Russia 1917

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Story of the causes of the 1st Russian revolution in February 1917.

At the beginning of 1917, the Tsar still held complete autocratic rule over the whole Russian empire. This led to 2 revolutions in Russia that year - the first in February. Clip has archive illustrating the story of the causes of this Russian revolution - the Tsar in procession, starving factory workers and a failing military campaign in the First World War. Early in March Tsar Nicholas 11 abdicated and his family was arrested. They were executed in 1918, following the second revolution in October 1917.

From: People's Century 1917: Red Flag

First broadcast : 27 September 1995

Teachers' notes

Age Group : 11-14,14-16,16+

Subject : History

Topic : Modern world, Politics of Society 1918-1939, Twentieth century world

Keywords : Change in Russia 1914-1924, History of Europe, Russian Revolution, Bosheviks, History of the USSR, Lenin, February revolution 1917, Abdication of the Tsar

Notes :
COURSES/SUBJECTS:
KS3: Twentieth Century World. One Historic Theme (Revolutions).
GCSE: Wales and England at the beginning of the 20th century 1900-1919. Change in Russia 1914-1924.
A-Level: Aspects of the history of Europe between 1815 and 1917.
Welsh Baccalaureate: Wales Europe and the World.
OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN HISTORY: Develop knowledge and understanding on the short term effects of the events in 1917. Make enquiries and note short-term,medium-term and long-term causes of the event. Using previous knowledge and a variety of evidence, consider the two following statements made in the clip.and form an opinion on their historical validity:- a) " He ( Nicholas 11, Tsar) had resisted political change. b) "What happened next changed the direction of world history."
OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP WIDER SKILLS: Improve research skills. Develop the 4 literacy skills; ie. speaking, listening, reading and writing, through a variety of exercises. Use visual literacy skills to evaluate the evidence ( eg. - Are the shots of the Russian Army included in order to suggest a military mindset amongst the Russian people?) Develop skills necessary for co-working through exercises such as role-play, work in pairs and groupwork.
SUGGESTIONS FOR SETTING CRITERIA TO EVALUATE LESSON SUCCESS: Ask pupils if they can: 1) Understand Russian events and developments in 1917. 2) Decide what were the causes of the revolution (short term, medium term and long term) 3) Form an opinion on the historical validity of statements made in the clip.

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