Course Resources Archive

This module introduces students to the study of American and Russian history in the modern period and to key historiographical debates in both areas. While the US element focuses on changing ideas of democracy, liberty, slavery and freedom in response to economic and social change, the Russian element examines some similar concerns in the late imperial period and looks at the historiography of the Russian revolutions. Film, visual and audio materials form part of the study.

This module examines the rise of US democracy from the eighteenth century and the collapse of autocracy in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The module examines the founding principles of the American political system as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and translated into practise in the American Constitution.  It explores the way in which ideas of liberty and freedom developed and became contested as a consequence of the spread of slavery, the beginnings of industrialisation, immigration, and westward expansion and growing sectional conflict in the period from the late-1700s through to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.

It also examines the long term impact of Russia’s modernisation drive from 1861: the outcomes of the reforms introduced by Alexander II (including the emancipation of the serfs); the social and economic impact of agricultural reform and industrial development through to 1914; and the rise of the revolutionary movements, including the role played by women in these. Our study then moves to a close examination of the historiographical debates dealing with the Russian revolutions of 1917. The final part of the module examines the entrenchment of Bolshevik autocracy, the Russian Civil War, war communism and the final challenge to the new regime presented by the Kronstadt rebellion of 1921.

During the module, use is made of a variety of visual materials, including visual representations of the West and Native Americans, Eisenstein’s films Battleship Potemkin and Oktober, and political posters.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of American and Russian history in the periods 1776-1865 and 1861–1921 respectively
2. Demonstrate familiarity with the historiographical debates central to an understanding of the issue of slavery in the USA and the Russian revolutions
3. Demonstrate an awareness of the complexity of interactions between economic growth and social and political change
4. Evaluate primary source materials (including texts and visual materials)
5. Analyse historical documents
6. Communicate clearly in written form and verbally

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.