From the last Tsar to the first Soviets: Russia 1894-1924

Aims

This course aims to: 

• introduce you to the life and politics of Imperial Russia
   
• foster an understanding of the causes of change in Russia in this period
   
• examine the revolutionary era and show why Bolshevism succeeded Tsarism 

Content

This course will take you through the last decades of Tsarist rule in Russia and into the early years of the Bolshevik era. You will explore the forces of change that shaped society and politics after Nicholas II became Tsar in 1894 and think about the development of both Tsarism and Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You will learn about what life was like for the Russian people and the State as Russia adjusted to industrialisation, saw a revolutionary challenge to the Autocracy in 1905 (which Lenin called a ‘dress rehearsal’ for 1917), and entered a European conflict that fundamentally changed its internal and external realities. Russia emerged from the Great War a changed country with a different world view. You will discuss the turmoil of the war years and assess the nature of the two revolutions of 1917, and you will consider why Lenin’s Bolsheviks were able to come to power during this revolutionary upheaval. And you will critically assess the new Soviet state, considering the ideological nature of the new government and its successes and failures. Overall, you will consider how Russia changed during the thirty years that saw it move from the era of the last Tsar through to the years of the first Soviets.

Presentation of the course 

This course will be taught through a mixture of lectures and seminar discussions.

Course sessions

1. Russia under the last Tsar: this session looks at Russian society and politics in the early years of Nicholas II
    
2. From revolution to war: Russia 1905-1917: this class considers the reaction to the 1905 revolution and Russia’s involvement in the First World War
    
3. From war to revolution: February 1917: this session looks at the first revolution of 1917 
   and the end of Tsarism
    
4. The October Revolution: this session considers why Lenin’s Bolsheviks came to power 
   in October 1917
    
5. Lenin’s Russia: this class examines the creation of the Soviet state and Lenin’s legacy

Learning outcomes

You are expected to gain from this series of classroom sessions a greater understanding of the subject and of the core issues and arguments central to the course. 

The learning outcomes for this course are:

• an appreciation of the changes and continuities in late-Tsarist Russia
   
• an understanding of the development of Russian politics and society in the revolutionary era
   
• an ability to critically assess the early Leninist system

Required reading

Smith, Stephen A, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928 (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2017)

Typical week: Monday to Friday 

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students.   

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to your learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events. 

Evaluation and Academic Credit  

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.  

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay. 

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit. 

Certificate of attendance 

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.