Russia: Land of the Tsars (4 Parts)

Russia: Land of the Tsars is a four-part series about the leaders of Russia from the Vikings in 862 to the Revolution in 1918. It discusses aspects of Russian history including expansion of the monarchy, the origins of the Russian Orthodox Church, armed conflicts, the changing political climate, opposition to the Tsars, and the gradual modernization of Russian society.

Curriculum Links
Russia: Land of the Tsars would be useful for classes on World History, Russian and/or European History, and Political Science. It is appropriate for middle and high school.

Objectives
Students will explore and analyze the history of the Russian rulers and the impact of their policies on the Russian people. They will examine complex political intrigues, the development of a nation, the process and consequences of introducing new political ideas, and the role of opposition movements in historical change.

National History Standards
Russia: Land of the Tsars fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretations, and historical research capabilities for World History eras 5, 6, 7, and part of era 8.

Pre-viewing activities (appropriate for all segments)

1. Russia: Land of the Tsars covers a long expanse of history in four parts: 862-1584, 1600-1725, 1740-1825, and 1837-1918. Make a timeline to organize the material, breaking it into four sections according to the time periods. If you are watching part of the series and not the entire four hours, focus on the period you are studying.
2. Russia covers a vast area of land, and its borders changed constantly over the course of the series. Look at a modern map of Russia. Where are the big cities? Where are the coastlines, rivers and mountains? What countries does it border? Refer to the map as you watch the program. What are the boundaries at the time of the segment? Do they change?

Discussion Questions

  1. Discuss the role of the Mongols in Russian history. How did they rule Russia? What were the advantage, disadvantages and consequences of this system? (Hour 1)

  2. What did Ivan IV do to be named “Ivan the Terrible”? How did he use his power? (Hour 1)

  3. Why do you think Peter the Great is called that? What did he do that was so unusual for his time? What ideas did he introduce to Russia? (Hour 2)

  4. What is serfdom? What did being a serf mean to a farmer? Which Tsar instituted serfdom, and why? (Hour 2)

  5. How did Catherine the Great come to power? What kinds of ideas did she encourage or discourage? What lasting impact did she have on Russia? (Hour 3)

  6. What kind of political expression was permitted in Russia in the 19th century? How did this compare to countries like the United States or France during the same period? What happened to people who opposed the Tsar? (Hour 3)

  7. What kinds of reforms did Alexander II institute? Why did some people continue to oppose him? What happened to him, and what were the consequences? (Hour 4)

  8. What were some of the problems leading up to the Russian Revolution in 1917? What grievances did the Russian people have against the Tsars? Do you think they were justified? (Hour 4)

  9. Russia was involved in a number of wars over the time period covered by the series. Which conflicts occurred during the segment(s) that you watched? Who was Russia fighting, and why? What were the causes and consequences of these wars? What did it mean to be drafted into the Russian army? (all segments)

  10. The leaders of Russia certainly enjoyed a higher standard of living than the ordinary Russian, but they were also subject to different pressures. How did they view their social position? What were the risks and benefits of power? (all segments)
Extended Activities

  1. Make a timeline based on the segment(s) you watched. Who were the leaders? What major events and ideas shaped that period? Include some events that happened in other parts of the world at the same time. (all segments)

  2. Identify historical figures. Depending on which part of the series you see, identify the following people. What is their significance in Russian history? Hour 1: Prince Vladimir, Grand Prince Dimitry, Ivan the Terrible; Hour 2: Mikhail Ryodorovich Romanov, Sophia Alexeevna, Peter the Great; Hour 3: Peter III, Catherine the Great, Alexander I; Hour 4: Nicholas I, Alexander II, Nicholas II

  3. What do you think everyday life in Russia was like? According to which segment of the series you watched, imagine what it might have been like to be a farmer or serf, a merchant, a servant, a soldier, or a factory worker. What year are you imagining it to be? Who is Tsar? Write an essay as if you are that person and discuss some of the events of your time period. (all segments)

  4. Why did Prince Vladimir make his subjects convert to one religion? Research the different faiths he considered, and make a chart comparing their central beliefs. Why do you think Prince Vladimir chose the Eastern Orthodox Church to be the church of Russia? (Hour 1)

  5. Imagine you are part of the entourage that toured Western Europe with Peter the Great. Write a letter to your family in Russia describing your travels. What do you see that is different from Russia? Why do you think Peter wanted to study in Europe, and what ideas did he bring home with him? (Hour 2)

  6. Catherine the Great was one of Russia’s few female rulers and she enacted many reforms. Imagine you are a young woman working as a lady-in-waiting to the Tsarina and that you keep a diary to record your thoughts. What kinds of changes did Catherine encourage? What do you think about them? Are there reforms that you secretly think she should enact, but does not? (Hour 3)

  7. Discuss the Russian Revolution. Imagine it is 1917 and you are an American journalist writing an article about the Revolution for readers back home. Why do you think it happened? What were the different factors that shaped the politics and events of that moment? Do you feel the Bolsheviks were justified in taking over the government? Imagine you have interviewed different people for your article. What do they think about the Revolution? Do they think life will change in Russia, and if so, how? (Hour 4)
Related Videos
Primary Sources
  • http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/russian/history.html has links to numerous sites on Russian History

Air Dates

Classroom Materials