Active History: Games for Kids

Lenin's Russia, 1918-1924


 
 
 
 

This unit can be taught in one of two ways, both of which I provide here. In addition, students can make use of the following interactive simulation:

Lenin and the USSR: A Decision-Making Adventure

Take on the role of a Politburo heavyweight and see how successfully you help Lenin to rule the USSR between 1917-24. A great simulation for approaching what can be a very complicated topic!
USSR under Lenin

 

A. Lenin's Russia as a Roleplay-based unit (less detailed, but highly interactive - recommended!)

This unit is taught completely through roleplay! Each student takes on the role of a different Politburo member and researches 'their' perspective on the key issues facing the new Soviet state. The teacher takes the role of President Kalinin, acting as Chair. Each lesson then works through issues "as they arise" between 1918-24, with plentiful use made of primary sources and round-table discussions. As Lenin's decisions on each issue are outlined, students can then make notes not just on 'what happened' but on how controversial these decisions were and how far Lenin was abandoning his communist ideology in favour of pragmatism; they will also get a very thorough understanding of the different splits in the party which Stalin is later able to exploit to such devastating effect.

Student Resources (Lenin's Russia, 1918-1924)

Research GridPDF File0.21MBPreview Page 1
Politburo ImagePowerPoint0.19MB
1917 Decrees 1918 ConstitutionPDF File0.19MBPreview Page 1
1918 Cons AssemblyPDF File0.19MBPreview Page 1
Cartoon-StarterImage File1.71MB
1918 Brest LitovskPDF File0.21MBPreview Page 1
1918 WarCom-AimsPDF File0.2MBPreview Page 1
PropagandaPowerPoint0.14MB
1918 Red TerrorPDF File0.2MBPreview Page 1
Dzerzhisky ImagePowerPoint0.09MB
1919-20 Civil WarPDF File0.21MBPreview Page 1
Propaganda PostersPowerPoint21.7MB
1921 RevoltsPDF File0.28MBPreview Page 1
1921 Politburo BriefingPowerPoint0.21MB
1921 NEPPDF File0.19MBPreview Page 1
1922 National MinoritiesPDF File0.41MBPreview Page 1
Stalin and FriendsPowerPoint0.33MB
1922 Lenins TestamentPDF File0.72MBPreview Page 1
HistoriographyPDF File0.21MBPreview Page 1
Historiography 2PDF File0.19MBPreview Page 1
Essay TaskPDF File0.22MBPreview Page 1
Homework Lenin Article by Russel Tarr-make notesPDF File1.65MBPreview Page 1
Revision Activity-Game WorksheetPDF File0.2MBPreview Page 1

 


 

 

B. Lenin's Russia as a worksheet-based unit (more detailed, but less interactive)

1. Political Oppression: From the Constituent Assembly to the Red Terror
2. Political Concession: The 1918 Constitution
3. Peace and War: From Brest-Litovsk to Civil War
4. The issue of National Minorities
5. War Communism
6. The Crisis Year: 1921
7. The New Economic Policy
8. Divisions within the Party by 1924
9. Conclusion on Lenin
10. Summary: Lecture Notes / Student Worksheet
11. Lenin's Russia: Historiography

C. Interactive Simulations to use at appropriate points in the unit

1. Decision-making Game
The USSR under Lenin
How can you help Lenin rule Russia after seizing power in 1917? A comprehensive decision-making game complete with a worksheet which will give students a thorough grounding in the main events and issues of the period. This interactive simulation is particularly useful as a revision exercise in the lead-up to the final exams, which is when I use it.
2. Interactive Running Dictation Exercise
The Crisis Year: 1921
Students are provided with an interactive news "feed" that throws out events "as they happen" like a ticker-tape. They have to jot down as much as they can in the time have available and then produce a biased newspaper report about the events of the year.

Interactive Arcade Games

Interactive quizzes: Lenin's USSR [tips]
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1. Fling the Teacher Quiz - USSR under Lenin
2. KeyWord Challenge: Lenin's Russia [Interactive]
If you are unfamiliar with the format of the game, click here for instructions.

History in the News for Lenin's Russia, 1918-1924

1. Kim Jong-il: North Korean tyrant is to be embalmed and displayed like Lenin KIM JONG-IL has won the ultimate communist honour – being embalmed and displayed for public worship. The former North Korean despot is getting the same formaldehyde-and-fawning treatment as his dictator dad Kim Il-sung after he died in 1994. Visitors paying their respects at Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Memorial Palace will have to bow three times...
2. Barack Obama compared to Hitler and Lenin in Tea Party billboard A roadside billboard created by a branch of the Tea Party in Iowa comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin has been condemned by other groups in the movement.
3. Vladimir Lenin died from syphilis, new research claims  
4. Lenin's nose put out of joint in Kiev  
5. China plans a Karl Marx musical  
6. CNBC claims "Comrade" Obama is a "Bolshevik" who is "taking cues from Lenin"  
7. Georgia fails to escape its past (BBC)  
8. Russia and Georgia move to brink of war  
9. Tens of Thousands March 90 Years After Tsar's Death  
10. Lenin statue vandalised by Ukrainian Nationalists  
11. The London haunts of VI Lenin  
12. Russian heir demands Tsar Nicholas II murder investigation  
13. Vatican thumbs up for Karl Marx after Galileo, Darwin and Oscar Wilde  
14. Romanov grand duchess's hidden jewellery found  
15. DNA testing ends mystery surrounding Czar Nicholas II children  
16. Bury Lenin's body, says Gorbachev  
17. Huge tribute to Lenin visible on Google Earth  
18. Crisis in Georgia: History repeating itself  
19. Stalin and Last Tsar in Neck-and-Neck Race  
20. Relics of the Soviet era remain in Russia #historyteacher  
21. Did Britain try to assassinate Lenin?  

 

 

 

 
 
 
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