The
Russian Revolution simulation begins on 24th July, 1914. Serbia has
asked Russia for help against Austria-Hungary.
If Nicholas
II agrees it will almost certainly mean war between Russia and
members of the Triple
Alliance.
All
the students are given a character that was living in Russia at the
time.
The
characters are in four discussion groups: Group A (supporters of
Nicholas II and the autocracy); Group B (liberals and moderate
socialists); Group C (Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries) and
Group D (Bolsheviks). The biographies only go up to 1914 and also
include a summary of the character's views towards the Russian
autocracy and the First World War.
The
student's first task is to read their biography and write a brief
summary of their character's life up until 1914. They should also
read Russia
in 1914 and the Serbian
Crisis.
At
the end of the simulation the students go to Russian
Revolution and read about what happened to their character
during 1917. They then write a brief summary of what happened,
comparing their decisions with those of their character.
The
final task is for the students to write about what happened to their
character after the Russian Revolution. A session could then be
organized where the students tell the rest of the class about their
fate.
Task
1: Read you biography and write a brief summary of your character's
life up until 1914.
Task
2: It is August, 1914. Read about Russia
in 1914 and the outbreak of the First
World War. Write a brief speech about whether the Russian
government should join the war against the Central Powers.
Task
3: You meet in your group. Groups A and B meet in Russia and Groups
C and D meet in exile in Switzerland. In your group discuss whether
the Russian government should join the war against the Central
Powers. You should also try to decide what action the group take in
order to achieve its objectives.
Task
1: It is January, 1917. Read about the problems faced by Russia
during the first two years of the war at Russia:
1914-1916. Write a brief speech about what action the people in
your group should take.
Task
2 : Meet in your groups. Discuss what the group should do at this
stage.
Task
1: Read about the July
Offensive and the Kornilov
Revolt. It is October, 1917. Write a brief speech about what
action the people in your group should take.
Task
2 : Meet in your groups. Discuss what the group should do at this
stage.
Task
3: Go to Russian
Revolution and read about what happened to your character during
1917. Write a brief summary of what happened comparing your
decisions with those of your character.
Task
4: Write down what happened to your character after the Russian
Revolution.
