Assignment Guidelines 2010:

January 22, 1905

My favorite photo of Papa, taken before our move to St. Petersburg

Me and my little brother, Josef

January 22, 1905

Photo of me, upon joining the Guard.

Defending the Winter Palace from an angry mob

Project Guidelines Research the Russian Revolution using materials provided in class.

Pay particular attention to the questions and vocabulary words for each time period, as you’ll be asked to include them in your story (and yes, they’ll be on the test).

Maintain an accurate timeline and independent notes to assist you and your group. You’ll be required to bring these each day that you’re working on your slides.

Use the dates provide to create 4 more journal entries that are written from the perspective of your character (Alexander or Sergei) . Use a combination of facts and fiction, along with at least 4 vocabulary words per time period, to create an informative and entertaining narrative of these historical events.

Add each journal entry (up to 400 words each) to the “presentation notes” of your PowerPoint slide. In each entry, underline the vocabulary words and all of the parts that are based on researched facts.

Gather 2-3 images per slide to support and illustrate your story. Brief captions (up to 15 words per slide) are required.

Tips for Success Research your revolution thoroughly. Generate a short list of factual

details that you want to include on each slide before starting your narrative.

Don’t try to include everything. Rather, select your events carefully and focus on the main causes, events, and outcomes of your revolution.

Create a vivid character by including details about his/her name, age, family life, occupation, surroundings, and relationships. Again, you may want to brainstorm a short list of these details before starting each slide.

Put your character into the action (or at least witness it). Start your entries with the most important/most recent event and then provide background on how these events came about.

Give your character emotions and opinions. Present these events from his/her perspective and tell how you have been personally affected.

Coordinate your story with that of your teammates. You’re working with the same events, but should respond to them differently. Be willing to share your notes.

Remember that you are writing Historical Fiction. You will be assessed on your ability to 1). Select and use accurate historical facts, and 2). Create a compelling narrative with strong use of 6 Traits writing skills.

November 10, 1917JOURNAL ENTRY #2: It’s just days after the October/November revolution that brings

the Bolsheviks to power. This is the second revolution this year, so be sure to discuss events from the February/March, along with the past several years of turmoil and transition.

Guiding Questions: What changes in the Tsar’s government followed Bloody Sunday? How did World War I affect Russia and the Tsar? What were the causes of the Feb/March Revolution? Who was Alexander Kerensky and what problems did his Provisional Government

face? What were the causes of the Nov/Oct Revolution? Who was Vladimir Lenin and how did he come to power? What immediate actions did Lenin take following the Oct/Nov Revolution?

Vocabulary: Czar (Tsar), Autocrat, Cossacks, Okhrana, Karl Marx, Communism, Liberals, Vladimir Lenin, Bolsheviks, Abdicate, October Manifesto, Duma, Vladimir Lenin, Alexander Kerensky, Provisional Government, Petrograd, Red Guards

January 31, 1924JOURNAL ENTRY #3: This is less than a month after Vladimir Lenin’s sudden

and unexpected death. The country had survived a Civil War and was just starting to get back on its feet . The biggest question right now: who will replace Lenin as the new leader of Russia?

Guiding Questions:

What immediate actions did Lenin take following the Oct/Nov Revolution?

What opposition did Lenin face during the Civil War? How did he win the war?

How did Lenin try to fix Russia’s problems following the Civil War?

Who was Joseph Stalin and how did he differ from Leon Trotsky?

Vocabulary:

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Reds, Whites, Cheka, Red Terror, War Communism,

New Economic Policy (NEP)

August 25, 1939JOURNAL ENTRY #4: Stalin has assumed total control of the Soviet Union. He has

eliminated his political rivals, forced collective change in the countryside, and demanded increased industrial output through his ambitious 5-year plans. His plans to modernize the former Russia seem to be threatened by Hitler’s activities in Germany. Today is the day after Stalin signs an agreement of non-aggression with Nazi Germany.

Guiding Questions:

Who was Joseph Stalin and how did he differ from Leon Trotsky?

What impact did Stalin have on agriculture and Russia’s farmers?

What impact did Stalin have on industry and Russia’s industrial workers?

How did Stalin deal with opposition to him or his leadership?

How did Stalin promote himself and maintain popularity with the Russian people?

Vocabulary:

USSR, Collectives, Kulaks, Famine, Five Year Plan, Gulag, Purges, NKVD, Propaganda, Nazi-Soviet Pact

March 5, 1954JOURNAL ENTRY #5: It’s been exactly one year since Stalin’s death. The USSR

has made it through WWII and taken on “superpower” status as a modern and industrial nation. Communism is known world wide, much to the concern of western, democratic nations. In the past year, some in the Soviet Union are questioning the impact that Stalin had on this country. Yes, he made huge gains, but at what cost to the Russian people?

Guiding Questions:

Describe Russia’s relationships with other countries prior to WWII.

What impact did WWII have on Russia and Stalin’s power?

What actions did Stalin take following WWII to rebuild and extend Russia’s power?

How did Stalin maintain his power right up until his death?

Vocabulary:

Battle of Stalingrad, Reconstruction, Iron Curtain, Buffer Zone, Cold War, Sputnik, Space Race