his time in power. His later conservatism and his mysterious death had a certain impact on Russia. His foreign policy with a successful war against Napoleon gave Russia a strong military position in Europe. The authoritarian system during his later rule, the confusion about the concession and his foreign policy should be noticed:
Alexander I
Mysterious Death of Alexander I
3. The third papers focus on Tsar Nicholas I. He was a stern and harsh ruler that established the Russian autocratic conservatism of the 19th century. It’s a good idea to be able to describe the political power of Nicholas I since this power will be maintained by the following rulers (Tsars). Interesting to note is also his ideas of reforms – he realized that the system of serfdom was bad and took a few steps towards some changes which is of importance when we later describe Alexander II’s reforms. It’s during his rule we can see the start and growth of political opposition. Notice the unorganized protest attempts at the beginning of his rule; the start of some organizations and the way the intellectuals protested. In 1853 the Crimean War broke out and Nicholas I will pass away before it’s over. This war had a huge impact on Europe and also on the continuing rule of the Russian Empire. You don’t need to know any details about the war itself but you should know why Russia lost the war and what impact that had – both domestically and internationally.
Nicholas I
Crimean War 1853-1856
Russia thought it would be supported in the Crimean War…
ASSIGNMENT: Look at the material I published about Russia before 1855. Your assignment is to write a two-page essay (two pages maximum(!) – single-space – size 12) that describes the situation in Russia before Alexander II came into power. Focus should be the political, economic and social situation of Russia… Our agreement is that you will send the essay as a pdf-file no later than the early evening of Wednesday (6/1). We also agreed that you will send a copy of your first essay in History along with this assignment.
TEXTBOOK INFORMATION: I would also like a list of the textbooks you use – author, title, etc… (write it like you would write in a bibliography)