Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
HISTORY 9489/11
HISTORY 9489/11
Paper 1 Document question May/June 2026
Paper 1 Document Question May/June 2026
MARK SCHEME
1 hour 15 minutes
Maximum Mark: 40
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer one question from one section only.
Section A: European option
Section B: American option This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
Section C: International option
*
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper, Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
INFORMATION component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● The total mark for this paper is 40. the standardisation process.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 8 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (SL/TC) 358561/3 This document consists of 15 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9489/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Answer one question from one section only. General marking principles
Section A: European option All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
The Russian Revolution, 1894–1921 1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
1 Read the sources and then answer both parts of the question. • the specific content defined in the mark scheme
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
Source A
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
The All-Russian Extraordinary Commission (Cheka) was formed on 20 December 1917. The 2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
Soviet government was being attacked on all sides. The Kadets and the old army officers
started one uprising after another with the intention of taking power from the hands of the 3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
Soviets. The Mensheviks and the Right Social Revolutionaries employed all kinds of weapons
in waging a continuous war against the government. Profiteers took advantage of the difficult • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
situation of the country to carry on their illegal trade. At the same time, German troops were • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for
advancing. Only strong measures could save the situation and these were taken by the Soviet of other valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme
People’s Commissars. referring to your team leader as appropriate
• the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme
It was necessary to create an organisation that would protect the rear of the Red Army and indicates that these features are specifically assessed in the question. However, the
permit peaceful development of the Soviet government. The Commission, led by Dzerzhinsky, meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
saw its duties as to prevent counter-revolution and sabotage in Russia. Enemies needed to know
that everywhere there was a seeing eye and a heavy hand ready to come down the moment they 4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for
did anything against the Soviet government. what to do when candidates have not followed instructions correctly.
From an account written in 1920 by a Bolshevik who was a senior state security officer in 5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by
the Cheka. the quality of the candidate responses seen.
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with
Source B grade thresholds or grade descriptions in mind.
A poster published in the Soviet Union by the Provincial Emergency Commission on the
Elimination of Illiteracy in 1921. The caption reads, ‘Long live the sun. May the darkness
disappear’, a quotation from the work of a famous nineteenth-century Russian poet and writer.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9489/11/M/J/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 15
HISTORY 9489/11
HISTORY 9489/11
Paper 1 Document question May/June 2026
Paper 1 Document Question May/June 2026
MARK SCHEME
1 hour 15 minutes
Maximum Mark: 40
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer one question from one section only.
Section A: European option
Section B: American option This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
Section C: International option
*
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper, Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
INFORMATION component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● The total mark for this paper is 40. the standardisation process.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 8 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (SL/TC) 358561/3 This document consists of 15 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9489/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Answer one question from one section only. General marking principles
Section A: European option All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
The Russian Revolution, 1894–1921 1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
1 Read the sources and then answer both parts of the question. • the specific content defined in the mark scheme
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
Source A
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
The All-Russian Extraordinary Commission (Cheka) was formed on 20 December 1917. The 2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
Soviet government was being attacked on all sides. The Kadets and the old army officers
started one uprising after another with the intention of taking power from the hands of the 3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
Soviets. The Mensheviks and the Right Social Revolutionaries employed all kinds of weapons
in waging a continuous war against the government. Profiteers took advantage of the difficult • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
situation of the country to carry on their illegal trade. At the same time, German troops were • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for
advancing. Only strong measures could save the situation and these were taken by the Soviet of other valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme
People’s Commissars. referring to your team leader as appropriate
• the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme
It was necessary to create an organisation that would protect the rear of the Red Army and indicates that these features are specifically assessed in the question. However, the
permit peaceful development of the Soviet government. The Commission, led by Dzerzhinsky, meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
saw its duties as to prevent counter-revolution and sabotage in Russia. Enemies needed to know
that everywhere there was a seeing eye and a heavy hand ready to come down the moment they 4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for
did anything against the Soviet government. what to do when candidates have not followed instructions correctly.
From an account written in 1920 by a Bolshevik who was a senior state security officer in 5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by
the Cheka. the quality of the candidate responses seen.
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with
Source B grade thresholds or grade descriptions in mind.
A poster published in the Soviet Union by the Provincial Emergency Commission on the
Elimination of Illiteracy in 1921. The caption reads, ‘Long live the sun. May the darkness
disappear’, a quotation from the work of a famous nineteenth-century Russian poet and writer.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9489/11/M/J/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 15
