The Bolsheviks faced challenges in the aftermath of the revolution.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. It was the government which was to takeover from the Provisional Government.
3. It was organised as a result of the Russian Revolution.
4. It was to be elected democratically / parliament of elected members.
5. 703 candidates were elected from the Bolsheviks, SRs, Mensheviks and Constitutional Democrat parties.
6. Elections were held in November 1917.
7. It met on 18 January 1918.
8. It was closed down by the Bolsheviks on 19 January 1918.
9. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
10. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
11. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
12. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
13. e.g. 'The treaty was bad for Russia because it cost the country valuable resources. For instance, 90% of Russia's coalmines were lost and around 25% of its industrial capacity. This meant the country, already facing economic problems because of the war, became even poorer.'
14. e.g. 'Russia lost coal mines.'
15. 'Russia lost large areas of territory.'
16. 'Russia lost much of its population.'
17. 'Russia lost Ukraine and Finland.'
18. 'The land Russia had gained in the Russo-Turkish War was returned to the Ottoman Empire.'
19. 'It crippled its economy.'
20. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
21. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
22. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5-6 marks
23. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
24. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
25. e.g. 'War Communism was an economy that met the needs of war and was the name given to harsh economic measures the Bolsheviks adopted during the Civil War to help them win. They aimed to keep the Red Army and the towns supplied with food and weapons. All large factories were taken over by the government and production was planned and organised so that they could keep their armies well supplied with equipment and arms. They ensured that the towns and armies were fed by forcing peasants to hand over surplus food to the government and rationing supplies. This gave the Bolshevik armies the supplies they needed.'
26. OR e.g. 'The weakness of White forces was one of the reasons the Red Army won the Civil War. They were divided and lacked clear leadership. They also failed to win the support of the people who were more interested in the Bolsheviks' promise of land.'
27. e.g. 'War Communism allowed the Bolsheviks to control industrial output.'
28. 'It allowed the agriculture surplus of the peasants to go to the Red Army.'
29. 'Trotsky was an effective leader of the Red Army.'
30. 'People supported the Bolsheviks because they wanted land.'
31. 'The Bolsheviks were well organised.'
32. 'The Red Army had control of the railways.'
33. 'The Whites lacked clear aims.'
34. 'The Whites were disorganised.'