Activity Overview
The Russian Revolution was inspired by the Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx in 1848. Marx was writing in response to the social injustices that he witnessed as a result of the Industrial Revolution. When Lenin and the Bolsheviks began their revolution in 1917, they were unable to follow the blueprint described by Marx 70 years earlier.
Students will analyze how and why ideologies change when they are put into practice in a T-Chart. The left column identifies elements of a communist society the way Marx envisioned them. The right hand column will be student-created. This column will show how closely Stalin followed the original intent of Marx’s Communist Manifesto. In most cases, the theory and the practice were far apart.
Communist Ideologies to Analyze
- Society Without Classes
- Private Property is Eliminated
- Equality Between Genders
- Social Ownership of Production
- Role of Government
Extended Activity
This activity can be extended in a number of ways. Students could create a third column of cells about the realities of China under Mao. Students could also assess whether or not the changes that Lenin, Stalin, and Mao made to Marx’s original ideology were justified.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart comparing and contrasting the ideologies of communism and the way Marx's writings played out.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In one column, note the different ideologies Marx presents in the Communist Manifesto.
- In the other column, describe how Stalin followed those ideologies.
- Illustrate each cell with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison Analysis | Text and images include a clear explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics. These comparisons go beyond superficial elements and show strong understanding of the story elements. | Text and images include an explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics, but the explanation may lack clarity or show only superficial understanding in some squares. | Text and images may include no explanation of similarities and/or differences, or they may make only superficial or inaccurate comparisons. |
| Textual Explanation | The text clearly and accurately describes all the scenes and concepts depicted. | The text clearly and accurately describes most of the scenes and concepts depicted. | The text fails to describe most of the scenes clearly and accurately. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
Activity Overview
The Russian Revolution was inspired by the Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx in 1848. Marx was writing in response to the social injustices that he witnessed as a result of the Industrial Revolution. When Lenin and the Bolsheviks began their revolution in 1917, they were unable to follow the blueprint described by Marx 70 years earlier.
Students will analyze how and why ideologies change when they are put into practice in a T-Chart. The left column identifies elements of a communist society the way Marx envisioned them. The right hand column will be student-created. This column will show how closely Stalin followed the original intent of Marx’s Communist Manifesto. In most cases, the theory and the practice were far apart.
Communist Ideologies to Analyze
- Society Without Classes
- Private Property is Eliminated
- Equality Between Genders
- Social Ownership of Production
- Role of Government
Extended Activity
This activity can be extended in a number of ways. Students could create a third column of cells about the realities of China under Mao. Students could also assess whether or not the changes that Lenin, Stalin, and Mao made to Marx’s original ideology were justified.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart comparing and contrasting the ideologies of communism and the way Marx's writings played out.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In one column, note the different ideologies Marx presents in the Communist Manifesto.
- In the other column, describe how Stalin followed those ideologies.
- Illustrate each cell with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison Analysis | Text and images include a clear explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics. These comparisons go beyond superficial elements and show strong understanding of the story elements. | Text and images include an explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics, but the explanation may lack clarity or show only superficial understanding in some squares. | Text and images may include no explanation of similarities and/or differences, or they may make only superficial or inaccurate comparisons. |
| Textual Explanation | The text clearly and accurately describes all the scenes and concepts depicted. | The text clearly and accurately describes most of the scenes and concepts depicted. | The text fails to describe most of the scenes clearly and accurately. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
How Tos about Communism in Russia: Theory and Practice Comparison
Plan a Classroom Debate on Communism’s Theory vs. Practice
Encourage student engagement by organizing a classroom debate. Assign students to argue either the theory of communism as envisioned by Marx or the reality of its implementation in Russia under Stalin. This activity fosters critical thinking and helps students understand different perspectives.
Assign students to research primary sources for both perspectives
Have students use excerpts from the Communist Manifesto and firsthand accounts from Stalin’s era to support their arguments. This deepens their understanding and builds research skills.
Set clear rules and debate structure
Establish time limits for each speaker, create guidelines for respectful discussion, and outline how rebuttals will work. This ensures a fair, orderly, and productive debate.
Incorporate peer evaluation for reflection
Ask students to evaluate their classmates’ arguments and provide constructive feedback after the debate. This reflection helps students refine their critical analysis and communication skills.
Lead a debrief discussion to synthesize learning
Facilitate a whole-class conversation to summarize key insights from both sides and connect the debate to broader historical themes. This step reinforces understanding and encourages thoughtful connections.
Frequently Asked Questions about Communism in Russia: Theory and Practice Comparison
What is the difference between Marx's theory of communism and its practice in Russia under Stalin?
Marx's theory envisioned a classless, stateless society with shared ownership and true equality. In practice under Stalin, however, the Soviet Union maintained state control, significant government power, and did not fully eliminate class distinctions, resulting in major differences from Marx's original ideals.
How can students compare communist theory and practice using a T-Chart?
Students can use a T-Chart by listing Marx’s original communist ideologies on one side and describing how those ideas were implemented by Stalin on the other. This visual comparison helps highlight key similarities and differences between theory and practice.
What are key communist ideologies to analyze for a lesson on the Russian Revolution?
Important communist ideologies to examine include a classless society, elimination of private property, gender equality, social ownership of production, and the role of government. These points provide a basis for comparing theory and historical practice.
Why did the Russian Revolution not fully follow Marx's vision of communism?
The Russian Revolution faced unique challenges and historical circumstances, leading Lenin and Stalin to adapt Marx’s ideas. Economic hardship, political opposition, and the need for rapid industrialization caused significant deviations from Marx’s original vision.
What is an effective classroom activity to teach the differences between communist theory and practice?
An effective activity is having students create a T-Chart comparing Marx's communist theory with how it was applied by Stalin. Students can use illustrations and real examples to deepen understanding of the gaps and overlaps between the two.
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