Was the October Revolution a Popular Uprising, or a Coup D’Etat?

By: Jonathan Kellenberg
By: Jonathan Kellenberg

Classroom Debate: Popular Uprising, or Coup D’Etat? (completed teacher version also available)
The format of this debate and the worksheet provided to students is laid out in such a way that it also helps students decide whether methods or conditions were the most important, which is another popular format of question. Students formulate questions against opponents, then debate them in pairs in front of the class. The next pair provides a synthesis conclusion to this mini-debate before moving on to have their own debate. In this way, students can quickly build up a databank of essential arguments and substantiating evidence ready for the essay-writing phase.