Establishment and Development of the USSR
(1855-1924)
This unit will begin our focus on the emergence of Authoritarian states in Europe after World War I. The turmoil of World War I and its consequences challenges the existing political structures, especially of the defeated, and led some populations to seek alternative systems of government. One of the greatest shifts occurred in Russia where Tsarist Russia was violently overthrown and replaced by a Communist regime. In this unit we will touch on the actions of some popular characters like Nicholas II, Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin. We will examine the reigns of the final three monarchs of the Romanov dynasty, the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil War. By the end of the unit, you will be able to answer the below key questions:
1. What were the economic factors, social divides, impact of war and weaknesses in the Russian political system that allowed the establishment of an authoritarian state in Russia?
2. How did the reigns of Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II contribute to the collapse of the Romanov dynasty?
3. What was the impact of World War I on weakening Nicholas II's government?
4. What were the factors that contributed to the October Revolution?
5. How did the Communist government use persuasion and coercion, leadership, ideology and propaganda to gain support for their government?
6. Why did the Red Army win the Russian Civil War?
7. What was the state of the Soviet Union at the time of Lenin's death in 1924?
Resources: The main secondary resources we will using in this unit will be Sally Waller's Imperial Russia, Revolutions and the Emergence of the Soviet State 1853-1924, David Marples' Lenin's Revolution. We will also be examining a number of additional primary and secondary sources on individual topics.
Assessments
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Standards
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IB.History.AO.1A: Recall core content knowledge regarding historical events
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IB.History.AO.2A,2B,3A,3B: Write on demand essays that support arguments with specific evidence
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IB.History.AO.2C,3C,3D: Interpret, compare, and evaluate historical sources and use them effectively as evidence
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Formative
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Class Discussions
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Prompts
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Short Answer Questions
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Socratic Discussions
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Essay Writing Skill Development
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Medical Evaluation of Russia in 1914
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Russian Civil War Propaganda Posters
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Interview with Lenin
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Summative
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In-Class Paper 2/3 Past Paper Question
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Unit Calendar: The Calendar outlines the plan for our day to day in class activities and the homework that will be assigned. The expectation is that students complete all homework assignments for the next lesson unless otherwise indicated on the calendar. While we would like this to be set in stone, unforeseen events and intriguing tangents might change the plan so if you are ever in doubt on what is due and when, please ask!

Introduction to the I.B. History I
Introduction to Mr. Johnson
Classroom Expectations
What is the defining moment of human history?
Review Website and Syllabus
HW: Visit Class Website with a Parent/Guardian and bring in questions and get video permission signed

Debunking the I.B. History HL Exam
Deciphering the I.B. Exam
Debrief in Table Groups
HW: Checkout from the Library/Download from Google Classroom
Imperial Russia, Revolutions and the Emergence of the Soviet State 1853-1924 by Sally Waller

How did Alexander II attempt to modernize Russia?
What is Russia like in the mid 19th Century? (Waller 12-18)
Reforms of Alexander II
(Use pgs. 25-30 in Waller)
(Use pgs. 34-35 in Waller)
(If TIme)
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Complete chart of Consequences of Emancipation of the Serfs

How did Alexander II attempt to modernize Russia?
To what extent did Alexander II liberate the Russian people?
(Read pgs. 45-68 in Waller)
Writing Analysis in IB History
Introduction to Historiography
HW: To what extent did Alexander II liberate the Russian people?
(Thesis statement and 3 paragraphs)

How did Alexander III reverse the reforms of his father?
Alexander II/III and the growth of opposition
Use pgs. 75-86 in Waller to Complete Alexander III Column

What were the causes, key events and consequences of the 1905 Revolution?
Why did the citizens of Russia challenge the rule of the Tsar in 1905?
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HW: Read pgs. 123-128 in Waller

Stolypin and the Dumas
Doctor's Report for Tsar Nicholas II in 1914
HW: Rea pgs. 129-138 in Waller

What were the causes, key events and consequences of the February 1917 Revolution
Causes of the February/March Revolution
Causes of the Russian Revolution
To what extent did the Tsar contribute to his downfall?
Read Marples 16-23 and the relevant historiography to make an argument blaming the Tsar for the collapse of the government (intentionalist) or blaming the situation (structualist).
Discuss in groups of 4
HW: To what extent was Tsar Nicholas II responsible for the February Revolution?
Essay Plan = Thesis statement, Topic Sentences, Evidence, Secondary Evidence/quotes of Historiography, Restate Thesis
How did the failure of the Tsar to follow through with the October Manifesto destablize his rule?

Why was there a second Revolution in October 1917?

How did the Bolsheviks consolidate power and win the Russian Civil War?
Consolidation of Power and Suppression of Opposition
Propaganda Posters for the Reds and the Whites
HW: Complete White/Red Propaganda Poster

How did the Bolsheviks consolidate power and win the Russian Civil War?
Share Posters
Why did the Reds win the Civil War
Sports Commentary?

Why was War Communism abandoned and replaced by the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
War Communism and its Effects
Source Analysis
Introduction of NEP
Letter to the Editor
(Submit to Google Classroom)
