Worksheet to accompany the simulation by RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 1
Tsarist Russia: Long-Term Overview
• The long term causes of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 can be summarised
as a backward economy, an unstable society, a rigidly autocratic government
system, in an unmanageable geographical region.
Task 1
• Play the “From Russia with Love” simulation at www.activehistory.co.uk (it is in
the “Year 12” section of the “Interactive Games” area).
• This simulation is designed to teach you all about the strengths, weaknesses,
successes and failures of Tsarist Russia on the eve of World War One.
• Open a copy of the worksheet, and complete it as you progress through the
simulation.
• Note: There are “Extension Tasks” at the end of the worksheet, which will also
need to be completed.
Worksheet to accompany the simulation by RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 2
"From Russia with Love" - Worksheet
1. Key Individuals
Outline how each of the following are undermining the stability of Russia.
How did they undermine the country?
1a. Tsar
Nicholas II
1b. Tsarina
Alexandra
1c. Rasputin
2. Central Government
Reforms / Improvements
2a.
Agriculture
2b. Industry
Remaining concerns
Worksheet to accompany the simulation by RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 3
2c. The Army
2d. Legal
System
2e. Local
Government
2f. Police
System
2g. Transport
Worksheet to accompany the simulation by RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 4
3. Political Opposition
General Beliefs
Splits
Kadets:
3a. Liberals
(represent the
middle classes)
Oktobrists:
3b. Social
Democrats
(represent the
industrial
workers)
Mensheviks:
Bolsheviks:
3c. Social
Revolutionaries
(represent the
peasants)
Revolutionaries:
Anarchists:
4. National Minorities
Why does the Tsar want to keep them How has he done so, and with what
under close control?
effects?
4a. Poles
4b.
Ukrainians
4c. Jews
4d.
Georgians
Worksheet to accompany the simulation by RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 5
5. Religion
Force (oppression)
Persuasion (concession)
The Church:
Methods of
Control
Virtual Tour Around Tsarist Russia: Consolidation Tasks
Task 1: Structured questions
2. What was the greatest (a) Strength and (b) Weakness of Russia in 1913?
3. If you were advising the Tsar, what three suggestions would you make about
how he could improve his position in Russia, and why?
Problem
a
b
c
Suggested solution
Explanation
Worksheet to accompany the simulation by RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 6
4. Can you think of any reasons why he might be unwilling to support your
suggestions?
5. Why had the Russian Empire not already collapsed by 1913?
Task 2: Mindmap
Produce a mindmap summarising the information in this worksheet. Use this to
revise for a factual test next lesson.