Stalin was determined to gain and keep control over the USSR.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] Stalin had become too powerful.
2. [1] Lenin was not sure that Stalin would use his authority wisely.
3. [1] Lenin said that Stalin was 'too rude'.
4. [1] Lenin said Stalin should be removed from his position as Secretary-General.
5. [1] Trotsky was a man of outstanding ability.
6. [1] Lenin said that Trotsky was the most capable man in the Central Committee.
7. [1] Trotsky displayed excessive self-assurance.
8. [1] Trotsky focused too much on administration.
9. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
10. [5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason (e.g. Stalin tricked Trotsky into missing Lenin's funeral. At the funeral Stalin was able to demonstrate that he had been close to Lenin, by appearing as the chief mourner. This meant that Stalin seemed to have had a close relationship with Lenin and was therefore the best candidate to succeed him.)
11. [1] Stalin tricked Trotsky into missing Lenin's funeral; this meant that Trotsky appeared to be uncaring.
12. [1] Stalin was chief mourner.
13. [1] Stalin showed he had been closer to Lenin than Trotsky.
14. [1] People saw Stalin as Lenin's successor.
15. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)
16. [9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
17. [6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides (More detailed explanation of one issue to be given two marks.)
18. [3] The personality cult was an effective means of control. Government propaganda created the 'cult of Stalin' in which Stalin was worshipped as a god-like leader. Paintings, sculpture and literature all glorified Stalin's role as leader. The Soviet people were controlled by being brainwashed to believe that the USSR's success was completely dependent on Stalin. This meant they supported him without question.
19. [3] Stalin also had other ways of controlling the people, the most powerful being the use of fear. The NKVD was the secret police and they enforced Stalin's rule across the USSR. They arrested anyone who was suspected of disloyalty. Hundreds of thousands of people were imprisoned without trial and some were then killed. People were too scared to say anything against Stalin in case they should suffer the same fate.
20. [3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes (One mark for each point)
21. [1] Government propaganda showed Stalin as a god-like figure.
22. [1] Government propaganda showed Stalin as a great hero.
23. [1] Government propaganda meant people believed Stalin would help them through troubled times.
24. [1] The NKVD enforced Stalin's rule.
25. [1] The Soviet people were frightened by the purges.
26. [1] Russification controlled the Soviet people.
27. [1] Many people were put in labour camps.