Alabama Social Studies SS24.WH.7b

Social Studies9th GradeRise of Imperialism and World War I

The Standard

SS24.WH.7: Explain causes and consequences of World War I, including imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and the alliance system.

Describe the rise of the Bolsheviks and Soviet ideology in Russia during and after World War I.

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students trace how war losses, hunger, and the Provisional Government's choice to keep fighting helped Lenin's Bolsheviks gain support. They explain the Bolshevik takeover in 1917 and Russia's exit from the war. They describe the push for public ownership and the growth of one-party rule.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can put the tsar's fall, the Bolshevik takeover, and Russia's exit from the war in order. They can explain why “Peace, Land, Bread” appealed to Russians and how Bolshevik rule differed from its promise of power for workers.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think Lenin took power directly from the tsar, rather than from the Provisional Government. Some assume Russia stayed in the war after the Bolshevik takeover, or that public ownership meant every worker had a say in government.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, ask: “Why did the Bolsheviks gain support in 1917? Name one wartime problem, one Bolshevik promise, and one change they made after taking power.”

Lesson moves

Give pairs dated event cards, from wartime food shortages to the Soviet Union's founding, and have them build a timeline with cause arrows.
Ask students to write two sentences explaining why “Peace, Land, Bread” might appeal to a Russian soldier or farmer in 1917.
Play a matching game with cards naming wartime problems, Bolshevik promises, and actions such as leaving the war.
Hand out a sample election flyer beside “Peace, Land, Bread”; have students highlight each promise and the problem it addresses.

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