The making of modern Russia

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing the way in which the Bolsheviks came to power in Russia in October 1917 and the immediate priorities of the new government.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

3 ‘Repression was more effective than reform in dealing with the unrest in Russia in the years 1905–06.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

How accurate is it to say that Khrushchev’s reforms to the Soviet system, in the years 1956–61, were completely successful?

7 ‘In the years 1855–1991, communist governments were the most effective at improving the condition of the peasantry.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

8 ‘The drive to modernise under Stalin was the key turning point in attempts to boost agricultural productivity in Russia in the years 1855–1979.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing Khrushchev’s criticisms of Stalin at the Twentieth Party Congress in 1956 and the aims of de-Stalinisation.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

How accurate is it to say that the reform of the army was the most significant of all the political reforms undertaken by Alexander II in the years 1855–70?

To what extent was the collapse of Soviet communism in 1991 due to factors beyond Gorbachev’s control?

7 ‘In the years 1855–1979, the introduction of the NEP was the most significant action taken by government to improve the status and condition of the Russian peasantry.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

To what extent were food shortages in Russia, in the years 1861–1979, a consequence of the failure of government agricultural policy?

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing the significance of the changes introduced by the October Manifesto and the attitude of Nicholas II towards these changes.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

How far was the failure of the Provisional government a consequence of its decision to continue Russia’s participation in the First World War?

To what extent was economic stagnation in the USSR the reason for the introduction of Gorbachev’s reform programme?

7 ‘The most significant cause of peasants leaving the land, in the years 1855–1972, was action taken by Russian governments.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

8 ‘Of all the initiatives taken by Russian governments to improve agricultural production, in the years 1861–1991, collectivisation was the greatest failure.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing the changes introduced in the USSR following the Twentieth Party Congress (1956) and the strength of the opposition to these changes in the Communist Party.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

3 ‘The reforms of Alexander II did little to change the political system in Russia in the years 1855–70.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

To what extent was Boris Yeltsin responsible for the failure of Gorbachev’s attempts to modernise the USSR in the years 1985–91?

How significant was the concession of peasant plots (1932) in attempts to improve the condition of the peasantry in the years 1855–1991?

8 ‘The import of western grain (1972–79) was the most important turning point in attempts by Russian governments to feed the people in the years 1861–1991.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing the reasons for Alexander II’s introduction of legal reforms in Russia in 1864 and the changes proposed by the reforms to the operation of the legal system.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

To what extent was the impact of the Russo-Japanese war responsible for the unrest in Russia in the years 1905–06?

How significant were Nicholas II’s personal failings in the fall of Tsardom in February 1917?

7 ‘In the years 1855–1979, the most successful attempts by government to improve the status and condition of the peasantry came under the Tsars.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

How accurate is to say that the initiatives introduced by Khrushchev were the most significant attempts to improve the productivity of Russian agriculture in the years 1861–1991?

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing the scale of the alcohol problem in the 1980s and its impact on the USSR.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing the scale of the alcohol problem in the 1980s and its impact on the USSR.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

How accurate is it to say that Tsar Alexander II did little to encourage greater freedom of expression in Russia in the years 1855–70?

How accurate is it to say that Tsar Alexander II did little to encourage greater freedom of expression in Russia in the years 1855–70?

4 ‘Khrushchev’s reforms to the Soviet system, in the years 1956–61, were introduced largely to help secure his own position as leader of the USSR.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

4 ‘Khrushchev’s reforms to the Soviet system, in the years 1956–61, were introduced largely to help secure his own position as leader of the USSR.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

7 ‘The move towards larger state farms after 1945 caused the greatest damage to the status and condition of the Russian peasantry in the years 1861–1991.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

7 ‘The move towards larger state farms after 1945 caused the greatest damage to the status and condition of the Russian peasantry in the years 1861–1991.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

8 ‘Russian leaders deserve great credit for their attempts to provide sufficient food to feed the population in the years 1861–1979.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

8 ‘Russian leaders deserve great credit for their attempts to provide sufficient food to feed the population in the years 1861–1979.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing the influence of Rasputin in Russia during the First World War and the reasons for the weakening of Tsar Nicholas II’s position on the throne.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

How accurate it is to say that Khrushchev significantly increased the freedom of the people of Soviet Russia in the years 1956-61?

4 ‘The major cause of the downfall of Soviet communism by 1991 was the impact of the Afghanistan war.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

7 ‘Stolypin’s reforms (1906-11) were more successful than all other attempts to improve the condition of the peasantry in the years 1861-1991.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

How significant were the policies introduced by Stalin in attempts to boost agricultural productivity in Russia in the years 1861-1991?

Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.

Assess the value of the source for revealing the reasons for discontent among industrial workers in Russia in 1905 and their attitude towards the Tsar.

Explain your answer, using the source, the information given about its origin and your own knowledge about the historical context.

3 ‘Alexander II’s reforms, in the years 1855–70, were inspired largely by Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

How accurate is it to say that the Bolsheviks very successfully consolidated their control over Russia in the years 1917–18?

How accurate is it to say that Russian leaders did little to encourage the peasantry to remain on the land in the years 1855–1991?

To what extent did Russia take advantage of modern inventions and ideas to improve agricultural production in the years 1861–1991?