2024 AQA A-level HISTORY Component 1E Russia in the Age of
Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682– 1796 MAY Question Paper and
Mark Scheme MERGED
A-level
HISTORY
Component 1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment,
1682– 1796
Thursday 23 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference
is 7042/1E.
Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
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:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
,IB/M/Jun24/E4 7042/1E
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
The question of the succession to the Russian throne remained an issue throughout
Catherine’s entire adult life. In one form or another it complicated or confused much of
her government. It would not go away. It would not be solved. From the moment
Catherine seized power, she periodically had to contend with various plots against her
authority. These posed two distinct dangers. Firstly, conspiracies among the elite that 5
aimed at a new palace revolution. Secondly, stirrings among frontier communities in
defence of local autonomy against the centralising policies of the expansive absolutist
state. The worst political nightmare for the Empress, the most threatening prospect,
would have combined the two different types of revolt into a regional or mass movement
with elite leadership. Behind the gracious, confident façade that Catherine presented in 10
public, she often worried about bizarre plots, strains on society, and speculation about
Paul’s political rights. Doubly disturbing was the fact that many incidents invoked the
names of Peter III and Paul.
Adapted from JT Alexander, Catherine the Great, 1989
Extract B
From her seizure of power, Catherine considered herself to be autocrat of all Russia,
whatever the flimsiness of her right to the title. The new Empress quickly set about the
task of consolidating her position on the throne. One obstacle was Ivan VI, still alive two
decades after his overthrow, but murdered in 1764, with her encouragement. Discontent
was reflected in the announcement, on more than 20 occasions, of a return to life of the 5
murdered Peter III. Since his death, Peter III had been transformed into a symbol of
justice, most notably by a Don Cossack named Pugachev. By 1774 Pugachev’s name
was enough to strike terror in Moscow and the surrounding provinces. This persuaded
the government to send its best military leaders to suppress the movement before it
could succeed in reversing the natural order of society. Pugachev was executed at the 10
beginning of 1775. However, the name of Pugachev lived on in the songs and legends of
the peasants, tribesmen and Cossacks.
Adapted from P Dukes, The Making of Russian Absolutism 1603–1801, 1990
IB/M/Jun24/7042/1E
Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682– 1796 MAY Question Paper and
Mark Scheme MERGED
A-level
HISTORY
Component 1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment,
1682– 1796
Thursday 23 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference
is 7042/1E.
Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
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:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
,IB/M/Jun24/E4 7042/1E
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
The question of the succession to the Russian throne remained an issue throughout
Catherine’s entire adult life. In one form or another it complicated or confused much of
her government. It would not go away. It would not be solved. From the moment
Catherine seized power, she periodically had to contend with various plots against her
authority. These posed two distinct dangers. Firstly, conspiracies among the elite that 5
aimed at a new palace revolution. Secondly, stirrings among frontier communities in
defence of local autonomy against the centralising policies of the expansive absolutist
state. The worst political nightmare for the Empress, the most threatening prospect,
would have combined the two different types of revolt into a regional or mass movement
with elite leadership. Behind the gracious, confident façade that Catherine presented in 10
public, she often worried about bizarre plots, strains on society, and speculation about
Paul’s political rights. Doubly disturbing was the fact that many incidents invoked the
names of Peter III and Paul.
Adapted from JT Alexander, Catherine the Great, 1989
Extract B
From her seizure of power, Catherine considered herself to be autocrat of all Russia,
whatever the flimsiness of her right to the title. The new Empress quickly set about the
task of consolidating her position on the throne. One obstacle was Ivan VI, still alive two
decades after his overthrow, but murdered in 1764, with her encouragement. Discontent
was reflected in the announcement, on more than 20 occasions, of a return to life of the 5
murdered Peter III. Since his death, Peter III had been transformed into a symbol of
justice, most notably by a Don Cossack named Pugachev. By 1774 Pugachev’s name
was enough to strike terror in Moscow and the surrounding provinces. This persuaded
the government to send its best military leaders to suppress the movement before it
could succeed in reversing the natural order of society. Pugachev was executed at the 10
beginning of 1775. However, the name of Pugachev lived on in the songs and legends of
the peasants, tribesmen and Cossacks.
Adapted from P Dukes, The Making of Russian Absolutism 1603–1801, 1990
IB/M/Jun24/7042/1E
