Unit 5: Crisis and Change
Lesson C: The Revolution and Civil War in Russia
Opening: Causes of Revolution
Prior to 1917, the world had seen a number of revolutions. A revolution is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time. Some of the world's most famous revolutions prior to 1917 include:
- the Peasants' Revolt in England
- the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries
- the Haitian Revolution spearheaded by slaves from 1791 to 1804
- the French Revolution against the absolute monarchy from 1789 to 1799
- the Boxer Rebellion against foreign influence in areas such as trade, politics, religion, and technology that occurred in China during the final years of the Qing Dynasty from 1899 to 1901
Written Activity - Notebook
In your notebook, respond to the following question:
- What might cause citizens to revolt against their own government?
Directions: Now, read the following quotations about the Russian Revolution. Then, discuss your responses to the questions.
Classroom Activity - People and Governments
Discussion
Directions: Prepare a response to the discussion questions below. Follow your teacher's directions to participate in your class discussion.
- For which author of the above quotations do you have more sympathy?
- Who is right, and who is wrong?
- What do you think should be the relationship between a government and its people?
Select the link to review the Discussion Scoring Tool (pdf).
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