The extent to which communism changed Russia
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can assess the extent of difference between tsarist Russia and Soviet Russia.
Key learning points
- In February 1917, tsarist rule in Russia came to an end and in October 1917, Communist Party rule began.
- Communist Party policies introduced by Stalin modernised agriculture and industry in the USSR.
- Russian tsars and the Communist Party both ruled Russia with absolute power.
- Communist Party rule significantly reduced wealth inequality but created new types of inequality in the USSR.
Keywords
Wealth inequality - differences in how many valuable things people own, such as land or businesses, can be described as wealth inequality
Elites - members of the most powerful group in a society can be described as elites
Common misconception
Students assume that revolutions lead to complete change.
Emphasise that there were significant changes in Russia after 1917 but similarities remained, such as the lack of freedom for opposition.
Teacher tip
Students may be more confident in the final task if they verbally practice making counter-arguments first. Students could be paired together and given a list of claims (i.e. the Soviet economy was completely transformed) and asked to make counters.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match up each keyword with its correct definition.
Q2.Write the missing word. Karl Marx was responsible for developing the set of political ideas known as ...
Q3.Write the missing word. In 1922, the Communist Party renamed Russia the Union.
Q4.Who led the USSR after 1924?
Q5.Which example best demonstrates the lack of modernisation in Russian agriculture by 1927?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing keyword. Members of the most powerful group in a society can be described as ...
Q2.Match up each of the social groups in Tsarist Russia with its correct description.
Q3.What name was used to describe Stalin's use of the secret police to remove potential opponents?
Q4.Which two statements are accurate?
Q5.Identify the valid similarity between Tsarist Russia and Soviet Russia by 1939.
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The extent to which communism changed Russia, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The extent to which communism changed Russia, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Russian Revolution: did communism completely transform Russian society? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.