The Downfall of the Romanov Dynasty
How did a Dynasty that had been in existence for over 300 years finally come to an end? What were the factors that brought down the Romanovs from their exalted position? These are some of the questions that we want to answer as we make our way through the History of the Romanov Dynasty
Below is a youtube documentary that covers the bulk of the story. If you want to get a sneak peak overview you could watch it but don't feel obliged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSlVgtwAcRA
Task 1. Let's get some perspective on Russian History...
Russia 1801 to 1855 - A Summary of the Structure of the life in Russia
Explain the social structure and outline what the lives of the serfs, the nobility and the autocracy was like.
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Answer questions 1,2,4,6,9,15,17,18,19 at the end of the sheet.
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Task 2. Next we need to gain a little bit of an understanding of what Industrialisation is. So using your computers, do a quick bit of research and answer the following questions. What is it? When did it happen in the various major countries of Europe? What social impact did it have? How was Russia going compared to the other major powers of Europe in terms of industrialisation? (This should be no more than about 15 lines)
For the record, you are currently living through a period that has had similar social impacts to industrialisation (also called the industrial revolution)
For the record, you are currently living through a period that has had similar social impacts to industrialisation (also called the industrial revolution)
Task 3. Time for some more important concepts: 1 Line on each of the following:
Autocracy:
Liberalism:
Socialism:
Communism:
Nationalism:
We're going to need all of these in the future.
Autocracy:
Liberalism:
Socialism:
Communism:
Nationalism:
We're going to need all of these in the future.
Task 4. Nicholas II
Have a read of the pdf below about Nicholas II. It doesn't paint a very flattering picture but most of it was probably true. Perhaps we shouldn't be too harsh on him. He was probably a great dad, he loved his family, but when it came to ruling a country... not so good!!!
How did Pobedenestov influence Nicholas? What were Nicholas’ own beliefs about his ability to rule? Why did he take on the task?
Have a read of the pdf below about Nicholas II. It doesn't paint a very flattering picture but most of it was probably true. Perhaps we shouldn't be too harsh on him. He was probably a great dad, he loved his family, but when it came to ruling a country... not so good!!!
How did Pobedenestov influence Nicholas? What were Nicholas’ own beliefs about his ability to rule? Why did he take on the task?
Task 5. Read the first 3 pages of the source material provided underneath. Answer the questions for each source. These will give you some practice in source analysis and also some idea of some historical perspectives on Nicholas' leadership.
The source material can be found and downloaded at this link...
Source Material for the Romanov Dynasty course.
The source material can be found and downloaded at this link...
Source Material for the Romanov Dynasty course.
Task 6. Read pages 31-33 of your text book, do the timeline exercise and answer the document study questions.
Brainstorm... What makes a good leader? What characteristics of a leader did Nicholas lack? Write your answers with you name here... http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/Year11modern
Brainstorm... What makes a good leader? What characteristics of a leader did Nicholas lack? Write your answers with you name here... http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/Year11modern
Task 7. Your conclusions about Nicholas. Write 10-15 lines about Nicholas as a person and as a leader and why you suspect he was somewhat responsible for downfall of the Romanov Dynasty. Include at least 3 quotes from the source material you have read to back up your conclusions.
Having considered Nicholas and his leadership and the impact that would have on Russia, we now turn our attention to the social, political and economic factors that played a significant role in bringing down the Romanov Dynasty.
Task 8. Students read pages 4-7 of the source booklet that they downloaded earlier (see Task 5.)
For source 4.6 - Explain what you see in the picture, what you think is going on and what you wonder might be the consequence of such a situation.
Summarise the general feeling expressed in these sources and explain how they might lead people to seek a revolution. 15-20 lines.
For source 4.6 - Explain what you see in the picture, what you think is going on and what you wonder might be the consequence of such a situation.
Summarise the general feeling expressed in these sources and explain how they might lead people to seek a revolution. 15-20 lines.
Task 9. Bloody Sunday. This event would have a massive impact on the people of Russia and would significantly alter events from here on in. Using the textbook, pages 33-36, the sources on pages 8-10 of your source booklet and any research you might like to do on the internet, complete the following activities:
- Consider the sources that are presented on the events of Bloody Sunday. What does the difference in these sources tell you about the Historical accuracy of first hand accounts? How reliable do you think each of these sources are and why?
- Write 10 to 15 lines outlining what you believed happened in the events of Bloody Sunday.
- Answer the question... how have the events of Bloody Sunday impacted the people of Russia and the Tsar (Nicholas)?
Task 10. The aftermath of Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday was the beginning of a very difficult year for the Romanov Dynasty. Uprisings and strikes were happening all over Russia but ultimately the Romanov's would survive.
- Read pages 37 and 38 of the text book and answer the document study questions.
- Read and consider the quote by Trotsky (Source 3.8) as this will be the basis for a class discussion.
- Short answer question... can the events of 1905 be considered a revolution?
Task 11. Empathy task. Imagine you are a worker in Russia under the current conditions. Write 10-15 lines on what you think you would do to try and change your situation.
Task 12. Political Parties. Study the diagram of the political parties on page 39 of the textbook. Choose a class to which you belong (or one might be assigned to you). Taking on the beliefs of that class of people, decide which party you would most like to belong to and why.
Task 13. Take notes while watching the first half of the video, The Russian Revolution: From the Last Tsar to Lenin.
Task 14. Write out a roughly 15 line answer to the following question. How did Nicholas and the Romanov Dynasty survive 1905?
1905 was certainly a bad year for the Romanovs, however, they survived and Nicholas would go on to lead Russia. How he handled the events of 1905 and the general problems flourishing in Russia would also contribute significantly to the ultimate demise of the Romanov Dynasty
Task 15. Have a read through the first half of the document below entitled, 'immediate results of the October manifesto' and also pages 38-39 of your textbook. Do the following activities:
- Question. Why would you consider Nicholas's actions here are evidence of his poor leadership?
- How were the people of Russia likely to respond to his changes?
- Answer the review questions on page 39.
Task 16. Read the
rest of the Handout, immediate results of the October Manifesto, and summarise
the actions of Stolypin in trying to provide peace for Russia.
On http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/Year11modern write your comments on when you think it is justifiable to use force to achieve your political goals.
On http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/Year11modern write your comments on when you think it is justifiable to use force to achieve your political goals.
Task 17. Write 1 line of crucial facts on the following: (The summary at the top of Wikipedia should provide you with enough information for this task)
- The Bolshevik Party
- Karl Marx
- Vladamir Lenin
- Leon Trotsky
Summary of The Communist Manifesto
*Society is splitting into the bourgeoisie (capitalist) and the Proletariat (workers) (474). The Bourgeoisie have gained control of the modes of production and property in a few hands (theirs) (477). They are in control of the world market and have centralized production for their own wealth.
*”In proportion as the bourgeoisie, i.e. capital, is developed, in the same proportion in the proletariat, the modern working class, developed- a class of labourers, who only live so long as they find work, and who find work only so long as their labor increases capital” (479)
*”The immediate aim of the Communists is the same as that of all the other proletariat parties: formation of the proletariat into a class, overthrow of the bourgeoisie supremacy, conquest of political power by the proletariat” (484).
*Society is splitting into the bourgeoisie (capitalist) and the Proletariat (workers) (474). The Bourgeoisie have gained control of the modes of production and property in a few hands (theirs) (477). They are in control of the world market and have centralized production for their own wealth.
*”In proportion as the bourgeoisie, i.e. capital, is developed, in the same proportion in the proletariat, the modern working class, developed- a class of labourers, who only live so long as they find work, and who find work only so long as their labor increases capital” (479)
*”The immediate aim of the Communists is the same as that of all the other proletariat parties: formation of the proletariat into a class, overthrow of the bourgeoisie supremacy, conquest of political power by the proletariat” (484).
Task 18. In 15-20 lines, explain how the actions of Nicholas and the rise of opposition groups such as the Bolsheviks has created a situation in Russia that is ready to boil over.
Nicholas survived up until 1914 though the tension was clearly on the rise. What happened after 1914 was the last straw. WW1 and the situation with Rasputin showed up Nicholas' incompetence even more and his enemies were no longer willing to stand by idly. This would be the end for the Romanovs.
Class discussion. What are the political implications of War. That is, what sort of impact does a war have on the people in power? Can you think of any examples of this from recent world events? (last 10years)
Task 19. Read pages 40 & 41 of the text book and answer the question, why was the outbreak of WW1 so positive for the autocracy? Also answer questions 2 and 3 on page 41.
Task 20. Watch the rest of the video, The Russian Revolution: From the Last Tsar to Lenin. From the video take notes on how the war impacted the following groups:
- Soldiers
- The working class
- Peasants
Task 21. Read pages 42-43 of the text book and take a look at the sources on page 11 of your source booklet. Explain how Rasputin came to be
so powerful and the impact he had on destroying confidence in the Romanov Dynasty.
Task 22. Students watch the video, The Real Rasputin. Students use the information in this video to add to the notes they have already made on Rasputin.
Task 23. Read pages 43-45 of the textbook and the source material on page 12 of your source booklet and answer the questions on page 45.
Task 24. Outline the reasons that each of the following groups had for wanting to be rid of Nicholas II:
- The Peasants
- The Urban Working class
- The Soldiers
- The Middle class
- The Nobility and other members of the royal family
Task 25. Watch the video, the Russian Revolution Part 1. This will show the complexity of what happened at the end and shows the events of the revolution that happens after the Romanovs fall.
Task 26. Use Dipity.com to make a timeline of the major events from when Nicholas takes power until the downfall of the Romanov Dynasty.
summary_of_factors_that_led_to_the_downfall_of_the_romanov_dynasty.pdf | |
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