In the decades after the Second World War, the Soviet Union struggled to maintain control of Eastern Europe.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] He took over the leadership of Poland/became Prime Minister in February.
2. [1] He had negotiations with Walesa to form a government of national understanding.
3. [1] He introduced martial law in December.
4. [1] He put Walesa and thousands of Solidarity supporters in prison.
5. [1] He suspended Solidarity.
6. [6] Level 4: Explains two reasons.
7. [4-5] Level 3: Explains one reason.
8. [5] Gorbachev changed policy because he understood how economically weak the USSR was and that something had to be done. He also knew that the Soviet Union could no longer afford to keep Eastern Europe under its control as this cost a lot of money. He told the leaders of the Eastern European countries that they were now on their own and that he would not prop them up in power.
9. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid reason(s); addresses the question but does not explain.
10. [1] Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union.
11. [1] Gorbachev introduced new policies.
12. [1] The dire economic situation of the Soviet Union / the shortage of basic commodities.
13. [1] It was expensive to support communist regimes in Eastern Europe.
14. [1] Gorbachev believed the Eastern European countries could reform themselves for the good of their people.
15. [1] The actions of Eastern European peoples, e.g. Solidarity.
16. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
17. [1] It changed because a lot of people did not like what was happening. They thought that it could be done better.
18. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'.
19. [10] Many of the ideas put forward in these two countries were similar. Basically, people wanted more freedom and a better standard of living. However, there was a crucial difference that made the events in Hungary more dangerous. In Hungary it was proposed to leave the Warsaw Pact. This could seriously weaken Soviet control over Eastern Europe and made events in Hungary more of a threat.
20. [7-9] Level 4: Explains both sides.
21. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side.
22. [6] Events in Hungary were more of a threat. The Soviets were willing to tolerate some of the reforms that Nagy was planning but there was one reform that they saw as a real threat to Soviet control. This was the idea that Hungary should leave the Warsaw Pact. This was a military alliance of communist countries, and it was important for keeping the communist bloc secure and putting down anti-Soviet risings. If one country like Hungary left, it would make the whole communist bloc less secure and could encourage other countries to follow.
23. [6] OR Events in Czechoslovakia were more of a danger to the Soviet Union. The Soviets regarded the reforms proposed by Dubček as very dangerous. He let communism be criticised, and in the Prague Spring ideas such as allowing other political parties and free speech were talked about. The Soviets saw these ideas as a real danger to communism and to Soviet control. If Czechoslovakia made these reforms, the control of the Communist Party could collapse.
24. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain.
25. [1] Many people in Hungary hated the presence of Soviet troops in their country.
26. [1] Nagy planned to make reforms in Hungary.
27. [1] Nagy planned to take Hungary out of the Warsaw Pact.
28. [1] The Hungarian people fought against the return of the Soviet tanks.
29. [1] The Soviets sent in thousands of tanks.
30. [1] There was little violent resistance in Czechoslovakia.
31. [1] In Czechoslovakia Dubček was thinking of allowing other political parties.
32. [1] Dubček had no intention of leaving the Warsaw Pact.
33. [1] There was concern that the ideas in Czechoslovakia could spread to other Eastern European countries.
34. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
35. [1] Both countries saw events that were a real threat to Soviet control. This is why the Soviet Union acted against them.