World History - Greenberg
Russian Revolution Socratic Seminar
In a Socratic Seminar, participants seek to better understand complex ideas through thoughtful dialogue and questioning. The
teacher is a facilitator and observer, but not the expert disseminating information. Students are expected to help each other
deepen and clarify their understanding. In this case, our class will focus on better understanding the causes, course and
consequences of the Russian Revolution.
General Format of Socratic Seminar:
 Small groups will sit in the center of the room “Inner Circle” for 12-15 minutes.
 Each small group will discuss ONE of the “Seminar Questions” below.
 You will not know which question you’ll be asked to discuss until the Seminar begins.
 When you are not in the “inner circle” discussion, be attentive and take notes if you wish. The “outer circle”
people can ask questions or make comments after the “inner circle” discussion is finished.
Guidelines for “Inner Circle” Participants:
 Refer to specific evidence from preparatory notes during the discussion.
 Build off each other’s ideas and ask others for clarification of their comments.
 Take turns speaking; you should not have to raise your hands, be aware, inclusive and polite.
 Use academic listening & speaking techniques (eye contact, posture, clear voice, appropriate language)
Assessment of Socratic Seminar
 Preparatory Notes (Worth 9 Points. Assessed on criteria below):
o Specific Details (from either text, unit packet and/or online related to ALL 5 Discussion Questions)
o Commentary (links details to Discussion Questions…BOLD your commentary)
o Typed
 Participation (Worth 6 Points. Assessed on criteria below):
o Active Involvement (Engaged Speaking & Listening)
o Staying on Topic (Making clear connections to other comments and Seminar Questions)
o Evidence (Supporting your ideas with specific names, terms and quotes)
Russian Revolution Socratic Seminar Discussion Questions
1) Was the end of absolute rule by the Czar over Russia in 1917 inevitable? Were the
Bolsheviks liberators or opportunists?
2) Did Lenin’s approach to revolution in Russia uphold the ideals of Communism? Did he
help or hurt Russia?
3) Was Stalin’s rule over Russia better than that of the Czar? Did he help or hurt Russia
compared to the Czar?
4) What is Animal Farm’s assessment of Human Nature? What is Animal Farm’s
assessment of Stalinism? Do you agree with what it is saying?
5) Why do revolutions that promise to help the average citizen sometimes result in
totalitarian dictatorships? What lessons does the Russian Revolution have for the
modern world?
TOTAL POINTS = 15 points (homework/class work grade)
Some helpful Resources
There is a lot of information online and in books about these topics. The links below are just to get you
started and broaden your horizons beyond Wikipedia. Do your own searching in addition to this.
http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/a/Nicholas-II.htm czar nicholas biography
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/lenin_vladimir.shtml Biography of Lenin
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/russia/lifeinleninsrussiarev1.shtml life in Lenin’s
Russia
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/russia/theneprev1.shtml New Economic Policy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/russia/leninandbolshevikrevolutionrev1.shtml
Timeline of October Revolution
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ussr-established Creation of USSR
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/eastern_front_01.shtml War and Revolution in Russia
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/joseph_stalin/index.html A list of lots of New
York Times articles about Joseph Stalin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/opinion/23iht-edyoung.1.14724126.html?_r=0 Article on Stalin vs the
Tsar
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/stalin_joseph.shtml Stalin Bio
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30828697 interesting article about Stalin’s grandson
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21337504 Some history of George Orwell and Animal Farm
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/interwaryears/section4.rhtml Totalitarianism in Soviet Union
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/coldwar/stalin_01.shtml Stalin’s more “human” side
http://gulaghistory.org/nps/onlineexhibit/ articles about the Gulag
http://gulaghistory.org/nps/onlineexhibit/stalin/