highfield history gcse workbook russia depth study: russia in revolution 1917-1924 big question:

HIGHFIELD HISTORYGCSE WORKBOOK

RUSSIA DEPTH STUDY:Russia in Revolution 1917-

1924

BIG Question:How did the Bolsheviks

manage to maintain control of Russia?

(GRADE C Booklet)

“Revolutions are always verbose.”

Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)

2

RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924OUTLINE OF LEARNING

Title Lesson Objectives Homework

I – April to October 1917 Recall the April ThesisExplain the reasons for the collapse of the Provisional Government

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

II – The Bolshevik Revolution Describe the events of October 1917Explain why the Bolsheviks exaggerated the storming of the Winter Palace

III – The Russian Civil War Explain why there were divisions in Russia after the RevolutionExplain the purpose of a political cartoon

Civil War cartoon question

IV – War Communism Explain why War Communism was usedJudge the success of War Communism

V – The role of Trotsky Describe Trotsky’s Civil War careerJudge the reliability of a written source

VI – The end of the Romanovs Recall the events surrounding the deaths of the Romanov familyExplain why the Romanovs were assassinated

Revision

VII – The NEP Describe the NEPCompare the NEP with Communism

VIII – The death of Lenin Evaluate the impact of Lenin’s death on CommunismExplain what Lenin had wanted for the future of the USSR

3

KEY WORD MEANING

RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924GLOSSARY

4

RUSSIA IN REVOLUTION 1917-1924

Vladimir Lenin (political leader of the Bolshevik Party)

Throughout 1917, how popular were

the Bolsheviks the Soviet

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

What was the April Thesis?

What were the July Days?

What was the Kornilov Affair in August?

April to October 1917

5


Alexander Kerensky (leader of the Provisional Government)

The Provisional Government The Tsar and his family

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

When did the popularity of these groups change?

Can you identify why these groups became more or less popular?

who or what do you think was to blame for the failings of the Provisional Government?

LO To recall the April ThesisExplain the reasons for the collapse of the Provisional Government

6


General Peter Wrangel went to St. Petersburg after the February Revolution and the creation of the Provisional Government.The first thing I noticed in Petersburg was lots of red ribbon. Everyone was wearing them - soldiers, students, chauffeurs, cab-drivers, middle-class folk, women, children, and many officers. Men of some wealth and power as well, including old generals and former aides to the Tsar, wore it too. I expressed my astonishment to an old comrade of mine at seeing him also wearing one. He tried to laugh it off, and said jokingly: "Why, my dear fellow, don't you know that it's the latest fashion?” I considered this ridiculous ribbon absolutely useless. Throughout my stay in the capital I wore the Tsarevich's badge, the distinguishing mark of my old regiment, on my epaulettes, and, of course, I wore no red rag.

Edward T. Heald, letter to his wife (2nd May, 1917)The sudden burst of Bolshevik propaganda, which has developed during the past week, is made by Lenin who has just arrived from Switzerland. He came through Germany, and rumour is that he was looked after by Emperor Wilhelm (the German leader). As he entered the country through Finland, he assaulted the soldiers and workingmen along the way with the most revolutionary propaganda. One of the Americans who came through on the same train told us how disheartening it was. God knows what a task the Provisional Government has on hand without adding the trouble that Lenin can create.

Soon after the February Revolution the journalist Harold Williams interviewed Alexander Kerensky.Last week's ridiculous April Thesis, issued in the name of the Council of Workmen's Deputies (the Soviet), calling on the soldiers not to obey their officers, Kerensky (leader of the Provisional Government) sharply characterized as an act of provocation. There had been a few instances of grave disturbance of discipline, but the Minister was confident that this phase would soon pass. He declared: "The general effect of the freedom will, I am convinced, be to give an immense boost to morale in the army, and so to shorten the war.”

April to October 1917

After meeting George Lvov, the British diplomat, George Buchanan, sent a report on their discussions to the Foreign Office (8th April, 1917)Lvov (in the Provisional Government) does not favour the idea of taking strong measures at present, either against the Soviet or the Bolsheviks. I told him that the Provisional Government would never be in charge of the situation as long as they allowed themselves to be told what to do by the Soviet, he said that the Soviet would die a natural death, and the army will then carry on fighting in the war against Germany< even better than they did under the Tsar.

7


LO To recall the April ThesisExplain the reasons for the collapse of the Provisional Government

Albert Rhys Williams described the arrival of troops to put down the Bolshevik uprising in July, 1917, in his book, Through the Russian Revolution.On the third day the troops arrive. Bicycle battalions, the reserve regiments, and then the long grim lines of horsemen, the sun glancing on the tips of their lances. They are the Cossacks, ancient foes of the revolutionists, bring dread to the workers and the joy to the middle class. The avenues are filled now with middle-class crowds cheering the Cossacks, crying "Shoot the rabble". "String up the Bolsheviks". A wave of reaction runs through the city. The Bolshevik papers are closed down. Fake documents saying that the Bolsheviks are German agents are handled to the journalists. Leaders like Trotsky are thrown into prison. Lenin is forced to flee, everywhere there are assaults and murder of working class men.

During the summer of 1917 George Buchanan became concerned about the survival of the Provisional Government.Ministers of the Provisional Government are working themselves to death, and have the best intentions; but, though I am always being told that their position is becoming stronger, I see no signs of their asserting their authority. The Soviet continues to act as if it were the Government.The military outlook is most discouraging. Nor do I take an optimistic view of the immediate future of the country.

Harold Williams, Daily Chronicle (29th September, 1917)The Kornilov Affair has intensified mutual distrust and completed the work of destruction. The Government is shadowy and unreal. The power now lies in the hands of the Soviets, and therefore the influence of the Bolsheviks has increased enormously. Kerensky has returned from Headquarters, but his prestige has declined, and he is not actively supported either by the right or by the left.

Arthur Ransome was in Russia during the October Revolution. Before the end of August it was obvious that there would be a Bolshevik majority in the Soviets. During the 'July Days' the weakness of the Government had been obvious. Kerensky had been weakened by the double failure, military and diplomatic and defeats in the War. Both these failures had brought new strength to the Bolsheviks, and a swing to the left wing was inevitable.

TOP TIP for a C Grade – All of the sources are in order of when they happened. Can you work out who likes and who dislikes the Provisional

Government?

8


The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, March 1918

Russia fought against Germany during World War I. However, in February 1918 Russia surrendered to Germany. The Russian army had collapsed and the Russians were forced to sign a peace treaty against their will. Below are three sources about the Brest-Litovsk Treaty of March 1918. (A treaty is a peace agreement between countries.)

HOMEWORK

Source A: A map of Russia. The shaded area shows the amount of land they were forced to hand over to Germany.

Source B: Russia’s losses in numbers. This was what Russia had to hand over to Germany under the terms of the treaty:·34% of its population·32% of its agricultural (farming) land·54% of its industry (manufacturing)·26% of its railways·89% of its coalmines·A fine of 300 million gold roublesSource C: The diary entry of a German army officer named Herbert Sulzbach from the 3rd March 1918.

‘The final peace treaty has been signed with Russia. Our conditions are hard and severe, but our quite exceptional victories entitle us to demand these...there is still some justice left. [in the world].’

9


3rd March 1918

MedalPositive

CommentATL

MissionWay to

Improve

Student Comment

What will you do next time?

Activity: Imagine your are a Russian politician at the signing of the Brest– Litovsk Treaty. Write your own diary entry for the 3rd March 1918. In it include·The key terms of the Treaty·How you would feel about it (Upset? Angry?)

10


Describe the events of the Bolshevik Revolution of November 1917What did the Krondstadt sailors do?

What did the Red Guard do?

What did the Women’s Death Battalion do?

Describe the events of the Bolshevik Revolution according to the film “Oktyabr” by Eisenstein (1927)

Explain why there are such differences between these two versions

The Bolshevik RevolutionLO Describe the events of October 1917

Explain why the Bolsheviks exaggerated the storming of the Winter Palace

11


Who were the Reds and the Whites?

Why were they fighting?

What happened in the Russian Civil War?

Why did the Reds win? Why did the Whites lose?

SOURCE QUESTION OPPOSITE - Why was this cartoon produced?What is the message of this cartoon?

The Russian Civil War

12


LO Explain why there were divisions in Russia after the RevolutionExplain the purpose of a political cartoon

What can you see in the cartoon?

What inferences can you make about the cartoon?

What is the message of this cartoon?

MedalPositive Comment

MissionWay to Improve

Student CommentWhat will you do next time?

A cartoon published in 1919. The figures at the back represent foreign governments (The USA, France and Britain) and the dogs represent the White Russian generals.

13


HOMEWORK

What can you see in the cartoon?


What inferences can you make about the cartoon?

14



MedalPositive

Comment/ 7

MissionWay to

Improve

ATL

Student Comment


15


What was War Communism?

Why did the Reds use War Communism?

Weigh up the relative success of War Communism for the Reds?

SOURCE AIn the villages, peasants will not give grain to the Bolsheviks because they hate them. Armed companies are sent to take grain from the peasants and every day, all over Russia, fights for grain are fought to a finish.

Comments made by a British businessman in Russia in 1918.

SOURCE B

Explain which of these sources you believe to be a more fair summary of War Communism?

War CommunismLO Explain why War Communism was used

Judge the success of War Communism

16


Who was Trotsky and what was his role with the Bolsheviks?

What does this cartoon suggest about the character of Trotsky?

This anti-Bolshevik propaganda poster, dated to the Russian Civil War (1919), shows Leon Trotsky as a devil. Elements of the imagery reveal anti-Semitism (a popular anti-communist tactic was to overplay the role of Jews in the Russian Bolshevik Revolution). Trotsky is being aided by Chinese soldiers, many of whom fought alongside the Bolsheviks (Reds) in the Russian Civil War. The White Army's message reads "Peace and Freedom in Sovdepiya.“

The Role of Trotsky

17


Trotsky paid a visit to the front lines. He made a speech. We were all lifted by his energy. The situation, which had been disastrous 24 hours earlier, was improved by his coming as though by a miracle.

Comments of a Red Army soldier about Trotsky’s visit to the front line.What makes this source reliable? What makes this source unreliable?

How far does this source explain the success of the Bolsheviks during the Civil War? HOW FAR DOES THIS EXPLAIN?

WHAT DOES THE SOURCE SUGGEST? (QUOTE FROM IT)

ADD YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE

WHAT DOES IT NOT SAY?

In your own words – How important was Trotsky to the success of the Reds during the Civil War?

LO Describe Trotsky’s Civil War careerJudge the reliability of a written source

18


When the detachment came in, the commandant [Yurovsky] told the Romanovs that in light of the fact that their relatives in Europe were continuing their aggression against Soviet Russia, the Ural [local] Executive Committee had decreed that they were to be shot. Nicholas turned his back to the detachment, his face toward his family, then, as though collecting himself, turned to the commandant with the question: "What? What?" The commandant hurriedly repeated his statement and ordered the detachment to get ready. Nicholas, again turning to the family said nothing more; the others made a few incoherent exclamations; this all lasted a few seconds. Then the shooting started; lasted for two to three minutes. Nicholas was killed on the spot by the commandant himself.

Carole Bos (2003) "Nicholas and Alexandra”Why did the Reds decide to have the royal family murdered?

Describe the events surrounding the deaths of the Romanov family?

Was it a clever move on behalf of the Reds?

The end of the RomanovsLO Recall the events surrounding the deaths of the Romanov family

Explain why the Romanovs were assassinated

Who died?Where

Who killed?

What happened?

19


Our poverty and ruin are so great that we cannot at one stroke restore large-scale socialist production. We must try to satisfy the demands of the peasants who are dissatisfied and discontented. There must be some freedom to trade and freedom for the small private owner. We are now retreating, but we are doing this so we can run and leap forward more vigorously.

Lenin introducing the New Economic Policy at the Party Congress, 1921.Pick out the key words in this statement – what is NOT Communist about this?

Industrial output in millions of tonnes/kilowatts 1913 1921Coal 29 9Oil 9.2 3.8Iron 4.2 0.1Steel 4.3 0.2Sugar 1.3 0.05Electricity 2039 520

What was the N.E.P. and why do you think Lenin introduced it?

Who were the Kulaks and the NEPmen?

Why might some Communists have thought Lenin was a traitor to their cause?

The NEP (New Economic Plan)LO Describe the NEP

Compare the NEP with Communism

20


Using your own knowledge and the sources below explain why you believe Lenin was or was not the key factor in the success of Communism in Russia.

A Bolshevik cartoon published in 1921. Lenin is shown with a broom.

George Seldes wrote about Lenin in his book You Can't Print That! (1929)

Many people trembled when the name of the dictator was mentioned. When we said to the censors, " Lenin himself

said this,“ they laughed. When it served their purposes they Added or deleted, and sometimes they suppressed Lenin

entirely. When it pleased them they arranged interviews, but for years they did their best to keep the " capitalist“ journalists

out of Lenin's sight. We heard him, however, at all the big congresses. He reported on foreign and domestic affairs. He never

hesitated to acknowledge defeats and failures. But he was always optimistic. He hated power, knowing

its corruption. His political wisdom was great; he never made a mistake in dealing with the masses but he frequently did in choosing men to share power.

What do you think is meant where it says: “When we said to the censors, " Lenin himself said this," they laughed. “

The death of Lenin

21


Do you think that Trotsky had what it took to take over the leadership of the party? Explain your answer

What do you think Lenin hoped and feared for in the future of Communist Russia? E.g. that people would rebel against it?

SELF / PEER ASSESSMENT

LO Evaluate the impact of Lenin’s death on CommunismExplain what Lenin had wanted for the future of the USSR

MedalPositive Comment

MissionWay to Improve

Student CommentWhat will you do next time?

HOPES

FEARS

22


EXTENSION TASKDoes the source fully explain why the Provisional Government failed?

Highlight the text that helps to answer the question

What other reasons are there to explain why the Provisional Government failed?

TOP TIP – ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT – ALWAYS THINK PEACE, BREAK AND LAND (THE APRIL THESIS) – WHICH OF THESE DOES THIS SOURCE RELATE TO, WHICH ONES DOES IT NOT RELATE TO?

What own knowledge can you add to this statement?

What does this suggest about how soldiers feel about the war?

KEY WORD: MUTINY - when a soldier fights against his own leaders

23


HOW FAR DOES THIS EXPLAIN?

WHAT DOES THE SOURCE SUGGEST? (QUOTE FROM IT)

ADD YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE

WHAT DOES IT NOT SAY?

MedalPositive

Comment/ 7

MissionWay to

Improve

ATL

Student Comment


highfield history gcse workbook russia depth study: russia in revolution 1917-1924 big question:

Documents

control of russia

provisional government5russia

success of war communismv

bolshevik party

bolshevik revolutiondescribe

old regiment

old generals

old comrade