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Introduction
This book is designed to prepare students for the Paper 3, Section 5 topic, Imperial Russia, Revolutions and the Emergence of the Soviet State 1853–1924 (in HL Option 5, Aspects of the History of Europe and the Middle East) in the IB History examination. It examines the decline of imperial power in tsarist Russia and the emergence of the Soviet state. It looks at the social, economic and political factors that accelerated the process of imperial decline. It also considers whether domestic reforms, as well as the impact of war and relationships with foreign powers, hastened or hindered that decline. In addition, it explores the causes and impact of the Bolsheviks’ coming to power and examines the key features of the new Soviet state created by Lenin.
Activity In the period 1853–1924, the state you will be studying is variously described as imperial Russia, tsarist Russia, the Russian autocracy, the Dual Power, the Soviet state and the USSR. Try to find definitions for these terms and draw a timeline showing Russia’s political progression through the different regimes from 1853 to 1924.
This 1853 illustration shows Nicholas I, father of Alexander II, being driven through St Petersburg; at this time, the tsar was all-powerful
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