A Level History: Revolution and dictatorship: Russia (1917–1929)-
BRAKDOWN
Part 1: The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin (1917–1929)
1. Dissent and Revolution, 1917
Condition of Russia before 1917: social, economic and political state; war impact; discontent.
The February/March 1917 Revolution: causes; course; abdication of the Tsar; establishment of
Provisional Government + Petrograd Soviet; the “dual authority”.
Between the revolutions: return of Lenin; Lenin’s ideology and the April Theses; July Days;
Kornilov Coup; role of Provisional Government & Bolsheviks.
The October/November 1917 Revolution: causes; course; establishment of Bolshevik authority;
decrees and initial consolidation of power.
2. Bolshevik Consolidation, 1918–1924
Establishment of one-party control; dissolution of the Constituent Assembly.
Withdrawal from WWI; end of Russia’s involvement in war.
Civil War (1918–1921): causes; key events; role of leaders (e.g. Leon Trotsky); reasons for Red
victory.
Economic & social policies: state capitalism; war-communism; impact on cities & countryside;
famine, social disruption, unrest (e.g. Kronstadt Rising, peasant revolts).
Shift to New Economic Policy (NEP): causes, implementations, economic and political impact.
Foreign relations: foreign intervention in Civil War; relations with other powers; early diplomatic
efforts after consolidation.
3. Stalin’s Rise to Power, 1924–1929
Power vacuum after Vladimir Lenin’s death; struggle between major contenders (Stalin, Trotsky,
others).
Debates over ideology: NEP vs industrialization; “Permanent Revolution” vs “Socialism in One
Country.”
Economic shifts: First Five-Year Plan; beginning of collectivization; role of industrial policy.
Early propaganda, state control, and the foundation of the Stalinist regime / cult of personality.
Part 2: Stalin’s Rule, 1929–1953 (A-Level only)
BRAKDOWN
Part 1: The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin (1917–1929)
1. Dissent and Revolution, 1917
Condition of Russia before 1917: social, economic and political state; war impact; discontent.
The February/March 1917 Revolution: causes; course; abdication of the Tsar; establishment of
Provisional Government + Petrograd Soviet; the “dual authority”.
Between the revolutions: return of Lenin; Lenin’s ideology and the April Theses; July Days;
Kornilov Coup; role of Provisional Government & Bolsheviks.
The October/November 1917 Revolution: causes; course; establishment of Bolshevik authority;
decrees and initial consolidation of power.
2. Bolshevik Consolidation, 1918–1924
Establishment of one-party control; dissolution of the Constituent Assembly.
Withdrawal from WWI; end of Russia’s involvement in war.
Civil War (1918–1921): causes; key events; role of leaders (e.g. Leon Trotsky); reasons for Red
victory.
Economic & social policies: state capitalism; war-communism; impact on cities & countryside;
famine, social disruption, unrest (e.g. Kronstadt Rising, peasant revolts).
Shift to New Economic Policy (NEP): causes, implementations, economic and political impact.
Foreign relations: foreign intervention in Civil War; relations with other powers; early diplomatic
efforts after consolidation.
3. Stalin’s Rise to Power, 1924–1929
Power vacuum after Vladimir Lenin’s death; struggle between major contenders (Stalin, Trotsky,
others).
Debates over ideology: NEP vs industrialization; “Permanent Revolution” vs “Socialism in One
Country.”
Economic shifts: First Five-Year Plan; beginning of collectivization; role of industrial policy.
Early propaganda, state control, and the foundation of the Stalinist regime / cult of personality.
Part 2: Stalin’s Rule, 1929–1953 (A-Level only)
