A-LEVEL HISTORY 2N: REVOLUTION AND DICTATORSHIP: RUSSIA, 1917-1953

FLASHCARDS TIMELINE ESSAY SOURCES CONFIDENCE

Section 1: Dissent and Revolution, PLANS/ESSAYS
1917

2. Feb/March revolution of 1917

3. Developments between the
revolutions
Section 3: Stalin's rise to power,
1924-1929
9. The power vaccum and power
struggle
10. Ideological debates and issues in the
leadership struggle
Section 4: Economy and society,
1929-1941
13. Agricultural and social
developments in the countryside
14. Industrial and social developments
in towns and cities.
Section 6: The Great Patriotic War
and Stalin's Dictatorship, 1941-
1953

22. The defeat of the Germans

24. The transformation of the Soviet
Union's international position

2. What caused the February Revolution of 1917? Essay/ Mark / Feedback

 Plan 25
‘It was economic distress in Petrograd that brought about Nicholas II’s
abdication in March 1917’. Assess the validity of this view.
How significant was economic distress in the revolution of February/March
1917?
How significant were the actions of the army in the revolution of
February/March 1917?
‘The emergence of the working class in Russia was the main cause of the
February Revolution.’ Assess the validity of this view.

“The February Revolution would not have occurred if it were not for the
incompetence of Tsar Nicholas II”. Assess the validity of this view.
How significant were the actions of the army in the revolution of
February/March 1917? [2019]
3. Developments between the revolutions 1917
‘By the summer of 1917 there was no support for the Provisional Government
in Russia’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
To what extent can the Dual authority arrangement be held responsible for
the failure of the Provisional Government to consolidate and maintain its
power in Russia between March and October 1917?
4. What caused the October Revolution?
(October) ‘Trotsky’s contribution to the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917
was greater than that of Lenin.’ [2018]
‘Lenin should be given the credit for the success of the October/November
revolution’. Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
‘Social discontent was more important than Lenin’s advancement of
Bolshevik ideology in bringing the Bolsheviks to power in October 1917’
Assess the validity of this view.
‘The two revolutions of February/March 1917 and October/November 1917
were the result of Russia’s involvement in the First World War.’ Assess the
validity of this view. [2020]
‘By the end of 1917, it was already clear that the Bolshevik state would be
oppressive and authoritarian.’ Assess the validity of this view.
9. 10. Why did Stalin become leader of the USSR by Essay/ Mark
1929? Plan /25
“The principle reason for Stalin’s emergence as leader in 1928 were the
failings of Trotsky”. Assess the validity of this view.

‘Stalin’s control of the party bureaucracy was the main reason why he
emerged as leader in 1929.’ Assess the validity of this view.

‘Ideology was of little importance to Stalin in his determination to win the

power struggle in the years 1924 to 1929.’ Assess the validity of this view.
[2019]
‘His ideology was the most significant factor in bringing Stalin to power’
Assess the validity of this view.
‘Stalin came to power because of the weaknesses of other contenders’ Assess
the validity of this view.
‘None of the contenders for power in 1924 possessed the qualities needed to
be an effective leader of Russia’. Explain why you agree or disagree with this
view.
‘Stalin’s success in the power struggle by 1929 was due more to his ruthless
ambition than to his policies’ Assess the validity of this view.
13. 14. Why did Stalin make the ‘Great Turn’ in 1928? Essay/ Mark
Plan /25
“Stalin’s decision to make the great turn was primarily due to political
motives”. Assess the validity of this view.

‘Stalin abandoned the NEP in 1928 purely to outmanoeuvre his opponents

and become leader’ Assess the validity of this view.

‘The Great Turn was a success for Stalin politically but proved to be a failure
economically’ Assess the validity of this view. [PPT]
‘The Great Turn was a disaster for the population of Russia in the years 1929-1921’
Assess the validity of this view. [PPT]
13. How successful was the policy of
Collectivisation?/Did Collectivisation strengthen Russia?
“Collectivisation was a disaster for the USSR by 1941”. Assess the validity of
this view. [PPT]

‘Collectivisation in the USSR, in the years 1929-1941, was a success’. Assess the
validity of this view. [AQA Textbook]

Did Collectivisation strengthen Russia? [general Q]

To what extent was the destruction of the kulaks the most important
outcome of Stalin’s campaign of forced collectivisation? [2018]

"Collectivisation in the USSR in the yeas 1929-1941 was almost solely an

ideological success". Assess the validity of this view.
“The policy of collectivisation was determined more by ideology than
economic realty”. Discuss the validity of this view.
‘Collectivisation was a political success but brought economic and social
disaster’ Assess the validity of this view.
14. How successful were the Five Year Plans?/Did the
Five Year Plans strengthen Russia?
“The Five Year Plans successfully revolutionised Russian industry”. Assess the
validity of this view. [PPT]
“By 1941, Stalin’s economic policies had successfully prepared Russia for
war.” Assess the validity of this view. [PPT]

To what extent did the Five Year Plans achieve Stalin’s aims for industrial
development?’ [AQA Revision Guide]
To what extent had the Five Year Plans fulfilled Stalin’s aims by 1941? [AQA
Textbook]
How successful was Stalin in creating a ‘socialist economy’ in the years 1929
to 1941? [AQA Textbook]
To what extent was the First Five-Year Plan more successful than the New
Economic Policy in improving Soviet industrial performance? [2017]
To what extent had Stalin’s Five Year Plans improved the lives of Soviet
citizens by 1941?
‘The skilled workers were the only social group to benefit from Stalinist
policies in the 1930s.’ Assess the validity of this view.
‘The transformation of Russian industry, in the years 1928 to 1941, was
achieved through the application of socialist/Marxist principles’ Assess the
validity of this view.
How important was the Stakhanovite movement to the success of Stalin’s
Five Year Plans?
‘The development of new industrial towns and centres was ultimately more
successful than Stalin’s Five Year Plans themselves’ Assess the validity of this
view.
“The NEP was a more effective economic policy than the Five Year Plans.”
Assess the validity of this view.
13. 14. Soviet Economy: Collectivisation and Five Year
Plans
How successful was Stalin in creating a ‘socialist economy’ in the years 1929-1941?
[PPT]
How successful were attempts to rebuild the Soviet economy in the years 1945 to
1953? [2021]
(22. The defeat of the Germans)
How successful was post-war industrial and agricultural reconstruction in the years
1946 to 1953? [AQA Revision Guide]
(16. The social and economic condition of the Soviet Union by 1941)
The USSR was in a weak economic condition when war broke out in 1941’ Assess the
validity of this view. [AQA Textbook]
Was central planning the most significant factor in the Soviet Union’s economic
development during 1929 to 1941?
To what extent were changes in economic policy in the years 1928 to 1941 merely a
pragmatic response to changing circumstances?
Why did the USSR manage to defeat Germany in World
War Two/win the Great Patriotic War?
“Russia’s victory over the Germans can only be explained by German mistakes
and weaknesses.” Assess the validity of this view. [PPT]
‘The Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War was the result of Stalin’s
command economy.’ Assess the validity of this view [AQA Revision guide]
‘Stalin’s victory in the Great Patriotic War owed more to luck than to his good
leadership’ Assess the validity of this view. [AQA Textbook]
(21. Great Patriotic War and its impact on the Soviet Union)
To what extent does Stalin deserve the title ‘the Great War hero’ for his
leadership of the USSR between 1941 and 1945? [AQA Textbook]
To what extent was Stalin’s political authority changed by the Great Patriotic
War?
24. The Transformation of the Soviet Union’s
international position
(Was the USSR a superpower? How was the USSR a superpower?)
(Success, Causation)
How far was Stalin’s creation of a Soviet bloc in Eastern Europe after the
Second World War the result of his obsession with ensuring international
security for the USSR? [2017]
‘USSR was far from being a ‘superpower’ in 1953’ Assess the validity of this
view [AQA Textbook]
‘In 1953, the USSR deserved to be called a superpower’ Assess the validity of
this view. [AQA Revision Guide]

ALL RUSSIA PAST EXAM QS

2017

 To what extent was the First Five-Year Plan more successful than the New Economic
Policy in improving Soviet industrial performance?
 ‘The USSR experienced a social revolution during Stalin’s regime in the 1930s.’ Assess
the validity of this view.
 How far was Stalin’s creation of a Soviet bloc in Eastern Europe after the Second
World War the result of his obsession with ensuring international security for the
USSR?
 Source: Kronstadt Rising of 1921

2018

 ‘Trotsky’s contribution to the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917 was greater than
that of Lenin.’
 How important were unity and organisation to the Red victory in the Civil War in the
years 1918 to 1921?
 To what extent was the destruction of the kulaks the most important outcome of
Stalin’s campaign of forced collectivisation?
 Source: state terror in the USSR in the 1930s
2019

 How significant were the actions of the army in the revolution of February/March
1917?
 ‘Ideology was of little importance to Stalin in his determination to win the power
struggle in the years 1924 to 1929.’ Assess the validity of this view.
 ‘Stalin’s foreign policy, in the years 1929 to 1939, was driven solely by the need to
protect Soviet borders.’ Assess the validity of this view.
 Source: life in the USSR in the immediate post-war years

2020

 ‘The two revolutions of February/March 1917 and October/November 1917 were

the result of Russia’s involvement in the First World War.’ Assess the validity of
this view.
 ‘Stalin’s foreign policies were inconsistent and contradictory in the years 1924 to
1934.’ Assess the validity of this view.
 How far was Stalin personally responsible for the mass terror and purges of the
Yezhovshchina in the years 1936 to 1938?
 Source: Stakhanovite movement in the USSR

2021

 ‘From the revolution of October/November 1917 to the new constitution of July

1918, Lenin’s only aim was to establish a one-party state.’ Assess the validity of
this view.
 To what extent were the purges and terror of 1937–38 due to Stalin’s determination
to eliminate potential political rivals?
 How successful were attempts to rebuild the Soviet economy in the years 1945 to
1953?
 Source: The impact of Lenin’s NEP

2022 questions:
Source: February revolution
Essays: Russia as a global superpower
Essays: Leadership battle
Essays: