Module Information

The twentieth century was, for Russia, one of the most challenging in its history and the state existed in more than one form ? as Empire, Soviet Union, and the Russian Federation. During the twentieth century Russia experienced war, revolution and systemic collapse, all of which brought serious challenges and which have left their mark on contemporary Russia. Only by examining the whole century can Modern Russia be properly understood and key questions as to the impact of war, revolution, collapse, and Russia's post-Soviet development be addressed. This module will provide an overview of the history of Russia from 1900 to the present day. By examining the whole twentieth century, the continuities and changes in Russian politics, society and economics from the Russian Empire, through the Soviet era and into the post-Soviet period can be understood and an appreciation of Modern Russia gained.

Lectures
1. Introduction: Russia in 1900
2. The 1905 Revolution
3. Reaction, Reform and the Duma
4. Russia and the First World War
5. The February Revolution and the Provisional Government
6. The October Revolution and the Rise of the Bolsheviks
7. The NEP Era
8. The Great Break
9. The Soviet Union under Stalin
10. The Soviet Union at War, 1941-1945
11. High Stalinism
12. Destalinization
13. Restalinization and Stagnation
14. Glasnost and Perestroika
15. The Collapse of the Soviet Union
16. Post-Soviet Russia, 1991-1999
17. Russia under Putin, 2000-
18. Concluding Session: Understanding Russia

Seminars
1. Introduction: Historiography of the Russian Revolution
2. The Consolidation of Bolshevik Power and the NEP Era
3. The Soviet Union under Stalin
4. The Khrushchev and Brezhnev Eras
5. The Collapse of the Soviet Union