Paper 1 Section A/C: Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism

June 2022

Q1: How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about Rasputin?

Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.

Answer:

For example, Interpretation A says that Rasputin’s advice was trusted so much that he could influence the way the Tsarina governed Russia whereas Interpretation B says that he was only valued for his healing powers, not for his For example, Interpretation A says that Rasputin had a large influence on the Tsarina whereas Interpretation B says that he was not very important to her.

Q2: Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation

about Rasputin? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge.

Answer:

For example, Interpretation A is from Kerensky’s memoirs so he will be writing with his own reputation in mind. He may be trying to justify the March revolution by arguing that the Tsarina’s leadership of the Russian government was being badly influenced by Rasputin. The author of Interpretation B is an aristocrat writing a biography about the Tsarina after the Civil War and the Countess is bound to want to defend her friend’s reputation against the rumours that surrounded Rasputin’s role in the Palace. For example, Interpretation A is written by someone who supported the overthrow of the Romanovs in 1917 so he will not like Rasputin. Interpretation B was written by a close friend of the Tsarina and so she supports her friend.

Q3: Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about Rasputin?

Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B.

Answer:

For example, the interpretations reflect both sides of the debate about Rasputin’s influence. No one knows how far his opinions on government were taken seriously by the Romanovs. It is accepted that jealousy of his influence was a motive for his murder. Similarly, the view that the Romanovs were under his influence damaged their reputation even further and so Rasputin can be seen as a factor in the revolution of March 1917. For example, Interpretation A is more convincing because many aristocrats were alarmed by the influence of Rasputin over the Tsarina as she ran the country once the Tsar went to war. It was felt that she followed Rasputin’s advice about appointing ministers. A group of nobles assassinated Rasputin in 1916. Interpretation B is convincing because it says he was not a saint. He had a reputation for drinking too much. For example, Interpretation B is convincing because Rasputin seemed to have healing power. The Romanovs valued him because he seemed to be the only person that could help with their only son’s blood disease. For example, Interpretation A is convincing because there were rumours that Rasputin and the Tsarina were having an affair.

Q4: Describe two problems faced by the people of the USSR during the Terror.

Answer:

These might include, one problem was that Stalin used ‘Show Trials’ to remove his political opponents. The accused person was always found to be guilty. The ranks of officers in the Red Army were purged so extensively that it was weakened in the long term. Another problem was that Stalin extended the purges from senior politicians to affect all levels of society. Every family was affected by the unpredictable arrests and torture. This meant the whole population lived in fear. tortured so that they confessed to fake charges. People were executed or sent to labour camps indefinitely.

Q5: In what ways were the lives of people in the USSR affected by the Second World

War? Explain your answer.

Answer:

For example, the people of the USSR suffered great losses and hardship during the Second World War but they achieved a decisive victory over the Nazi invasion of their country. Many Soviet people were set free from Nazi rule. This strengthened loyalty to Stalin and the Communist party amongst the For example, factory workers were affected when Stalin ordered that factories and animals were to be moved to the East to protect them from the advancing German army. This caused tremendous hardship because people had to work for long hours in poor conditions with little food. However, their efforts meant that Soviet soldiers had the resources they needed to defeat the German army. For example, some nationalities living in within the USSR were affected because Stalin suspected that they may be Nazi sympathisers who hoped to be liberated from Soviet rule. To prevent this, Stalin ordered that they were to be forcibly relocated to remote parts of the USSR, far away from Western For example, people living in Stalingrad were affected by the battle in Stalingrad. Stalin did not let civilians evacuate and many died of starvation because food supplies were cut off. Soviet civilians, including women, fought alongside the army to defend the city. For example, millions of Soviet people died because the USSR was invaded by Nazi Germany. Towns, cities and farmland were destroyed by the fighting.

Q6: Which of the following saw more change as a result of Lenin’s policies:

• the way Russia was ruled and controlled • the economy of Russia? Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the CopyrightTeam.

Answer:

For example, during Lenin’s rule, the economy saw more change because there was a complete change in direction in 1921 when the NEP reintroduced capitalism in some sections of society instead of communism. This was only possible because the way Russia was ruled and controlled remained consistent. To ensure he stayed in control Lenin forcibly closed down the Constituent Assembly and ruled by issuing decrees that were passed by the Congress of Soviets. The decrees banned opposition parties and non- Bolshevik newspapers and this created a political dictatorship controlled by For example, Lenin’s policies created a communist dictatorship and banned opposition. However, the economic system saw more change once the Civil War was over. War Communism was replaced with the New Economic Policy in 1921 as a way of increasing food production. There had been widespread famine and food shortages during the Civil War so Lenin announced that instead of handing their crops over to the government, peasants could begin to sell any surplus grain for profit. Private trade for profit was also allowed. This was intended to be a temporary measure and the state retained control of For example, Lenin created a secret police force called the Cheka to crush political opposition. They hunted down anyone who was not loyal to the Communist government and killed them. For example, Lenin turned Russia into a Communist dictatorship. The government took over the land that had belonged to the Tsar and the nobles and gave it to peasants.