UNIT 6 – WHY DO
SOCIETIES EXPERIENCE
REVOLUTION?
GRADE 8
MS. MERNA
UNIT AT A GLANCE
Key concept: Change In this chapter we will..
Related Concept: Causality; Significance Find out about the reasons why
societies experience revolution and the
Global context: Orientation in space and time different types that can occur.
Explore examples of revolutions in
Russia and China with a focus on their
Statement of Inquiry:
causes and consequences.
At different times and locations, societies can
experience revolutionary change, due to a
variety of causes and often with long lasting
consequences.
WHAT IS A REVOLUTION?
• A revolution takes place when people decide to change something
about society, when they want to see a complete change and move in
a new direction.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=856kcVieUgU
• Carnation Revolution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVNQd4zjvKU
Rebellion vs. Revolution?
A stand against authority that’s often violent and rarely successful
TYPES OF REVOLUTION
• Political
• Groups of people acting to remove the existing government in a country
• Social
• Mass movements to bring about some form of social change to a society
• Technological/Industrial
• Technological advances that create change in society
• Cultural
• Change the identity of culture in society
• Religious
• People either reject or embrace the role of religion in society
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
• Before the 1917 revolution, Russia was under a monarchy ruled by Tsars.
• Feudal Empire – Hierarchical system where power was based on land ownership and position
in society
• 1905 Revolution
• Sunday, 22 January of 1905. More than 3,000 people marched towards the Winter Palace to Tsar
Nicholas II to show him a petition for reform. But he was not home that day. When he heard about the
petition, he became worried (his family had a history of being assassinated) and so the army shot
their rifles into the crowd, leaving more than 100 dead and 300 wounded.
• The manifesto promised the formation of a State Duma: A national parliament, elected by the people
of Russia, to participate in the formulation and passing of laws. It also outlined improvements to
individual rights and freedoms.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj84BRMe-Us
IMPACT OF WW1 AND FEBRUARY REVOLUTION
• 1914 – Russia declares war on Austria- • February 1917 revolution – people lost
Hungary and Germany faith in the monarchy
• Soldiers suffered and economy dropped • Result: Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and
significantly end of the Russian monarchy
• Grigori Rasputin (mystic and spiritual • Autocratic powers: form of government
healer) which one ruler has absolute control
• Tsarina Alexandra relied on Rasputin for
• Octobrists: conservative political party
spiritual guidance and advice on political
matters, which gave him significant power • Kadets: Liberal political party
and influence over the royal family. • Bolsheviks: led by leftist Vladimir Lenin,
• Days That Shook The World: Russia's Two Re seized power. They would later become the
volutions of 1917 (youtube.com) Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
OCTOBER REVOLUTION AND CONSEQUENCES
• In 1917, Bolshevik party took control of Russia and renamed
themselves the Communists
• The Russian Civil War winners were the Communists and they changed
the name to Soviet Union. This lasted until 1991 as they were defeated
by America and its allies that were against communism.
• Impact: Communist ideology spread into other parts of the world such
as Eastern Europe, China, Cuba and Vietnam.
PROPAGANDA
• Propaganda is used by political groups to spread influence and
messages (political advertising).
• Film, posters, music, art, poetry, radio broadcasts and more.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_67x66E6Kuo
CHINESE REVOLUTION – CAUSES AND
CONSEQUENCES
• Middle Kingdom – various dynasties ruling China
• 19th century – Qing Dynasty led by Manchus
• European colonialism
• Opium Wars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f32MPPBJOjU
• Concessions – Things that are granted to people, e.g. tax breaks or improved wages
• Rebellions
• Taiping Rebellion – massive revolt against the Qinq dynasty
• Boxer Rebellion
REFORM MOVEMENTS AND POLITICAL
GROUPS
• Self-Strengthening movement – strengthen china by having new
technologies and infrastructure
• Tongmenhui – secret society and underground movement which goal
was to overthrow Qinq dynasty
• Guomindang – eventually took power over China
THE XINHAI REVOLUTION 1911
• Wuchang Uprising – overthrew the Qing dynasty
• Cause: Qing government’s plans to nationalize the railways, which would
give control of these networks to foreign banks.
• The Fall of the Qing Dynasty (youtube.com)
