Teaching GCSE History: Russia 1905 – 1990

Students find Russia interesting, but difficult. At this age, many are fascinated by the different forms of political organisation this mighty country experienced. We make a significant contribution to citizenship when we take the time to explain aspects of political theory, as no-one else will do it as well.

The lessons here cover the period from the downfall of the Tsar to the 1930s. You will find a history mystery, a way of helping students understand a political cartoon, (even though it is written in German), a role play involving the evaluation of the role of Lenin and an exercise in causation. The lesson in preparation asks students to lay odds on the successor to Lenin. Lessons on the post-Stalin period are also in preparation. Please email for details if you are interested in what’s in the pipeline.

Each lesson here attempts to take a novel stance. You might also like to use the AS lesson on Stalin’s rivalry with Trotsky and even parts of the A2 lesson on Draining the swamp.Reasons for Stalin’s Terror: how historians see it differently.