Teacher notes

Chapter 9 The Decline and Fall of the Romanov Dynasty

Pages 133–152

Syllabus content
Content focus

Students investigate the decline and fall of the Romanov dynasty using a range of sources. The Historical
concepts and skills content is to be integrated as appropriate.

Students investigate:

• the historical context, including:

– origins and nature of the Russian Empire

– relationships with foreign powers

• the nature of the decline and fall of the Romanov dynasty, including:

– the Romanov empire at the time of Nicholas II, including political, economic and social grievances

– the role of Nicholas II as autocrat

– the development of opposition to the Romanovs

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 – the role of the First World War in the collapse of the Romanov dynasty

– the transfer of power from the Romanov regime to the Provisional Government

• a relevant historical debate or issue, for example:

– the execution of the Romanovs; the role of ethnic minorities in the Russian Empire under
Nicholas II.

Applicable concepts and skills

Analysis and use of sources

• Explain the meaning and value of sources for an historical inquiry (ACHMH007, ACHMH009)

• Analyse sources to identify and account for the different perspectives of individuals and groups in the
past (ACHMH010)

• Analyse and synthesise evidence from different types of sources to develop reasoned claims
(ACHMH008)

• Identify and analyse problems relating to sources in the investigation of the past (ACHMH011)

Historical interpretation

• Analyse the extent and nature of continuity and change over time (ACHMH001)

• Identify and analyse the varying causes and effects of events and developments in order to construct
historical arguments (ACHMH001)

• Form judgements about historical significance, recognising that significance may be attributed for
different purposes

• Analyse and evaluate contested interpretations and representations of the past (ACHMH011,
ACHMH012)

Historical investigation and research

• Frame questions to guide historical inquiry and develop a coherent research plan (ACHMH004)

• Use evidence from a range of sources to inform investigation and research (ACHMH005)

• Acknowledge sources appropriately (ACHMH015)

Explanation and communication

• Develop texts, particularly historical accounts and arguments, supported by relevant evidence from
sources (ACHMH013)

• Communicate historical understanding, using historical knowledge, concepts and terms, in forms
appropriate to purpose and audience (ACHMH014)

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Teaching this chapter
Why teach The Decline and Fall of the Romanov Dynasty?

The Decline and Fall of the Romanov Dynasty provides essential background for the Year 12 national study
Russia and the Soviet Union 1917–1941. It will greatly enhance student understanding of the situation that
led to the rise of the Bolsheviks.

Sequencing to Year 12

A decision that will have to be made in terms of developing a scope and sequence is whether you wish to
place the Decline and Fall of the Romanov Dynasty as close as possible to the Russia and Soviet Union
national study.

Beware of …

It is important that there is a clear differentiation between the Year 11 and Year 12 course content, and all
care needs to be taken that no Year 12 material is taught in Year 11.

Using the sources

Students should be encouraged to consider the different perspectives in primary and secondary sources.
Students should discuss how participation in events may lead to primary sources that lack the considered
perspective that secondary sources may have.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the unit, students will have an understanding of the reasons why such a longstanding royal
family as the Romanovs were unable to adjust to changing circumstances, and of the forces that led to the
Russian revolution and the destruction of the dynasty.

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Key Features of Modern History 1 Year 11 5E Teacher obook assess ISBN 9780190310493. Permission has been granted for this page to be
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Lesson ideas

• Debate
Hold a class debate on the following statement: ‘The Fundamental Laws of 1906 made revolution in
Russia inevitable.’

• Group work
In groups, have students research, analyse and present the different aims and perspectives of the
following people/groups in February 1917:

– the tsar

– the striking workers

– the Duma

– the Russian Army

– the Bolsheviks.

• Creative exercise
Students should examine Sources 11 and 12 (page 139) and create an imaginary interview with one of
the people shown. The ‘interview’ should shed light on the subject’s feelings about Nicholas II as a
ruler and tell of the life they are leading in Nicholas’ Russia.

• Source study
Have students explore the Alexander Palace Time Machine at http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/.
They should select one source for analysis, and:

– identify what type of source it is

– describe the source in detail

– explain how the source helps them understand the Romanovs and their place in Russia at the
time the source was created.

• Personality study
Two of the key personalities that dominated the final years of the Romanov dynasty were Nicholas II
and Rasputin. Have the class consider their similarities, differences and impact on Russian history,
and create a Venn diagram that shows clearly where they are different and similar.

• Hypothetical exercise
Have students describe how they think Russia would have developed if Tsar Nicholas had met the
protestors in St Petersburg on Sunday, 22 January 1905, and used their petition to create a ‘January
manifesto’ that met their demands.

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Key Features of Modern History 1 Year 11 5E Teacher obook assess ISBN 9780190310493. Permission has been granted for this page to be
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of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017.
Additional resources
Reading list

Massie, Robert K. Nicholas and Alexandra. Random House. New York. 2000.

Massie, Robert K. The Romanovs: The Final Chapter. Random House. New York. 1996.

Rappaport, Helen. The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinbur. St Martin’s Press. New York.
2010.

Rappaport, Helen. Four Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Romanov Grand Duchesses. Pan MacMillan.
London. 2015.

Steinberg, Mark D. and Khrustalë, Vladimir M. Fall of the Romanovs: Political Dreams and Personal
Struggles in a Time of Revolution. Yale University Press. New Haven. 1997.

Useful links

http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/ is a site that collects a wide range of sources on the Romanovs.

https://dailyhistory.org/Why_did_the_Russian_Romanov_Dynasty_collapse_in_1917%3F is an accessible
summary of the period.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/russia/whatwastoblamerev1.shtml contains a brief

coverage of the reasons for the collapse of the Romanov dynasty.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/23/russia-tests-romanov-royal-family-remains is a 2015
article on the reopening of the investigation into the death of the Romanovs.

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Key Features of Modern History 1 Year 11 5E Teacher obook assess ISBN 9780190310493. Permission has been granted for this page to be
photocopied within the purchasing institution only. NSW Modern History Stage 6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority for and on behalf
of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017.