ATAR Modern History Units 3 & 4

Syllabus

Unit 3: Modern nations in the 20th Century, Elective 2: Russia and the Soviet Union 1914-1945

This unit examines the characteristics of modern nations in the 20th century; the crises that confronted nations, their responses to these crises and the different paths nations have taken to fulfill their goals. Students study one nation. 

In this guide, syllabus points are shown in purple.

Past Exams & Sources

Try writing the exam without looking at the answers, then use the answers to see how you went. This will give you a good indication of where you are with study and preparation. Note that these include units not studied at Corpus Christi so only do the electives (e.g. Russia) that you're actually studying!

Revolutionary Ideas & Groups

Perspectives and interpretations

analyse and account for the different perspectives of individuals and groups in the past

Historical Knowledge and Understanding

significant ideas of the period

Key Revolutionary Events

Chronology, terms and concepts

identify links between events to understand the nature and significance of causation, continuity and change over time 

New Economic Policy 1921

Russia Before 1917: Background & Context

Historical Knowledge and Understanding

an overview of Russia in 1914 as background for more intensive study of the period 

Causes of the Revolution

Social Discontent

  • Social structure promoted privilege
  • Perception of Tsars as uncaring compounded in specific events
  • Ethnic minorities suppressed by 'Russification'

 

Jewish Immigration from Russia (as a result of anti-Jew policies)

Economic Discontent

  • Lethargy and inefficiency in economic management 
  • Agrarian, backwards economy- being addressed eventually 
  • Tiny professional skilled middle class, very large upper class and huge peasant class 
  • Eventual industrialization created new problems for workers that needed to be addressed

Political Discontent

  • Little to no political representation for the vast majority of the citizens of the empire
  • Bribery and corruption in government
  • Rise of influence of radical groups; comparative democracy in other nations (UK, US, France)

Russia Under Stalin

Historical Knowledge and Understanding 

the role and impact of significant individuals in the period, including political, military and social/cultural leaders

Key Figures

Vladimir Lenin was a Russian communist revolutionary and head of the Bolshevik Party, who rose to prominence during the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Bolsheviks would later become the Communist Party, making Lenin leader of the Soviet Union, the world’s first communist state.  

Nicolas II of Russia was the last Emperor of Russia, ruling from 1 November 1894 until his forced abdication on 15 March 1917. His reign saw the fall of the Russian Empire from one of the foremost great powers of the world to economic and military collapse.

Alexander II was the third-last Tsar and initiated many reforms, including the abolition of serfdom, before his assassination in 1881. Upon his death, his son reversed most of Alexander II's reforms.

Leon Trotsky was a leader in Russia’s October Revolution in 1917, and later of the Soviet Union. In the struggle for power following Lenin’s death, Joseph Stalin emerged as victor, while Trotsky was removed from all positions of power and later assassinated.

Joseph Stalin was a Georgian revolutionary and Soviet politician who led the Soviet Union from the mid–1920s until 1953. While initially presiding over a collective leadership as first among equals, he ultimately consolidated enough power to become the country's de facto dictator by the 1930s. Stalin's policies became known as Stalinism.

Russian Civil War 1917-1922

Historical Knowledge and Understanding

the internal divisions and crises within Russian society

The Russian Civil War was a conflict to control the political future of Russia after the two 1917 Revolutions. The war ended with the formation of the Soviet Union.

Trotsky addressing the Red Guard, 1918, Library of Congress (US)

Stalin Vs. Trotsky

Historical Knowledge and Understanding

the impact of leadership and political ideas 

Russia in WWII