AQA_2024: AS History - Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953 Component 2N: The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin, 1917–1929 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)

AQA_2024: AS History - Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953 Component 2N: The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin, 1917–1929 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) AS HISTORY Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953 Component 2N The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin, 1917–1929 Monday 20 May 2024 Materials For this paper you must have:  an AQA 16-page answer book. Instructions Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes  Use black ink or black ball-point pen.  Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7041/2N.  Answer two questions. In Section A answer Question 01. In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Information  The marks for questions are shown in brackets.  The maximum mark for this paper is 50.  You will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. Advice  You are advised to spend about: – 50 minutes on Section A – 40 minutes on Section B. For AS History: Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953, Component 2N: The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin, 1917–1929, focus on the following key areas: 1. The Russian Revolution (1917):  February Revolution: Understand the causes of the February Revolution, including discontent with Tsar Nicholas II’s leadership, economic hardship, and the impact of World War I. This led to the abdication of the Tsar and the establishment of a Provisional Government.  Dual Power: Study the Dual Power system, where the Provisional Government coexisted with the Soviets (workers' councils). Focus on the conflict between these two bodies and the inability of the Provisional Government to address key issues like land reform and peace.  October Revolution: Examine how the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, capitalized on the discontent with the Provisional Government to launch the October Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the government and the establishment of Bolshevik rule. 2. Bolshevik Consolidation of Power (1917–1918):  Bolshevik Policies: Study the early Bolshevik policies, such as peace, land, and bread. Look into the Decrees on Land and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918), which withdrew Russia from World War I but ceded large areas of territory to Germany.  Civil War (1918–1921): Focus on the causes and key events of the Russian Civil War between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (counter-revolutionary forces), and how the Bolsheviks, under Trotsky's leadership, eventually secured victory. Understand the role of war communism and the Cheka in maintaining Bolshevik control. 3. War Communism and the New Economic Policy (NEP):  War Communism (1918–1921): Study the harsh policies of War Communism, including the nationalization of industry, forced grain requisitioning from peasants, and the creation of a centralized economy to support the war effort.  The NEP (1921): After the Civil War, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) to revive the economy, allowing limited private trade and small-scale private enterprise. Understand the reasons for the NEP and its economic and social impacts, including the Kulaks’ (wealthy peasants) increased influence. 4. Lenin’s Death and the Power Struggle:  Lenin’s Health Decline and Death (1924): Understand the political situation following Lenin’s declining health and his eventual death. His absence triggered a power struggle among leading Bolsheviks.  Lenin’s Testament: Study the Testament of Lenin, in which Lenin critiqued several prominent Bolshevik leaders, including Stalin, and called for a collective leadership to avoid the concentration of power in one individual. 5. The Rise of Stalin:  Stalin’s Early Career: Study Stalin’s role in the revolution and Civil War, his position as General Secretary of the Communist Party, and how he used this position to build a loyal base of support among lower-ranking party members.  Defeat of Rivals: Examine the tactics Stalin used to defeat his rivals in the power struggle after Lenin’s death. Focus on his rivalry with Trotsky, who was seen as the most likely successor, and how Stalin maneuvered politically to outmaneuver him. 7041/2N IB/M/Jun24/G4002/E4 2 Section A Answer Question 01. Source A From a speech to the Moscow Soviet by Lenin, 6 March 1920. This was subsequently published in the party magazine, ‘Communist International’. Comrades, a year has passed since the founding of Comintern. During this year it has been successful beyond all expectations. In Western Europe, revolution is developing slowly but we can be sure it will come. All workers can see that another war like the last is inevitable if the imperialists and the bourgeoisie remain in power. The Western capitalists do not know what to say. They began by declaring that the Bolsheviks were violators of all the laws of God and man; they would not talk or make peace with us. Then they started to say they might trade with us but would not recognise us. Such confusion only adds to the strength of the Communist movement. 5 Source B From articles published in official government newspapers by Trotsky, summer 1922. Trotsky summarises his response to questions posed by foreign journalists. Western leaders fail to understand that the Russian workers’ revolution has opened up a new era in world history. In 1921, the US President rejected a Soviet approach advocating trade relations. Instead, he tried to dictate to us the form of government our country should adopt. When we proposed disarmament at the Genoa conference, we were met with refusal. Instead, the West proposed that we paid enormous sums to foreign capitalists whose wealth had been gained by exploiting Russian workers. For the present we intend to wait. Europe and the world need Russia and economic necessity will eventually force a change in attitude. We are advancing steadily and firmly and we can ignore the changing moods of foreign capitalists. 5 0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which of these two sources is more valuable in explaining Russia’s relationship with the West in the years 1920 to 1922? [25 marks] IB/M/Jun24/7041/2N 3 Section B Answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Either 0 2 ‘The revolution in Russia in February/March 1917 was more the result of economic problems than the failings of Tsar Nicholas II.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] or 0 3 ‘The main reason why Stalin made the ‘Great Turn’ was to win the power struggle.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] END OF QUESTIONS IB/M/Jun24/7041/2N 4 There are no questions printed on