The Tsarist regime was under threat in the early twentieth century.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Russia was humiliated at being defeated by a much smaller nation.
2. [1] The defeat fuelled the discontent which was already spreading in Russia.
3. [1] Discontent grew and protests took place on Bloody Sunday.
4. [1] There was a revolution in 1905.
5. [1] There was a mutiny on the battleship Potemkin.
6. [1] It was feared the Tsar was losing control of the armed forces.
7. [1] Nicholas issued the October Manifesto.
8. [1] People were promised a Duma and freedoms.
9. [1] This divided/split the opposition.
10. [1] The opponents of the Tsar were crushed.
11. [1] The army supported the Tsar.
12. [Level 3/4 explanation example] One reason the Tsar survived the 1905 revolution was that he issued the October Manifesto. This promised that a Duma would be established and that people would be given freedoms such as free speech and freedom of assembly. The Duma would be elected and laws would not be passed without the Duma's authority. By appearing to give in to the demands of the people this way, Nicholas II was able to restore order.
13. [1] There were enormous casualties.
14. [1] The Tsarina and Rasputin were not popular.
15. [1] There were numerous strikes for higher wages.
16. [1] Soldiers suffered food shortages and hunger.
17. [1] The army refused to fire on protesters.
18. [1] The effect of the bad winter.
19. [Level 3 explanation example - Tsar's personal control of army] By assuming supreme command of the Russian Army fighting on the Eastern Front, the Tsar was immediately linked to the country's military failures. He made himself personally responsible for the country's huge loss of life, which, by the end of 1916, was estimated at nearly five million dead, missing or as prisoners. There was discontent and mutiny and the Tsar was seen as being the cause.
20. [Level 3 explanation example - Other reasons for Tsar's fall] When the Tsar went to lead the troops at the front, the Tsarina took responsibility for domestic policy. Rasputin served as her adviser and, as a result, she dismissed ministers in rapid succession. Rumours circulated that she and Rasputin were leaders of a pro-German court group. The government was very unstable and this was responsible for Nicholas' fall from power.