Past Paper Questions Paper 1 Flashcards
(20 cards)
Explain two effects of the German invasion during the Second World War on the Soviet people
- The German invasion wrought significant damage on the USSR, e.g. partial and even complete destruction of hundreds of towns and cities, thousands of villages, and millions dead
-The German invasion led to the USSR adopting a policy of ‘total war’, and the prioritisation of war production over consumer goods resulted in consumer living standards being reduced by 40 per cent of pre-war standards - The response to the invasion exacerbated already difficult working conditions, e.g. an increase in the proportion of farm labouring done by hand as the production of tractors effectively ceased, and factory work saw 12 to 18 hour shifts, 7 days a week
The main reasons for the purges of 1930s was Kirov’s murder
How far do you agree?
(Agree)
- Kirov’s murder was the immediate pretext for the purges, hunting down the secret terror group run by Trotsky and Zinoviev supposedly behind the assassination
- Kirov’s popularity such as his topping the poll to elect the Central Committee in the ‘Congress of Victors’ in 1934, may have motivated both Stalin’s desire to have Kirov assassinated and undertake a wider purge
The main reasons for the purges of 1930s was Kirov’s murder
How far do you agree?
(Alternative views)
- Stalin’s insecurity meant that he believed he still had many enemies, e.g. former rivals from the Civil War period were seen as a threat as they knew the truth about his rise to power, and Lenin’s view of him
- Stalin feared that organisations such as the Red Army and secret police had too much independent power, and may serve as bases for possible plots and assassination attempts
- Economic motivations behind the purges may include allowing Stalin to blame economic problems on political enemies acting as ‘wreckers’, such as the charges of economic sabotage against the accused in the Menshevik Trial of 1931
The main consequence of Stalin’s policies on life in the Soviet Union was that they led to a decline in living conditions
How far do you agree?
(Agree)
- Targets under the Five-Year plans prioritised primary and heavy industry, and thus there was little focus on incentive to produce the consumer goods, resulting in a declining standard of living
- Living conditions for the peasantry declines, e.g. those forced onto kolkhoz faced famine, and harsh conditions contributed to the estimated 17 million who left the countryside to work in towns and cities
The main consequence of Stalin’s policies on life in the Soviet Union was that they led to a decline in living conditions
How far do you agree?
(Alternative views)
- Ethnic minorities such as Poles, Latvians, Chechens, Kurds and Germans experienced mass deportation in the 1930s and 1940s, with estimates of over 40 per cent of those deported in the 1940s dying as a result of disease, mistreatment or malnutrition
- Stalin believed Islam was a barrier to Soviet development, and imposed harsh policies on the Central Asia republics, e.g. cultural repression, the persecution of religious leaders, and significant mass deportations during the war years
- There were improvement in healthcare, e.g. the socialised system of healthcare covered millions who has not been able to access medical care before, with improvements in hospital care and the treatment of infectious diseases.
Explain two effects of the thaw in relations between the USA and the Soviet Union from 1963 on the Cold War
- Improved relations after the Cuban Missile Crisis led to the establishment of the telephone ‘hotline’ between the leadership of the USA and Soviet Union
- As a result of the thaw in relations, treaties were signed limiting the testing and spread of nuclear weapons, e.g. the Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963) and Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968), reducing the dangers suggested by Mutually Assured Destruction
- By 1972, the USA and USSR had negotiated some limits to the growth of their nuclear capabilities, e.g. the SALT 1 limits on strategic ballistic missiles, reducing the need for both sides to spend vast sums on defence
The main reason for the development of the Cold War, in the years 1945-49, was the actions of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe
How far do you agree?
(Agree)
- Stalin’s role in the failure to follow through with promises made during the wartime conferences to allow non-communists into a government in Poland strained relations between the USA and USSR
- Soviet support led to the setting up of communist regimes in several Eastern European nations against the electorate’s wishes, e.g. Rakosi had establishes himself as the dictator of Hungary by 1949, heightening Cold War fears over Europe
The main reason for the development of the Cold War, in the years 1945-49, was the actions of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe
How far do you agree?
(Alternative views)
- The input of western politicians and diplomats in the ‘war of words’ contributed to an escalation of tension, e.g. Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ speech provoked a reaction from Stalin
- Truman’s actions in 1947 marked a decisive shift in the USA’s approach, e.g. raising the Truman Doctrine’s promise of support to nations to contain the spread of communism
The most significant development in the Cold War, in the 1950s, was the Soviet invasion of Hungary
How far do you agree?
(Agree)
- By ending the most significant internal challenge to Soviet control of Eastern Europe in the period, the invasion demonstrated that the Soviet Union would act firmly to defend the Warsaw Pact and ensured the continuation of communist control
- The Soviet invasion of Hungary had a negative impact on attitudes towards communist rule, e.g. significant numbers of resignations of members of communist parties in Western Europe, and approx. 200,000 Hungarians subsequently went into exile
The most significant development in the Cold War, in the 1950s, was the Soviet invasion of Hungary
How far do you agree?
(Alternative views)
- The Korean War had a major impact on relations, as a major step in the spread of the Cold War into Asia, and also demonstrated the potential of China and the role of organisations such as the UNO
- The development of the arms race was significant, with both the USA and USSR developing thermonuclear weapons by 1953, with concerns on both sides over the relative strength of their military capabilities
Explain two effects of the purges of the 1930s on the USSR
- The purges severely weakened the Communist Party, removing a series of high-profile figures in the show trials of 1936-38 and strengthened Stalin’s personal grip on the party
- The purges weakened the Soviet Union’s military capabilities, with 35,000 off the officer corp being either imprisoned or shot
The main rival to Stalin in the leadership struggle of 1924-29 was Trotsky.
How far do you agree?
(Agree)
- Trotsky had been a close supporter of Lenin, working with him since the revolution, and was expected by many to be his successor
- The victory of the Red Army, under Trotsky’s command as Commissar of War, had given him prestige, and demonstrated the success of his leadership
The main rival to Stalin in the leadership struggle of 1924-29 was Trotsky.
How far do you agree?
(Alternative views)
- Zinoviev’s position as President of the Comintern (until 1926) had given him international prestige, and he held higher rank within the party
-Zinoviev had worked with Staling and Kamenev in the troika before Lenin’s death, and had already begun to marginalise Trotsky through controlling selection to the party conference, which denounced aspects of Trotskyism - Bukharin, who held the significant position of editor of Pravda until 1929, had a reputation as an able Marxist theoretican, and his willingness to ally with Stalin meant that he outlasted other rivals
The Soviet Union’s war production was the main reason for its success in driving back the German invasion in the Second World War
How far do you agree?
(Agree)
- Soviet tanks proved superior to German tanks of similar classes, and on the whole, the Soviets were able to produce tanks that were both more numerous and durable in the actions after the breakout from Stalingrad
- Even in aircraft production, the Soviets were able to produce fighters of sufficient number and quality to ensure air superiority over the German forces by 1943
The Soviet Union’s war production was the main reason for its success in driving back the German invasion in the Second World War
How far do you agree?
(Alternative views)
- The defence of Stalingrad marked a turning point, ending the German advance, securing vital communications and draining the strength of the German army
- The response of the Soviet people to the ‘Great Patriotic War’, and Stalin’s role in leading this, demonstrated a remarkable ability to absorb losses and continue fighting, e.g. over one million civilian deaths in the near 900-day siege of Leningrad
- The NKVD and state propaganda contributed to the success of resisting the German invasion, through compelling the Soviet population to continue to fight against an existential enemy
Explain two effects of the Truman Doctrine on international relations
- The Truman Doctrine established the principle of containment back by US financial and military support, demonstrating that the USA had rejected isolationalism
- The doctrine made a significant contribution to the division of Europe in two rival groups, linking Western nations to the USA and provoking a reaction amongst the Soviet Union and its allies
The main consequence of the Soviet invasion of Hungary was that Soviet control was restored
How far do you agree?
(Agree)
- It led to increases in the number of Soviet troops in Hungary, accepted by the Hungarian government by treaty on a basis
- Severe reprisals were enacted against those involved to reassert control, e.g. an estimated 12,000 were imprisoned and over 400 executed
The main consequence of the Soviet invasion of Hungary was that Soviet control was restored
How far do you agree?
(Alternative views)
- As a result of the successful invasion, it became clear that protestors and reformers within the Eastern Bloc would not receive Western military support
- Soviet control was also reasserted across the rest of Eastern Europe communists left the party or their organisations disassociated themselves from Soviet control
The main reason for the Cuban Missile Crisis was the actions of the USA
How far do you agree?
(Agree)
- The failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion was a disaster, pushing Castro towards the USSR as a precursor to Cuba becoming a site for missiles
- Kennedy’s continued threats after the Bay of Pigs, reasserting the Monroe Doctrine while emphasising that Latin American nations were only free to choose non-communist governments contributed to Cuba’s willingness to host Soviet missiles
The main reason for the Cuban Missile Crisis was the actions of the USA
How far do you agree?
(Alternative views)
- Castro’s ejection of US investment, and subsequent nationalisation when the USA rejected his authority to do so, prompted the chain of events that led to increased Soviet involvement in Cuba, contributing to the actual crisis
- The impact of the wider Cold War contributed to the crisis, such as failure to reach agreement at Vienna, which led to increased American military spending and Khrushchev’s willingness to install missiles in Cuba, believing Kennedy would not respond
