Russia is a powerful place

Key questions

What do we know about Russian culture?

What was the Cold War?

How has the Russian territory changed over time?

What different kinds of geopolitical influence can one country have over others?

What are ‘hard power’ and ‘soft power’?

What happened in Ukraine in 2014?

What is a satellite state?

Starter

From Russia With Love 

The introductory PowerPoint gives an introduction to the history and culture of Russia, with reference to ways in which it has ‘gone global’ over time. From Russian ballet to Faberge eggs, Russian culture is well-known. Ask students to come up with their own suggestions.

The PowerPoint presentation also shows how the Cold War influenced popular culture (James Bond, the space race, etc). This provides a valuable opportunity to find out how much they know about the way Russia formed the Soviet Union in 1918, which later collapsed in 1991.     

Main Activity 

Mapping Russian power and influence  

In the main activity, students will be making use of a variety of maps, in order to look for signs of continuity and change in the geopolitical map of Eurasia. They will require an atlas to complete the series of classroom exercises, which can be assessed and graded.

Russia’s boundaries - and name - have changed three significant times since the 1700s, with important effects for its neighbour states, most recently Ukraine. Some would argue that throughout history, Russia has surrounded itself with satellite states in order to build a ‘buffer zone’ between Europe and Russia.

• Students will need to be given four printed A4 sheets. Atlases should also be provided

• Using all of the resources (‘Russian revolutions’ PowerPoint is also provided for the main activity), teacher and students will together analyse the extent of (i) the Russian Empire pre-1917 (ii) the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War (iii) Russia’s main trading partners today (including the Eurasian Economic Union).

• Both change and continuity become evident.

• A brief account is also provided in the teacher’s notes of Russian intervention in Ukraine in 2014 and what it tells us about Russia’s continuing influence on its satellite states. This can be used if time allows.

As a learning outcome, students should therefore understand that Russia has been characterised in varying ways over time. Firstly, as a great Imperial power, then as a Cold War superpower, and most recently as one of the BRIC group of economies. This has led to changes in how its boundaries have been drawn in different time periods.

A country outline quiz is also included with the main activity PowerPoint, if time allows.

Plenary

Russian London  

Other locations around the world have been impacted on by Russian wealth, power and influence, most recently London.

As a lively plenary, a PowerPoint is provided which gives a brief ‘who’s who’ of famous Russians living in London and how they have influenced life there (pushing up property prices and buying football clubs!)