The years 1917 to 1928 were turbulent ones for Russia.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] It was a mutiny by sailors.
2. [1] Sailors on the battleship Petropavlovsk mutinied.
3. [1] It took place in 1921.
4. [1] It took place at the Kronstadt naval base.
5. [1] It was against the Bolsheviks.
6. [1] There was a shortage of food.
7. [1] The sailors thought the Bolsheviks had drifted from true communism.
8. [1] They did not like Bolshevik party leaders getting privileges.
9. [1] It happened because of War Communism.
10. [1] They demanded freedom of speech, equal rations, and new elections.
11. [1] It was crushed by the Red Army.
12. [1] Over 2000 mutineers were executed.
13. [1] Many of the mutineers were sent to Siberia.
14. [1] It led to a change of policy from War Communism to the NEP.
15. [6] (Level 4) One of the factors that contributed to a civil war was the actions of the Allies. They were very worried when Russia withdrew from the First World War. They were worried that this would strengthen Germany who could send troops to the Western Front and that Russia might even make an alliance with Germany. They were also against Bolshevik ideas. Countries like Britain and France sent troops and supplies to fight with the Whites against the Bolsheviks.
16. [5] (Level 3) One key factor was the Allies' actions, as they were concerned about Russia's withdrawal from World War I potentially strengthening Germany and the spread of Bolshevik ideas. Consequently, countries like Britain and France sent troops and supplies to support the White forces against the Bolsheviks, contributing to the civil war.
17. [1] (Level 2) The Allies sent troops to force Russia back into the war.
18. [1] (Level 2) Landlords and others who had lost money in the revolution wanted change.
19. [1] (Level 2) Groups opposed to Bolshevik ideas such as liberals and social democrats.
20. [1] (Level 2) Supporters of the Tsar wanted a return of the Romanovs.
21. [1] (Level 2) Some from the left opposed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
22. [1] (Level 2) It was caused by the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.
23. [1] (Level 1) The Civil War in Russia lasted from 1918 until 1920 when the Whites were defeated by the Red Army.
24. [10] (Level 5) On the whole, the NEP was a success. Although there was opposition to it from some Bolsheviks it did something very important. It rescued Russia from awful starvation and famine and might even have rescued the Bolshevik Revolution. Russia was on the brink in 1920/21 with mutiny, discontent amongst peasants and industrial workers, and a dreadful shortage of food. The NEP rescued Russia and the Bolsheviks from this situation. In comparison, upsetting a few extreme Bolsheviks did not matter much.
25. [6] (Level 3) The NEP was a success. Lenin introduced it because War Communism had caused enormous hardship. There were food shortages and a terrible famine and there had been a naval mutiny at Kronstadt. The NEP was designed to improve conditions and win back support from peasants and workers. It allowed peasants to sell some of their grain for a profit and small factories went back into private ownership. It led to industrial production recovering and to peasants producing more food.
26. [6] (Level 3) The NEP was a failure. Many Bolsheviks were horrified by it because it was a step backwards from true communism. It also led to the appearance of Nepmen who made enormous profits by exploiting the peasants. This was also against Bolshevik principles. Although Lenin argued it was only a short-term measure, it created deep divisions between the Bolsheviks and it did not even improve the lot of the industrial workers who resented the Nepmen.
27. [1] (Level 2) Grain production went up.
28. [1] (Level 2) Trade with other countries increased.
29. [1] (Level 2) There was less discontent and fewer strikes.
30. [1] (Level 2) Factory production increased.
31. [1] (Level 2) Some peasants benefited.
32. [1] (Level 2) Nepmen exploited people and became rich.
33. [1] (Level 2) Farming was not modernised.
34. [1] (Level 2) It was seen by some Bolsheviks as a move away from communist ideas.
35. [1] (Level 2) It did not help industrial workers.
36. [1] (Level 2) Growing inequality between peasants.
37. [1] (Level 1) The NEP was introduced by Lenin to try and make the situation better. It changed a lot of things, but this was necessary because Russia was in such a terrible situation in 1920.