Russian Revolution Simulation

Russian Revolution Simulation Notes

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. There is a shortage of women characters and so I have included Rosa Luxemburg and Louise Bryant. These two women should only be used if there are not enough female characters for the class (16). Luxemburg was in prison during 1917 and Bryant was an American who only arrived in Russia in 1917.

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 students should have studied Russia: 1860-1900 and 1905 Russian Revolution before starting the simulation.

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 beginning of Russia, July, 1914, the students need to be told that Groups A and B meet in Russia and Groups C and D meet in exile in Switzerland.

At the end of this session the students are told what actually happened in Russia during the autumn of 1914. The students then read about the problems faced by the Russian government during the first two years of the war: Russia: 1914-1916.

When you reach Russia, January, 1917 the class is told that Alexander Protopopov has moved from Group B to Group A. It is worth telling the students that there are rumours that there might be Okhrana spies in Groups B, C and D and revolutionary spies in Groups A and B. In fact, none of the characters are spies (although Alexander Protopopov probably was), but this was a genuine fear at the time. Later you might want your students to take a look at Evno Azef and Roman Malinovsky who worked as Okhrana spies during this period. There were also spies in the Provisional Government and this enabled Vladimir Lenin to avoid arrest during 1917.

Before starting the final stage of the simulation the students need to read about the July Offensive and the Kornilov Revolt.

At the beginning of Russia, October, 1917 you need to tell the students that Vera Figner, Vera Zasulich, Catherine Breshkovskaya, Irakli Tsereteli, Fedor Dan, Victor Chernov, of Group 3 have joined Group 2 and Alexandra Kollontai, Maria Spirdonova, Leon Trotsky and Vladimir Antonov-Ovseenko of Group 3 have joined Group 4.

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.

Tasks

Russia, July, 1914

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.

Russia, January, 1917

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.

Russia, October, 1917

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.