Modern History Summer Work
Tasks should be completed for your first History lesson in September.
You must use Section One from ‘Communist Russia under Lenin & Stalin’ by Corin & Fiehn –
this can be found on the website:
http://bhasvichistory.weebly.com/
WRITTEN TASKS:
1. Under the following headings, sum up the key features of Russia in 1900. You may find it helpful
to create a large spider diagram or structured sheet of your own to complete these bullet point
notes. You may include diagrams, pie charts and maps.
-
Geographical features of Russia in 1900
The Russian people & Russification
The Social structure of Tsarist Russia (nobility, middle class, urban workers, peasants)
How Russia was governed; the structure of the Tsarist state & the Russian Orthodox Church
Opposition to the Tsars
2. Create a detailed timeline of key events from 1894 to October 1917. You may use any format or
method (computers/hand-written or a large colourful poster with visual images) but you must add
plenty of detail to the key aspects listed below (and feel free to add more events).
-
Nicholas II becomes Tsar – 1894
Witte’s economic policy
Bloody Sunday & the 1905 revolution
The Dumas, 1906-1914
Stolypin’s agrarian policies
World War One & its impact on Russia
Death of Rasputin
February- March 1917 (abdication of the Tsar)
Provisional Government (policies & key groups)
Return of Lenin (April) & April Theses
Summer Offensive & July Days
Kornilov Affair
October Revolution 1917
3. Review the Revolution of February 1917. Write a list of the main causes.
Write an essay conclusion covering these questions:
-How important was World War One in bringing about the abdication of the Tsar? Do you think
the war was the most important reason? Compare this cause with the other causes in your list
(for example, the role of Nicholas II).*
Please turn over…
4. Review the Revolution of October 1917. Write a list of the main causes of the Bolsheviks’
success.
Write an essay conclusion covering these questions:
To what extent did the weaknesses of the Provisional Government bring about the October
Revolution? Consider other factors that also may have played a role, for example the actions
and policies of Lenin and Trotsky.
5. Write a biography for each of the following: Vladimir Lenin & Leon Trotsky. There are helpful
pages on both characters on the website above, but you may also use other resources.
EXTENSION READING:
A useful book to read during the summer to give you a general understanding of the history of the Soviet
Union is:
‘REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA, 1891-1991, by Orlando Figes (2014)
Good luck and looking forward to meeting you in September.