Syllabus Study

Question 1

What topics are in the survey for Russia?

Answer 1

Bolshevik consolidation of power, including:
– an overview of Bolshevik ideology, the October coup 1917 and early Soviet government
– the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the Civil War and the introduction of the New Economic Policy

Question 2

What topics are in the focus area ‘The Bolsheviks and the power struggle following the death of Lenin’?

Answer 2

• the impact of the Bolshevik consolidation of power, including the creation of the USSR
• power struggle between Stalin, Trotsky and other leading Bolshevik figures in the 1920s
• reasons for the emergence of Stalin as leader of the USSR by the late 1920s

Question 3

What topics are in the focus area, ‘The Soviet State under Stalin’?

Answer 3

– the nature of the USSR under Stalin, including dictatorship and totalitarianism
– economic transformation under Stalin and its impact on Soviet society, including collectivisation and the five-year plans
– political transformation under Stalin: growth of the Party, use of terror, show trials, gulags, propaganda and censorship
– social and cultural change in the USSR under Stalin

Question 4

What topics are in the focus area, ‘Soviet foreign policy’?

Answer 4

– the nature of Soviet foreign policy 1917–1941

– the role of ideology in Soviet foreign policy 1917–1941

Question 5

What would be essential to cover if you got a question on Stalin and economic transformation?

Answer 5

collectivisation and the five-year plans

Question 6

What would be essential to cover if you got a question on Stalin and political transformation?

Answer 6

growth of the Party, use of terror, show trials, gulags, propaganda and censorship

Question 7

What would be essential to cover if you got a question on Stalin and social transformation?

Answer 7

specific reforms related to women, culture, religion, family, education etc.