The Russian Revolution
Assignments
Day # 1 April 3, 2003: Introduction to the Russian Revolution
We'll surf though a refresher discussion on Russia prior to 1917 - - political, social and economic conditions that might have precipitated a revolt led first by the workers in Petrograd and, later, by the Bolsheviks. An outline is provided.
Then check out these links on the RUSSIAN TRIUMPHVIRATE: Lenin, Stalin and Trotsky! Be prepared to discuss each man's talents and 'defects.'
Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, known as Lenin
Lev Davidovich Bronstein, known as Trotsky
Iosif Vissarionovich
Dzhugashvili, known Joseph Stalin
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT: Russian Revolution review questions assigned today and due on Monday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Day # 2 April 4, 2002: The Revolution Begins
Prior to class, read the summary sheets provided.
From the bread riot of March 1917 to the Bolshevik-led October [November] Revolution, we'll examine how the Russians overthrew Nicholas II and established a provisional government only to have less than 40,000 Bolsheviks out of a total population of over 140 million overthrow the provisional government. Next move - - a civil war between the Red Army and the White Army!
Day # 3 April 5, 2002: Russia becomes the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics!
Prior to class, read the text, 754-772. Not only will the reading assist you during our class discussion, the content will also help with the review questions due on Monday morning. We'll look at the developments in the USSR following Lenin's death in 1924. As we examine the 'real' Joseph Stalin, the Five-Year Plans, the purges, the collectivization of all farming land and Stalin's foreign policy moves, we watch a somewhat medieval nation emerge as a major world power. We'll also follow Trotsky's flight from Russia until his assassination in Mexico City in 1940.
Reminder: Test over WWI and the Russian Revolution on Tuesday, April 8!