Module overview
This module explores the Russian Revolution, following a chronology from 1914 until 1924. Part two explores the turmoil of the First World War, the Revolutions of 1917 and then the Civil War period (c. 1917-21). It will look closely at the First World War period (1914-17) and integrate recent literature into its study. We will then turn to the Revolutions of 1917 – the role of the opposition, the abdication of the tsar, the uncertain era of Provisional Government and the Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917. Then we survey developments during the tumultuous Civil War era and consider how this critically impacted upon the development of the Bolshevik party. The chronology ends with an exploration of the political culture of the early Soviet state, concluding with the death of Lenin, and the culture-building around the Bolshevik party. The module will consider a wide variety of different source materials during seminars and focus on the role of culture in the construction of the revolutionary project throughout Russia’s early twentieth century. It will end with consideration of the Revolution’s contested legacy: what has the Russian Revolution done for us?
Linked modules
HIST3234