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Stalin's USSR

A. An Introduction to Stalin's USSR

1.	Interactive Interview with Josef Stalin [interactive] Allocate out a different topic from those listed in the drop-down menu to each student. In a subsequent lesson, each student then does a presentation to the class based on their findings. Best of all is if they choose the three most interesting questions and responses and memorise these. The questions are then given by each student to the teacher. Each student then has to sit in front of the class, and the teacher interviews each "Stalin" whilst the rest of the class takes notes.
2.	The Court of the Red Tsar: Overview of the CD Audiobook A grid summarising the main themes and personalities covered in each section of the audiobook.
3.	Splat the Stalinist! [interactive] Designed to help students learn about the significance of key characters of the Stalinist period in a fun way!

B. Rise to Power

1.	Introduction A re-cap on the political situation in Russia in the early 1920s, a historiographical overview of the importance of the topic, some possible exam questions, and a discussion of Stalin's qualities (teacher version here).There is a completed teacher version available.
2.	Divisions in the party before 1924 This worksheet focuses on the divisions in the party caused by the Red Terror, Civil War, War Communism and NEP. As such it provides a good introduction to some of the main characters such as Trotsky, Bukharin and Tukhachevsky. There is a completed teacher version available.
3.	Lenin's Testament: Tasks [interactive] Students make notes on the Interactive running dictation exercise on the last Years of Lenin before completing this worksheet, which analyses the problems thrown up by Lenin's Testament and assesses his opinion of each of the main contenders for power after his death. There is a completed teacher version available.
4.	Lenin's Testament: Source This is the primary source necessary to complete the previous worksheet. There is also a spurious obituary from "The Onion" for those of you who are feeling irreverent...
5.	Who should succeed Lenin? Students consider a comprehensive list of statements which outline the strengths and weaknesses of the main contenders for power. Using any sources available, students write “S” for Strength, “W” for weakness, in the appropriate column for each row where T=Trotsky, K=Kamenev, Z=Zinoviev, S=Stalin, B=Bukharin. There is a completed teacher version available.
6.	The Rise of Stalin: A Sweet Roleplay Exercise! [interactive] This interactive exercise forms part of the ActiveHistory unit on Stalin's Rise to Power. Students take the role of five key members of the Politburo at the end of 1922. The respective power of these figures is represented by distributing a large bag of sweets between them. As events unfold, members of the audience have to consider who is gaining power, and at whose expense. At each stage, the sweets are redistributed accordingly and the computer keeps a graphic track of changing fortunes. Video clips from YouTube are built in at appropriate points to consolidate knowledge. A printable worksheet is dynamically generated at the end of the exercise, providing graphics, narrative and follow-up questions.
7.	Hexagon Learning - Essay Planning and Preparation Students are provided with a detailed list of factors relating to Stalin's rise to power. These are organised under 3-5 headings. There is a completed teacher version available.
8.	Completed Model Essay: Compare and Contrast the Rise of Mao and Stalin PowerPoint Teacher Presentation: Why did Stalin become leader of the USSR? These resources could be used following the completion of the essay as part of a feedback session, or as part of revision materials before the final examination.
9.	Animal Farm: How useful is it for the historian studying Stalin's Rise to Power? This can be used either towards the end of the unit, or as a revision exercise nearer to the examination. Students watch the first 37 minutes or so of the 1950s cartoon version of the film (which covers the rise of Stalin and which can easily be bought through Amazon). As they watch it, make a note of all of the characters, events, places and themes which are covered in the story, and in brackets make a note of what they think they actually represent (e.g. Marx, Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, the 1905 Revolution, the Comintern, the Civil War....). Plenty of ideas and guidance is provided in the worksheet.
10.	The Rise of Stalin: Collapsible Revision Notes [interactive] Ideal as a revision / consolidation activity

© 1998-2022 Russel Tarr, ActiveHistory.co.uk Limited (Reg. 6111680)
High Park Lodge, Edstaston Wem, Shropshire, England, SY4 5RD. Telephone/Fax: 01939 233909
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1998-2022 Russel Tarr, ActiveHistory.co.uk Limited (Reg. 6111680)

High Park Lodge, Edstaston Wem, Shropshire, England, SY4 5RD. Telephone/Fax: 01939 233909
All rights reserved

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