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History 377: RUSSIA to 1900

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WORKSHEET 3: Readings on the Time of Troubles

Please type your responses to these questions to turn in. 

Questions on “A German Merchant’s Account of Famine in Russia”:

1. According to the author of this account, what is the impact on the population of the famine that struck Russia in the early 1600s?

2. How did the ruler at the time, Boris Godunov, respond to the famine and how effective was his response?

3. According to the author, why does Godunov turn away the ships of German merchants with grain supplies and not allow them to sell grain directly to the people?

Questions on “Who was Tsar Dmitrii?” by Chester Dunning:

1. Write out the thesis of this article and then rewrite it in your own words—what argument is the author trying to make?

2. What sources does the author use to make his argument?  Identify specific materials.

3. Assess the author’s argument—do you find his case convincing?  Why or why not?

Questions on “An English Account of the Bolotnikov Uprising”:

1. According to the author of this eyewitness account, how did the rebels try to persuade the people of Moscow to join them?

2. Why does he say the rebellion failed?