There were many challenges to Tsarist authority in the early 1900s.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). 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. [1] Bloody Sunday took place in January.
3. [1] Father Gapon led a peaceful demonstration.
4. [1] Around 200 000 people marched to the Winter Palace.
5. [1] Troops fired at the demonstrators and almost 100 were killed.
6. [1] Events in St Petersburg inspired further disturbances.
7. [1] The railway workers went on strike in October.
8. [1] Unions were formed by workers from key industries.
9. [1] The St Petersburg Soviet was established.
10. [1] Soviets and unions demanded better rights for workers.
11. [1] Sailors on the Potemkin revolted in June.
12. [1] There was a general strike in September.
13. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
14. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
15. [4] One reason for increased discontent with the Tsarist regime was the defeat of Russia by Japan in 1904. Russia hoped for a quick victory which would boost the morale of the people. However, the Russians were defeated by a far smaller nation and this was humiliating. This added to the ill feeling which already existed against the Tsarist regime.
16. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
17. [1] Russia was defeated by Japan.
18. [1] There was economic development in Russia but the conditions facing the workers were very harsh.
19. [1] Attempts to form unions to improve conditions were resisted.
20. [1] Workers moved to the cities and political ideas about representation began to spread.
21. [1] There was a crisis in agriculture as poor methods could not keep up with population growth.
22. [1] There was a shortage of food.
23. [1] There was an unequal distribution of land.
24. [1] A liberal interior minister was appointed and so people were encouraged to ask for concessions.
25. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
26. [1] The Tsar grew increasingly unpopular with the people.
27. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
28. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
29. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5 to 6 marks
30. [4] Hatred of the Tsarina was important in the Tsar's fall from power. 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 and this meant the Tsar was discredited.
31. [4] However, there were other reasons. The Tsar assumed supreme command of the Russian Army fighting on the Eastern Front. This linked the Tsar to the country's military failures and 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.
32. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
33. [1] The Tsarina was German.
34. [1] The Tsarina was influenced by Rasputin.
35. [1] The Tsarina and Rasputin were not popular.
36. [1] Leading aristocrats did not like the Tsarina.
37. [1] The Tsarina dismissed ministers.
38. [1] The Tsar took personal command of the army.
39. [1] There were enormous casualties.
40. [1] Soldiers suffered food shortages and hunger.
41. [1] There was anger over food shortages and forced grain requisition.
42. [1] The Tsarina and Rasputin were not popular.
43. [1] There were numerous strikes for higher wages.
44. [1] The army refused to fire on protesters.
45. [1] The effect of the bad winter.
46. [1] The Tsar had not allowed political reform.
47. [1] The Duma refused to close down when ordered by the Tsar.
48. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
49. [1] The Tsar was very unpopular by 1917.