AQA
A-level
HISTORY
7042/1H
Component 1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–
1964
Version: 1.0 Final
IB/M/Jun23/E5
... [Show More] 7042/1H
A-level
HISTORY
Component 1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
Wednesday 24 May 2023 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
7042/1H.
• 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.
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IB/M/Jun23/7042/1H
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
There were significant strains and tensions in Tsarist society before 1917. In the 1890s
Russia had embarked on rapid industrialisation, yet the absolutist monarchy had refused
to admit to political power the industrial and professional classes created in this process.
The consequent explosion in 1905 and the granting of the October Manifesto offered
Tsardom a new opportunity to foster stability. Absolutism gave way to constitutional
monarchy. Although doubt must exist as to whether the Tsar succeeded in creating a
wider basis of support, it would be incorrect to deduce from the wave of strikes in
1912–14 that Nicholas II faced a truly revolutionary threat before 1914. There was no
possibility that the forces opposed to Tsardom could have formed a united coalition and
destroyed the monarchy. It was the Great War that intensified, to breaking point, the
political and social stresses which pre-war policies had temporarily addressed, but
without providing a lasting solution. It was the Great War that destroyed the Romanov
dynasty.
Adapted from RB Mckean, The Russian Constitutional Monarchy, 1907–17,1977
5
10
Extract B
The February/March revolution came as a surprise to everyone, both those within Russia
and those abroad. From the 1890s, socialists of all types had ardently desired revolution
and the abolition of the Romanov dynasty, yet there is no evidence that any of these
groups saw the impending storm. Even Lenin, in Switzerland, was pessimistically
preparing himself for the awful reality of not seeing revolution in Russia in his lifetime.
However, even without the need for leaders, the ordinary workers and soldiers took over.
In Petrograd, strikes involving workers, women and young people grew throughout
February 1917 until the Tsarist government had a general strike on its hands. Even then,
Nicholas II did not feel unduly insecure and many Duma members, although wanting to
end the existing government, still upheld the monarchy. The new element in the situation
was the changed mood of the soldiers. Almost bloodlessly, workers and soldiers forced
the Tsar’s abdication. Imperial Russia collapsed with breathtaking suddenness.
Adapted from M McCauley, The Russian Revolution and Soviet State 1917–1921, 1984
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10
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IB/M/Jun23/7042/1H Turn over ►
Extract C
In 1895, Tsar Nicholas II dismissed hopes of zemstvo representation in national
government as a ‘senseless dream’. Such disregard for political change remained a
feature of his rule. The result was that his prestige was critically damaged, and with it,
that of the autocracy. Nicholas was convinced, until the very end, that he was the best
judge of the country’s mood. To him, protest and dissent were temporary and caused by
agitators or selfish politicians. Even after the 1905 revolution had forced him to grant a
popularly-elected Duma, Nicholas tried to narrow its sphere of competence. Nicholas
lacked the talent needed for his role. He sat for hours over papers of state, but this led,
particularly in the last years of his reign, to a near-paralysis at the centre of government.
His assumption of personal command over the armies in the field in 1915 was running
away from government, rather than an act of solidarity with his troops. It proved fatal; he
was forced to abdicate in March 1917.
Adapted from H Rogger, Russia in the Age of Modernisation and Revolution 1881–1917,
1983
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10
0 1 Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the
arguments in these three extracts are in relation to the reasons for the abdication of
Tsar Nicholas II.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
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Section B
Answer two questions.
0 2 ‘Alexander II’s attempts at reform, in the years 1855 to 1881, were half-hearted and
ineffective.’
Assess the validity of this view.
[25 marks]
0 3 ‘Lenin’s and Stalin’s agricultural policies, in the years 1917 to 1941, were an economic
success but a social failure.’
Assess the validity of this view [Show Less]