The Real History of Communism

This two-part documentary series offers a definitive exploration of the Soviet Union, from its ideological origins and systemic expansion to its eventual fragmentation. Moving beyond basic chronologies, these curated clips analyse the profound tension between Marxist theory and the brutal reality of its implementation.

From the architectural repression of the Berlin Wall to the systemic failures exposed by the Chornobyl disaster, these materials are designed to help students critically evaluate the nature of government, the mechanics of command economies, and the human cost of totalitarian control.

Educational Resources

To support classroom learning, we have identified specific segments that align directly with key modules in the History GCSE and A-level curricula. We have identified certain modules for which these clips are relevant. However, our categorisation is not exhaustive, and videos can be used for other modules.

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  • The Cultural Revolution
    17/02/2026

    The Cultural Revolution

    Ideology & Terror: Red Guards & "Four Olds." Evaluating "Cult of Personality."

    Relevant for: GCSE & A Level (All)

  • The Great Famine
    17/02/2026

    The Great Famine

    Consequences: Evidence for "Impact of Collectivisation." Links to Lysenkoism theories.

    Relevant for: A Level (AQA/Edexcel)

  • Mao's First Five Year Plan & The Great Leap Forward
    • 17/02/2026

    Mao's First Five Year Plan & The Great Leap Forward

    Comparative Economics: Contrasts the success of the 1st Five-Year Plan (Soviet model) with the ideological shift of the Great Leap Forward.

  • Consolidation of Mao's Power
    • 17/02/2026

    Consolidation of Mao's Power

    Consolidation: 1949 Power Struggle & early purges. Essential for "How Mao stayed in power" essays.

  • Gorbachev & The End of History
    • 13/02/2026

    Gorbachev & The End of History

    1989-1991: Summarises Glasnost, Perestroika, and the August Coup. The ultimate "conclusion" clip for the entire course.

  • The Brezhnev Stagnation
    • 13/02/2026

    The Brezhnev Stagnation

    Era of Stagnation: Explains the lack of innovation and the "shadow economy." Vital for the "1953–1985" government breadth study.

  • The Berlin Wall
    • 13/02/2026

    The Berlin Wall

    Cold War Relations: Focuses on the "Brain Drain" and the Wall as a physical symbol of ideological failure.

  • Terror
    • 13/02/2026

    Terror

    Control: How the KGB/NKVD maintained order. Ideal for GCSE questions on "How did Stalin keep control of the USSR?"

  • Holodomyr
    • 13/02/2026

    Holodomyr

    Collectivisation: A harrowing case study on the human cost of agricultural reform. Crucial for "Social Developments" units.

  • The Gulag
    • 13/02/2026

    The Gulag

    Repression: Moves beyond "prison" to show the Gulag as an economic tool. Key for OCR "Nature of Government" depth studies.

  • Stalin's Command Economy
    • 13/02/2026

    Stalin's Command Economy

    Economic Modernisation: Perfect for comparing "Tsarist backwardness" vs. "Communist industrialisation" targets.

  • Lenin's Consolidation of Power
    • 13/02/2026

    Lenin's Consolidation of Power

    The 1917 Revolutions: Explains the Bolshevik seizure of power and the early decrees on "Peace, Bread, and Land."

  • Communist Ideology
    • 29/08/2025

    Communist Ideology

    Ideology: Defining the "stages" of communism. Essential for A Level essays on the role of ideology in shaping the Soviet state.

The Real History of Communism

The Real History of Communism is available to watch online in full.