SECTION A: CORE CONTENT. Option B: The twentieth century. The Soviet Union had a difficult task in maintaining control over Eastern Europe.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] The workers at the Lenin Shipyard went on strike.
2. [1] Lech Walesa led the strikers.
3. [1] They went on strike because they were angry about price rises and the sacking of workers who complained about poor conditions.
4. [1] The strikers demanded the right to form a trade union.
5. [1] The strike lasted a week.
6. [1] The government tried to stop news of the strike spreading by cutting telephone lines and censoring news reports.
7. [1] The government had to listen to the strikers' demands.
8. [1] On 31 August, the government agreed to allow the workers to form a union / Solidarity was formed.
9. [1] Solidarity put forward 21 Demands.
10. [6] Level 4: Explains two reasons.
11. [4-5] Level 3: Explains one reason. Four marks for one explanation, five marks for explanation supported by specific contextual knowledge.
12. [4] One reason for the growth of Solidarity was that the Polish government allowed the union to come into being. They were worried because the workers who were most heavily involved were from the shipbuilding yard or from heavy industry. These were the most important industries for the Polish economy and if the workers organised a general strike, it would have a devastating effect on an economy which was already struggling. This meant they gave in and agreed to some of Solidarity's demands and this in turn encouraged more people to support Solidarity.
13. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid reason(s); addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
14. [1] Lech Walesa was an effective / inspirational leader of Solidarity.
15. [1] Members of Solidarity were from unions in the shipbuilding trade.
16. [1] The Polish economy was in a bad state.
17. [1] The 21 Demands of the strikers were economic and many people agreed with them.
18. [1] Solidarity was careful not to use violent methods.
19. [1] The Polish government agreed to some of Solidarity's demands.
20. [1] Solidarity had its own newspaper which spread their message outside the shipyards.
21. [1] Solidarity had the support of the Catholic Church.
22. [1] Solidarity had the support of the Western countries.
23. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
24. [1] In 1981 Solidarity membership reached 9.4 million.
25. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
26. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
27. [10] Discontent with Soviet control was not the most important reason as this had existed for some time but Soviet or communist government forces had kept it in check. What changed in the 1980s was Gorbachev coming to power. His policies to encourage openness invited criticism of the Soviet regime. He knew that the Soviet economy was in poor shape and one way to save money was to reduce military spending. His 'Sinatra Doctrine' meant that the USSR would not step in to stop protest in Eastern European states.
28. [7-9] Level 4: Explains both sides. For candidates to be awarded this level they must have one explanation on each side; one additional mark for each additional explanation on either side.
29. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
30. [4] There was discontent in Eastern Europe because governments were facing shortages of basic commodities such as bread and meat and therefore raised prices and in some cases introduced rationing. Prices were fixed by the governments but inefficient. Agriculture meant huge quantities of imports were needed. It was the increase in meat prices which sparked off the strike in Poland which led to Solidarity taking a lead.
31. [4] Gorbachev introduced 'glasnost', which was a policy of more openness designed to restore faith in government. Gorbachev said that people who criticised the government should not be persecuted. The reaction was that this led to criticism of Soviet control across Eastern European countries.
32. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
33. [1] Soviet control was very harsh.
34. [1] The economy of the Soviet Union was failing.
35. [1] There was a shortage of basic commodities.
36. [1] People could not get consumer goods.
37. [1] Personal freedoms were curtailed / freedom of speech / censorship.
38. [1] Living conditions fell below those of the Western countries.
39. [1] The Red Army could not support East European governments.
40. [1] Gorbachev introduced reforms which gave Eastern European states the idea that they would be allowed to reform.
41. [1] Gorbachev made links with the West.
42. [1] Solidarity gave encouragement to working people to protest.
43. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
44. [1] By the mid 1980s the Soviet economy was very weak.
45. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks