Stalin attempted to change the Soviet Union in many ways.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Stalin wanted them to think of themselves as Russians and not as individual nationalities.
2. [1] Russian was taught in all schools and using their own languages was discouraged.
3. [1] Many people from ethnic minorities such as the Chechens and the Ingush were deported to Siberia where they became second-class citizens. Millions died.
4. [1] Many who were in the Soviet elite were targeted during the purges.
5. [1] There was a policy of Decossackisation to try and finish off the Cossacks.
6. [1] The Holodomor famine was a terror-famine campaign organised by the Soviet authorities against the Ukrainian population.
7. [6] Stalin believed reforming Soviet industry was crucial for national security, aiming to enable Russia to defend itself against hostile Western capitalist countries and potential invasion. He sought to modernize Russia's armed forces and defences by providing them with advanced materials and equipment. Furthermore, industrial reform was seen as essential for transforming Russia into a leading, self-sufficient Marxist state, putting industry under tighter government control, and improving people's living standards, as the NEP was considered to contradict socialist ideals.
8. [1] To make Russia more secure.
9. [1] To turn Russia into a leading country.
10. [1] To make the Soviet Union strong militarily.
11. [1] To put industry more under the control of the Soviet government.
12. [1] To make the Soviet Union self-sufficient.
13. [1] This would help create a Marxist state.
14. [1] The NEP went against socialist ideas.
15. [1] To improve people's standard of living.
16. [10] Collectivisation did more harm than good. It caused widespread disruption due to fierce Kulak opposition, leading to the destruction of livestock and crops, and a massive decline in grain production. Stalin's refusal to acknowledge reduced production, blaming Kulaks for hoarding, resulted in a devastating famine (especially in Ukraine) that killed millions. OR Collectivisation did more good than harm. Russian agriculture was backward and inefficient, necessitating reform to increase food production. While initial disruption and Kulak resistance (burning crops, killing animals) caused temporary setbacks and famine, by the late 1930s, most farms were collectivised, new machinery was introduced, and food production began to rise, ultimately modernizing agriculture and providing the food necessary to support industrialisation.
17. [1] Collectivisation was opposed by Kulaks and this led to disruption with much livestock being killed.
18. [1] It did a lot of harm because it caused famine.
19. [1] In the long run it did increase the production of food.
20. [1] Collectivisation did harm to the Kulaks who lost their farms and some were executed or sent to Siberia.