Tsarist Russia, 1855-1917

An outline of the course... The course focuses on Russian history under the last three tsars: Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II. You will look at the role of key individuals (including the tsars); at the factors working for and against change; and how/why individuals and groups reacted to change. You will consider interpretations of Russian development (contemporary and retrospective).

Autocracy, Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855–1917 AS History Autocracy, Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855–1917 Breadth Study (Paper 1). You are assessed on the study of significant historical developments over a period of around 100 years, and associated interpretations or extracts.

An outline of the course... For your AS Level, you will focus on the years 1855-1917. There are two main ‘chunks’ of content: the period 1855-1894 (‘Trying to preserve autocracy’), and the period 1894-1917 (‘The collapse of autocracy’). You will be assessed on how well you achieve these assessment objectives... AO1: Demonstrate, organise and communicate knowledge and understanding to analyse and evaluate the key features related to the period. Make judgements and explore concepts like cause, consequence, change, continuity, similarity, difference and significance. AO3: Analyse and evaluate, in relation to the historical context, different ways in which aspects of the past have been interpreted.

An outline of the course... You will have 10 lessons per fortnight (5 x Britain, 5 x Russia). You will complete Period 11 assessments every fortnight (switching between Britain and Russia). You should complete 3 hours of directed study work for Tsarist Russia per fortnight, on top of prep for Period 11 assessments. Bring your folders and textbooks to every lesson...

You will need... A ringbinder folder (a big one!) A4 plastic wallets A4 lined paper Dividers Highlighters ... and it would be a good idea to buy: Chris Corin and Terry Fiehn, Tsarist and Communist Russia 1855-1964.

What was the state of Russia in 1855? In order to understand the significance of events in Russia after 1855, you need to know what was going on in Europe (especially Britain) at the time. Create a timeline on your big sheet of paper – from 1780 to 1914 (this time period is often known as the ‘long nineteenth century’). In the space above the line, plot events from Europe/Britain/the rest of the world. In the space below the line, plot events from Russia.

Do you know when these key events happened? French Revolution. Industrial Revolution (in Britain). Battle of Trafalgar (Nelson defeats Napoleon. Victoria became Queen, and Victoria died. Edward VIII became King. Slavery was abolished in the British Empire. The first professional police force in Britain was established. The Great Exhibition in London took place. The Crimean War. US Civil War. Darwin published ‘On the Origin of Species’. The electorate was widened to enable about 1/3 of men in Britain to vote. Women campaigned for the vote in Britain.

Do you know when these key events happened? French Revolution (1789-1799) Industrial Revolution (in Britain) (1750-1900) Battle of Trafalgar (Nelson defeats Napoleon (1805) Victoria became Queen, and Victoria died (1837-1901) Edward VIII became King (1901) Slavery was abolished in the British Empire (1838) The first professional police force in Britain was established (1829) The Great Exhibition in London took place (1851) The Crimean War (1854) US Civil War (1861) Darwin published ‘On the Origin of Species’ (1859) The electorate was widened to enable about 1/3 of men in Britain to vote (1867) Women campaigned for the vote in Britain (early 1900s)

Do you know when these key events happened? Alexander II was Tsar. Alexander III was Tsar. Nicholas II was Tsar. The Russian Revolution. The Crimean War. Industrialisation in Russia.

Do you know when these key events happened? Alexander II was Tsar (1855-1881) Alexander III was Tsar (1881-1894) Nicholas II was Tsar (1894-1917) The Russian Revolution (1917) The Crimean War (1853-6) Industrialisation in Russia (late 1800s, after Crimean War)

... Now (for the events that it applies to) use a different colour to give each event a ‘progress’ rating out of 10 – how ‘advanced’ was it? Explain your ideas. ... Which was more advanced by the mid-nineteenth century: Britain or Russia? Were there any areas in which Russia outstripped Britain?

What conclusions can you draw about the state of Russia in 1855 ... What conclusions can you draw about the state of Russia in 1855? How did Russian society/economy/intellectual life compare with that of Britain and other nations?

Getting a head start in Tsarist Russia... These might help you to get familiar with Russian history... Watch the BBC TV series ‘War and Peace’ (on Netflix) – for an insight into the life of the rich in imperial Russia. Watch the BBC documentary series ‘Lucy Worsley’s Empire of The Tsars’ on youtube (we’ll be watching some of it in class, but there are 3 episodes you can watch in full). Watch the documentary series ‘The Romanovs. The History of the Russian Dynasty’ on youtube. Read books! There is a whole reading list... But if you want something you can work your way through, Simon Sebag Montefiore’s The Romanovs is amazing. Listen to the podcast series by Martin Sixsmith, called ‘Russia: a 1000 year chronicle’. A good place to start is episode 16: The Downtrodden Serfs.