1. According to Marx, what are the requirements for a proletarian revolution?

2. In what ways was Russia's working class similar to the working class in England, France, and Germany? e.g defensive class consciousness (England); unorganized and decentralized (France); "alternative culture," "state within a state" (Germany); class in itself, class for itself; Katznelson's levels - physical presence of the class; associations and linkages; dispositions; action. Name some examples in Russia's case for each of these levels.

3. In what ways was Russia's working-class experience different from that in England, France, and Germany?

a. legal status
b. level of economic development
c. nature of economic development (large factories? small shops?)
d. state power
e. political ideologies
f. expectations
g. religious traditions
h. family structures
i. alternative cultures

4. World War I was a critical element in catalyzing the collapse of the tsarist regime. All four of these countries engaged in the war. Perhaps we should look to Russia's conduct of the war for explanations about the revolution.

5. Lenin figures largely in many interpretations of the Russian revolution. Perhaps we should look to the power of his personality and will as the explanation for Russia's exceptional revolution. I.e. maybe Russian workers were no different, but the Germans didn't have a Lenin.