The French revolution of 1789
Area of Study 1: Causes of revolution (1774 to October 1789)
Weeks 1–2
Introduction to the course: overview of areas of study, outcomes and assessment; discussion of nature of ‘revolution’, ‘destruction of an existing political order’ and ‘pervasive change to society’; the impact of geography on France and the decision of the King regarding the location of the centre of power, life in France and the social structure – three Estates, rights and privileges; the imposition of ‘new’ and different taxes, attempts and ideas of economic reform, and France’s situation as a ‘world power’; the military alliance with the American revolutionaries, 1778, and the relationship between Church and monarchy; the ideas that played a significant role in challenging the existing order, and the role of individuals.
Weeks 3–4
Decisions made by Louis XVI regarding appointments and dismissals of comptrollers general Necker’s Compte Rendu, and the growing tension and calls for economic reform; the end of involvement in the American War of Independence and subsequent war debt, and the ongoing friction between the monarchy and the Parlements, noble privileges and emerging peasant grievances.
Weeks 5-6
The Assembly of Notables and the dismissal of the Parlement, the influence of ideas in challenging the existing order, the revolt of the Notables, the response to Necker’s suggestion to increase Third Estate representation, and the increasing critique of privilege; the contribution of movements for constitutional reform, and the impact of the poor harvests, the increasing claims to popular sovereignty and equality challenging the existing order.
Weeks 7–8
The role of Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès in giving voice to the Third Estate, and the increasing production of political pamphlets, and relaxation of censorship laws; elections for, and regulation of, the Estates-General, and the opening of Estates-General at Versailles; popular movements, the collapse of the Estates-General and the taking of the Tennis Court Oath, the King’s decision to order the First and Second Estates to join the National Assembly, the mobilisation of troops around Paris, and the dismissal of Necker.
Area of Study 2: Consequences of revolution October 1789 to 1795
Weeks 9–10
The National Assembly Decree on Church Lands, the reformation of provincial governments, the release of the Assignat and the abolition of all noble ranks and titles; the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, the abolition of Parlements, the Oath to the Civil Constitution to the Clergy; at the roles and influence of individuals and the revolutionary experiences of different social and national groups.
Weeks 11–12
The abolition of all guilds and trade monopolies, and restoration of the status and privileges of the King; elections for the Legislative Assembly, the Declaration of Pilnitz, and Ratification of the Constitution of 1791, the abolition of slavery in France, and the convening and passing of orders relating to émigré, civil marriage and divorce and non-juring priests; the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly and formation of the National Convention.
Weeks 13–14
The roles and influence of Danton, Robespierre, Hebert, Marat, Brissot, and the revolutionary experiences of different social and national groups: Sans culottes, Jacobins, Girondins; historical interpretations and perspectives on the execution of King Louis XVI, the uprisings in the Vendee, the establishment of the Committee of Public Safety, the Law of Maximum, the Constitution of Year 1, the Law of Suspects, the execution of Marie Antoinette, the abolition of slavery in all French colonies, the Festival of the Supreme Being, the White Terror, and the repeal of the Law of Maximum.
Weeks 15–16
Efforts to reduce the level of revolutionary war in Europe leading to a series of Peace Treaties, the Bread riots in Paris, the Constitution of 1795, the end of the Thermidorian Convention with the dissolution of the Convention Year 111.
The Russian revolution of October 1917
Area of Study 1: Causes of revolution (1896 to October 1917)
Weeks 1–2
Introduction to the course: overview of areas of study, outcomes and assessment; discussion of the nature of ‘revolution’. Introduction to Tsarist Russia: society, economy, geography, political system; social grievances at start of the twentieth century, and the role of individuals, the formation, ideology and leadership of the Social Democrats, the Russo-Japanese War, Bloody Sunday, and the influence of ideas that played a significant role in challenging the existing order.
https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1908/mar/26b.htm
Weeks 3–4
The 1905 Revolution and the October Manifesto, and Fundamental laws and Pyotr Stolypin (repression and reforms); the role of the Dumas, World War One and its origins, initial reactions, economic impact, significant battles, political developments; the role of individuals: Grigori Rasputin, and the contribution of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra; the influence of significant ideas and the contribution of popular movements.
Weeks 5–6
The development and significance of events in the February Revolution; the consequences of Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication, the establishment of Provisional Government, the Petrograd Soviet and period of the Dual Authority; the ongoing impact of World War One and the April Crisis, and the influence of significant ideas and the contribution of popular movements.
Weeks 7–8
Lenin’s return and his April Theses, the June Offensive, the July Days, and the Kornilov Affair; the decline of Provisional Government prior to October days, and the events of the October Revolution; the roles of individuals and the ongoing influence of ideas.
Area of Study 2: Consequences of revolution October 1917 to 1927
Weeks 9–10
The creation of Sovnarkom, new decrees, immediate challenges post-October; examine the founding of the CHEKA, State Capitalism, the Constituent Assembly, and the ongoing roles and influence of Lenin, Trotsky, Dzerzhinsky, Kollontai, and the ongoing revolutionary experiences of different social groups.
Weeks 11–12
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the Civil War, the Polish-Soviet War and the Treaty of Riga; the Red Terror and War Communism, and ongoing roles and influence of Lenin, Trotsky, Dzerzhinsky, Kollontai, and the ongoing revolutionary experiences of different social groups and their responses to challenges and changes in everyday life.
Weeks 13–14
The impact of Civil War on everyday life and 1921 famine, the Kronstadt Uprising, and the NEP: policies, including the Tenth Party Congress; political oppression; women’s rights; education, Soviet art and culture; the ongoing roles and influence of Lenin, Trotsky, Dzerzhinsky, Kollontai, and the ongoing revolutionary experiences of different social and national groups.
Weeks 15–16
The results of the NEP, Lenin’s last years and legacy, and the ongoing roles and influence of Lenin, Trotsky, Dzerzhinsky, Kollontai.
