Context

The Russian Revolution of 1917 is one of the most significant events of the 20th century. It marked a turning point in global politics, and led to the formation of the world's first socialist state: the Soviet Union.

The overthrow of the Russian monarchy, the role of leaders such as Lenin and Trotsky, the ensuing civil war, and the establishment of a Soviet government, are all events and figures that have played a pivotal role in shaping Russian and world history. The Russian Revolution is also a vivid example of radical political and economic change, with its repercussions continuing to resonate today.

To understand it, some context is needed about pre-revolutionary Russia, the position of its workers and peasants, and the impact of the First World War on the country. Russia was a predominantly agrarian society, with industries concentrated in a few cities. Tsarist autocracy, the existing form of government, had become increasingly unpopular and distrusted. World War I exacerbated this discontent. Unprepared and poorly supplied, Russia suffered heavy losses and internal crisis.

Significance

This momentous historical event is key for understanding the international relations and conflicts of the 20th century and the present day. Soviet Russia, and later the Soviet Union, became a major player in the Cold War, the ideological standoff between capitalism and socialism.

Moreover, the Russian Revolution provides an object lesson in the power of ideas to change the world. It is the first example of working people successfully seizing state power. In this way, the depth and breadth of themes relating to the Revolution allow us to examine concepts like class struggle, power, and ideology, among others.

Practical Activity

Project Title: "The Russian Revolution: From Tsarism to the Soviet Union"

Project Aim:

The aim of this project is to engage students in researching, analysing and understanding the Russian Revolution, its causes, course, and consequences. Through this project, students will work in groups to investigate different aspects of the Russian Revolution, produce a documentary film, and present it to the class. In addition, they will write a detailed written document about the development and outcomes of their project.

Project Description:

Each group will be responsible for researching and creating a documentary film about a specific aspect of the Russian Revolution. Topics may include Tsarist Russia, the role of World War I in the Revolution, key actors in the Revolution, the differences between the February and October Revolutions, the formation of the USSR, and the Russian Civil War.

The documentary should be 15-20 minutes long, and it should include expert interviews, dramatic reenactments, archival photos and footage, and any other media that helps tell the story.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for research
• A video recording device (a smartphone with a good camera will suffice)
• Video editing software
• Recommended research sources (as listed in the "Resources" section)

Project Procedure:

1. Groups of 3-5 students should be formed. Each group will choose a topic from the Russian Revolution to specialise in.

2. Once students have chosen their topic, they will begin to research it thoroughly, using all available resources - books, historical documents, websites, documentaries, podcasts, etc.

3. After their research is complete, students should develop a storyboard for their documentary. The storyboard should tell a comprehensive and engaging story about their chosen topic.

4. Students should then film their documentary, following their storyboard. They may interview teachers, historians, or other experts to be included in their documentary.

5. Once all footage has been shot, students should edit the documentary, adding music, narration, archival photos and footage, etc. as necessary.

6. When the documentary is complete, students should give a presentation to the class, explaining the filmmaking process, any challenges they faced, and what they learned.

7. Finally, each group will write a detailed report about the project, as outlined in the "Project Deliverables" section.

Project Deliverables:

The project has two main deliverables:

1. Documentary Film: The documentary should be presented to the class and to the teacher. It should be informative, engaging, and visually appealing. It should demonstrate a clear understanding of the chosen topic and provide fresh and insightful perspectives on the Russian Revolution.

2. Written Report: The report should follow the conventions of academic writing. It should have the following sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography.

   • Introduction: The introduction should provide the context for your topic, state the thesis statement of the document, and list the project objectives.

   • Development: The development section should present the theory behind the project topic, explain in detail the activities carried out, state the methodology used, and present and discuss the outcomes of the project.

   • Conclusion: The conclusion should revisit the main points discussed in the documentary film and the report, restate the learning and outcomes of the project, and include any personal reflections.

   • Bibliography: The bibliography should list all sources consulted and used in the making of the project.

This project is expected to take four weeks to complete. Each student is expected to contribute a minimum of 12 hours of dedicated time to this project.