UNIT Y318: RUSSIA AND ITS RULERS
NOTE: BASED ON 3X 50 MINUTE LESSONS PER WEEK
TERMS BASED ON 6 TERM YEAR.
This theme focuses on the nature of Russian government and its impact on the Russian people and society. Learners should understand the similarities and
differences between the autocratic rule of the tsars to 1917 and the subsequent Communist dictatorship. The strands identified below are not to be studied in
isolation to each other. Learners are not expected to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the specification content, except for the named in-depth studies,
but are expected to know the main developments and turning points relevant to the theme.
Key Topic Week Indicative Content Extended Content Resources
The nature of 1 Autocracy, dictatorship Nature of rule in Russia from 1855- Bromley, J. Russia 1848-1917
government and totalitarianism 1964 (2002) Heinemann, Harlow
Tsarist and Communist aims, Conquest, R. Stalin: Breaker of
ambitions, fears and concerns. Nations (2003) Phoenix, London
Similarities and differences in Corin C. & Fiehn, T. Communist
leadership between Tsars, Russia under Lenin and Stalin
Communists, individual (2002) Schools History Project,
The effectiveness of Tsarism, John Murray, London
Communism and individual rulers. Evans, D. & Jenkins, J. Years of
1 Developments in Similarities and differences in the Russia and the USSR 1851-1991
central administration features and functions of (2001) Hodder and Stoughton,
Changes in local government institutions or ministerial London
government positions. Figes, O. Revolutionary Russia,
The extent of control of central 1891-1991: a Pelican Introduction
government and its ruler. (2014)
The development of central, regional Hite, J. Tsarist Russia 1801-1917
and local government. (1989) Causeway Press, Ormskirk
Similarities and differences between Holland, A. Russia and its Rulers
Tsarist and Communist 1855-1964 (2010) OCR Historical
governments and methods. Themes, Hodder Education, London
The role and impact of individuals on Laver, J. The Modernisation of
the nature or course of Russian Russia 1856-1985 (2002)
Version 1 1 © OCR 2017
, Key Topic Week Indicative Content Extended Content Resources
government (e.g. Milyutin, Witte, Heinemann, Oxford
Pobedonostsev, Stolypin, Trotsky, Lee, S. Russia and the USSR 1855-
Rasputin, Dzerzhinsky, Kirov, 1991 (2006) Routledge, Oxford
Zinoviev, Beria, Kaganovich, Lynch, M. Reaction and Revolution:
Molotov). Russia 1894-1924 (3rd ed. 2005)
The nature, aims and development Hodder Murray, London
of Communist institutions such as Lynch, M. Bolshevik and Stalinist
the CPSU, Central Committee, Russia (5th ed.2015) Hodder,
Politburo, Sovnarkom, Comintern, London
Cominform, Vesenkha, Gosplan. Oxley, P. Russia 1855-1991 From
Reasons for and the nature of De- Tsars to Commissars (2001) Oxford
Stalinisation. University Press, Oxford
Impact of war and revolution. Sebag Montefiore, S. Stalin: Court
2 The extent and impact Reasons for economic, political, of the Red Tsar (2004), Phoenix,
of reform military and social reform (e.g. need London
to catch up with the West, war, Service, R. Lenin (2000) Pan
revolution, serfdom). Macmillan, London
Extent to which reform was imposed Sherman, R. & Pearce, R. Russia
‘from above’ or ‘from below’. 1815-81 (2nd ed. 2002) Access to
Strengths, limitations and impact of History, Hodder and Stoughton,
reforms affecting the government, London
army, economy and society (short- Wells, M. Russia and its Rulers
and long-term effects). 1855-1964 (2008) OCR History,
The significance some key reforms: Heinemann, Harlow
o the Emancipation of the Serfs.
o constitutional reforms and
developments such as the
October Manifesto,
Fundamental Laws,
Constituent Assembly, Stalin
Constitution.
Reasons for the limitations of
reforms and extent of Russia’s
Version 1 2 © OCR 2017
, Key Topic Week Indicative Content Extended Content Resources
problems (e.g. geographic size,
backwardness, large peasantry,
corruption).
The role of reform and political
development as a catalyst for
revolution or opposition to
government.
3 Methods of repression Similarities and differences between
and enforcement Tsarist, Communist and individual
rulers’ methods:
o government policies (e.g.
education, judiciary,
emergency powers, food
requisitioning)
o propaganda and censorship
o secret police (e.g. Third
Section, Okhrana, Cheka,
NKVD, MVD, KGB)
o ‘guests of the Tsar’, the
Lyubianka, exile and gulags
o denunciations, fear,
espionage, chistka and show
trials
o anti-semitism and pogroms
o role of positions such as the
Minister of the Interior
o importance of individuals
such as Trepov, Plehve,
Dzerzhinsky, Yezhov, Beria
o the Red Terror and
Ezhovschina
o ideological tenets of the Cold
War and mistrust of the
Version 1 3 © OCR 2017
NOTE: BASED ON 3X 50 MINUTE LESSONS PER WEEK
TERMS BASED ON 6 TERM YEAR.
This theme focuses on the nature of Russian government and its impact on the Russian people and society. Learners should understand the similarities and
differences between the autocratic rule of the tsars to 1917 and the subsequent Communist dictatorship. The strands identified below are not to be studied in
isolation to each other. Learners are not expected to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the specification content, except for the named in-depth studies,
but are expected to know the main developments and turning points relevant to the theme.
Key Topic Week Indicative Content Extended Content Resources
The nature of 1 Autocracy, dictatorship Nature of rule in Russia from 1855- Bromley, J. Russia 1848-1917
government and totalitarianism 1964 (2002) Heinemann, Harlow
Tsarist and Communist aims, Conquest, R. Stalin: Breaker of
ambitions, fears and concerns. Nations (2003) Phoenix, London
Similarities and differences in Corin C. & Fiehn, T. Communist
leadership between Tsars, Russia under Lenin and Stalin
Communists, individual (2002) Schools History Project,
The effectiveness of Tsarism, John Murray, London
Communism and individual rulers. Evans, D. & Jenkins, J. Years of
1 Developments in Similarities and differences in the Russia and the USSR 1851-1991
central administration features and functions of (2001) Hodder and Stoughton,
Changes in local government institutions or ministerial London
government positions. Figes, O. Revolutionary Russia,
The extent of control of central 1891-1991: a Pelican Introduction
government and its ruler. (2014)
The development of central, regional Hite, J. Tsarist Russia 1801-1917
and local government. (1989) Causeway Press, Ormskirk
Similarities and differences between Holland, A. Russia and its Rulers
Tsarist and Communist 1855-1964 (2010) OCR Historical
governments and methods. Themes, Hodder Education, London
The role and impact of individuals on Laver, J. The Modernisation of
the nature or course of Russian Russia 1856-1985 (2002)
Version 1 1 © OCR 2017
, Key Topic Week Indicative Content Extended Content Resources
government (e.g. Milyutin, Witte, Heinemann, Oxford
Pobedonostsev, Stolypin, Trotsky, Lee, S. Russia and the USSR 1855-
Rasputin, Dzerzhinsky, Kirov, 1991 (2006) Routledge, Oxford
Zinoviev, Beria, Kaganovich, Lynch, M. Reaction and Revolution:
Molotov). Russia 1894-1924 (3rd ed. 2005)
The nature, aims and development Hodder Murray, London
of Communist institutions such as Lynch, M. Bolshevik and Stalinist
the CPSU, Central Committee, Russia (5th ed.2015) Hodder,
Politburo, Sovnarkom, Comintern, London
Cominform, Vesenkha, Gosplan. Oxley, P. Russia 1855-1991 From
Reasons for and the nature of De- Tsars to Commissars (2001) Oxford
Stalinisation. University Press, Oxford
Impact of war and revolution. Sebag Montefiore, S. Stalin: Court
2 The extent and impact Reasons for economic, political, of the Red Tsar (2004), Phoenix,
of reform military and social reform (e.g. need London
to catch up with the West, war, Service, R. Lenin (2000) Pan
revolution, serfdom). Macmillan, London
Extent to which reform was imposed Sherman, R. & Pearce, R. Russia
‘from above’ or ‘from below’. 1815-81 (2nd ed. 2002) Access to
Strengths, limitations and impact of History, Hodder and Stoughton,
reforms affecting the government, London
army, economy and society (short- Wells, M. Russia and its Rulers
and long-term effects). 1855-1964 (2008) OCR History,
The significance some key reforms: Heinemann, Harlow
o the Emancipation of the Serfs.
o constitutional reforms and
developments such as the
October Manifesto,
Fundamental Laws,
Constituent Assembly, Stalin
Constitution.
Reasons for the limitations of
reforms and extent of Russia’s
Version 1 2 © OCR 2017
, Key Topic Week Indicative Content Extended Content Resources
problems (e.g. geographic size,
backwardness, large peasantry,
corruption).
The role of reform and political
development as a catalyst for
revolution or opposition to
government.
3 Methods of repression Similarities and differences between
and enforcement Tsarist, Communist and individual
rulers’ methods:
o government policies (e.g.
education, judiciary,
emergency powers, food
requisitioning)
o propaganda and censorship
o secret police (e.g. Third
Section, Okhrana, Cheka,
NKVD, MVD, KGB)
o ‘guests of the Tsar’, the
Lyubianka, exile and gulags
o denunciations, fear,
espionage, chistka and show
trials
o anti-semitism and pogroms
o role of positions such as the
Minister of the Interior
o importance of individuals
such as Trepov, Plehve,
Dzerzhinsky, Yezhov, Beria
o the Red Terror and
Ezhovschina
o ideological tenets of the Cold
War and mistrust of the
Version 1 3 © OCR 2017
