From Autocracy to Communism: Russia 1894-1941: Access to History:

Summary:
The Access to History series is the most popular and trusted series for AS and A level history students. The new editions combine all the strengths of this well-loved series with a new design and features that allow all students access to the content and study skills needed to achieve exam success.

This title draws on content from the bestselling titles 'Reaction and Revolution: Russia 1894–1924' and 'Bolshevik and Stalinist Russia 1918–56'. It has been completely revised and updated to match the 2008 OCR AS specification and is now focused on the period from 1894–1941. It begins with the situation in Russia under Tsar Nicholas II and then goes on to examine the causes and effects of the 1905 and 1917 revolutions, the Bolshevik struggle to gain power, and the eventual rise of Stalin. The political, economic and social developments through this period and the effects of these are explored and analysed throughout.

Throughout the book, key dates, terms and issues are highlighted, and historical interpretations of key debates are outlined. Summary diagrams are included to consolidate knowledge and understanding of the period, and exam-style questions and tips written by an examiner for the OCR specification provide the opportunity to develop exam skills.

• Revised edition for the requirements of the 2008 OCR AS specifications.
• Study guides written by examiners contain exercises and advice on tackling differentiated exam questions for AS Level.
• Contains the latest historical interpretations of themes and issues.
• Features include: points to consider, key issues and key dates.
• Features such as key definitions and questions to aid learning.
• More support with assessment and exam skills.
• Designed to allow greater accessibility to a wide range of AS students.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 - Late Imperial Russia, 1894-1905
Character of the Tsarist State
The Problem of Reform in Imperial Russia
Economic Reform under Witte, 1893-1903
The Opponents of Tsardom
The Russo-Japanese War, 1904-5
Study Guide
Chapter 2 - The 1905 Revolution and Its Aftermath
The 1905 Revolution
Stolypin and Land Reform
The Russian Economy After Witte 1903-14
The Dumas, 1906-14
Growing Tensions in Russia 1911-14
The Key Debate
Study Guide
Chapter 3 - War and Revolution, 1914-17
Russia's Entry into the First World War: Long-Term Reasons
Russia's Entry into the First World War: Short-Term Reasons
Russia at War
The Growth of Opposition to Tsardom
The February Revolution
The Key Debate: Why Did the Tsarist System Collapse in February 1917?
Study Guide
Chapter 4 - 1917: The October Revolution
The Dual Authority
The Bolsheviks Return
The Provisional Government and Its Problems
The October Revolution
Reasons for Bolshevik Success
Study Guide
Chapter 5 - The Bolsheviks in Power 1917-20
The Problems Confronting the Bolsheviks
Dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, January 1918
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk 1918
The Russian Civil War 1918-20
The Foreign Interventions, 1918-20
Study Guide
Chapter 6 - Lenin's Revolution, 1917-24
The Red Terror
War Communism, 1918-21
The Krondstadt Rising, 1921
The New Economic Policy (NEP)
The Shaping of a Soviet Society under Lenin
Lenin's Role as a Revolutionary
Interpreting the Russian Revolution
Study Guide
Chapter 7 - Stalin's Rise to Power, 1924-9
Lenin and Stalin
The Power Struggle after Lenin's Death
The Defeat of Trotsky and the Left
The Defeat of the Right
Study Guide
Chapter 8 - Stalin and the Soviet Economy
Stalin's Economic Aims
Collectivisation
Industrialisation
The Key Debate
Study Guide
Chapter 9 - Stalin's Terror State
The Early Purges
The Post-Kirov Purges, 1934-6
The Great Purge, 1936-9
The Purges as a Study in Stalin's Use of Power
Study Guide
Chapter 10 - Stalin and Stalinism, 1924-41
Soviet Culture
Stalin's Cult of Personality
Education
Health
Religion
Women and the Family
Stalin's Record
Study Guide
Glossary
Index

About the Author(s):
Modern History Lecturer Leicester University; Best-selling Access To History author