something is communist if it relates to the belief that wealth should be shared equally and people should be treated as equals

something is capitalist if it relates to a system where some people own industry privately and make profit for themselves

the bourgeoisie are members of the middle classes

the proletariat are members of the industrial working classes

the aristocracy are the highest social class, usually in countries that have a royal family

Karl Marx and communism

History

In this unit, pupils examine the profound societal changes brought about by communism following the Russian Revolution. This sets the stage for the next unit, ‘Post-war Britain: for whom did the United Kingdom become a ‘New Jerusalem’?’, where they will contrast the effects of communism with the democratic socialism that influenced British society in the post-war era.

In ‘The French Revolution: How did Europe respond to the French Revolution?’, pupils studied how France's eighteenth century revolution influenced people's lives. Building on that, this unit explores how the radical ideas of the Russian Revolution transformed Russian society under communism, demonstrating the power of revolutionary ideologies.

In this unit, pupils learn about Karl Marx's theories regarding communism and the conduct and impact of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. They examine the Russian Civil War and Russian society in the 1920s and 30s, allowing them to judge the extent to which communism changed Russia.

The Russian Revolution: did communism completely transform Russian society? 

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Write the missing word. Karl {{}} developed the idea of communism in the 19th century.

Match each keyword with its correct definition.

According to Marx, which group owned most of the property in an industrialised capitalist society?

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) became the largest political party in which country by 1912?

Russia did not have its own socialist party

Why did Marx think a proletarian revolution in Russia was not likely to happen for a long time?

bourgeoisie take power from the aristocracy

workers exploited for the benefit of the bourgeoisie

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order according to Marx's theories.

Write the missing word. Historians usually use the word {{}} to describe periods of time which experience significant changes, such as the overthrow of a system of government.

What happened to the King Louis XVI during the French Revolution?

Which word is most appropriate for describing someone who refuses to accept or support political reform and social progress?

Write the missing word. During the Industrial Revolution, many cotton mills employed {{}} to clean the tight spaces beneath their machines.

urban death rates fell due to improved housing for workers

urban death rates remained the same as housing for workers was untouched

urban death rates rose due to poor housing for workers

Which statement about living conditions during the Industrial Revolution is most accurate?

the beginning of the Industrial Revolution

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Karl Marx and communism

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.