The Bolsheviks seized power in 1917. DEPTH STUDY C: RUSSIA, 1905–41

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] 'They were part of the Social Democrat Party.'
2. [1-4] 'They supported the idea of revolution in Russia.'
3. [1-4] 'They split from the Bolsheviks in 1903.'
4. [1-4] 'Mensheviks believed that the revolutionary party should be broadly based.'
5. [1-4] 'They thought the party should be democratically organised.'
6. [1-4] 'They believed in Marxism.'
7. [1-4] 'They thought that revolution would be a gradual process.'
8. [1-4] 'They encouraged the formation of Soviets in the 1905 revolution.'
9. [2-3] 'The Provisional Government decided to continue with the war.'
10. [2-3] 'Offensives at the front failed and there was mass desertion.'
11. [2-3] 'The Petrograd Soviet undermined the Provisional Government.'
12. [2-3] 'The Government failed to stop the seizure of land.'
13. [2-3] 'It did not re-distribute the land to the peasants successfully.'
14. [2-3] 'Food shortages and high prices continued.'
15. [2-3] 'The Government continued with grain seizures to feed the troops at the front.'
16. [2-3] 'People at home demanded an end to the war because of the numerous shortages.'
17. [4-5] 'The Provisional Government did not approve of peasants and returning soldiers seizing land from the nobility and wealthy landlords. The Government wanted to do it within the framework of the law, but it failed to control the peasants or please them over the issue of land. This made the politicians appear to be failing to understand the poor or to be willing to meet their needs and this meant they struggled to win the support of the people.'
18. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons (e.g., failure to address land reform and continued involvement in WWI).
19. [2-3] 'Lenin introduced the policy of War Communism.'
20. [2-3] 'Lenin understood that the Red Army must be kept supplied.'
21. [2-3] 'Trotsky was a brilliant leader.'
22. [2-3] 'Trotsky visited the front in an armoured train.'
23. [2-3] 'Many soldiers were loyal to Trotsky and were inspired by him.'
24. [2-3] 'Lenin had many political problems to deal with.'
25. [4-6] 'In some ways Lenin was most important. He was responsible for taking Russia out of the First World War and knew that he had to win the Civil War at all costs. He made important decisions such as ordering that the Red Army should have priority when it came to food supplies. When the army had been fed, then supplies could be sent to the cities. This meant the Red Army was strong and may even have attracted recruits. He was responsible for the policy of war communism which kept the army supplied.'
26. [4-6] 'However, Trotsky was very important to Bolshevik success in the Civil War. He was commander of the Red Army and, despite having no military training, proved to be a very able organiser. He ensured that the most able soldiers were promoted and travelled around Russia in an armoured train so that he could visit the troops and motivate them. He organised special forces and took them to parts of the front where the fighting was most intense. He also enforced strict discipline and deserters were dealt with harshly.'
27. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides (A L4 answer will have a minimum of three explanations (2 on one side; 1 on the other). Fuller explanation of one issue to be given two marks. An answer which only has one explanation on one side of the argument cannot be awarded more than 8.)
28. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)