SECTION B: DEPTH STUDIES. Depth study C: Russia, 1905–41. The Provisional Government inherited a difficult situation in 1917.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] Four Kadet ministers resigned from the government on 15 July.
2. [1] Workers, soldiers and sailors rioted on the streets for the next two days.
3. [1] They wanted the Soviets to take power.
4. [1] There was unrest over food shortages and the continuation of the war.
5. [1] The Provisional Government suggested that Lenin was a German spy.
6. [1] Trotsky was arrested.
7. [1] The riots lacked leadership.
8. [1] Lenin fled to Finland.
9. [1] The July Days showed the Bolsheviks were not ready to take power.
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] The Kornilov Affair was important to the Bolsheviks because it gave them more power and support. The Provisional Government was losing support on all sides. Kerensky, Head of the Provisional Government, appointed Kornilov as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces. He authorised him to impose order in Petrograd. Kornilov marched on the capital. Kerensky panicked as he was uncertain of support from his own army generals and was forced to ask his Bolshevik opponents for help. This showed up the weakness of the Provisional Government and strengthened the position of the Bolsheviks.
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] Kerensky's troops were no match for those of Kornilov.
15. [1] Kerensky used the Bolsheviks to defend Petrograd against Kornilov's troops.
16. [1] Bolshevik activists persuaded Kornilov's troops to desert.
17. [1] The Bolsheviks organised an army called the Red Guard.
18. [1] Kerensky armed the Bolsheviks.
19. [1] The Bolsheviks kept their arms after the defeat of Kornilov.
20. [1] The Bolsheviks were credited with saving Petrograd.
21. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
22. [1] Kornilov tried to seize power from Kerensky.
23. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
24. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
25. [10] The war was the most serious problem as Russia did not have the supplies, ammunition or trained troops to continue fighting. This problem also affected all Russians and not just the peasants. Food was sent to the front rather than the cities and this resulted in serious shortages and inflation. The problems which had caused the February Revolution were still there and the Provisional Government was not addressing them.
26. [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.
27. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
28. [4] The Provisional Government did not address the land issue. However, the Bolsheviks, who formed the majority of the Petrograd Soviet, promised land to the peasants. Many of the peasants who deserted from the army returned home and seized land from the landlords, some of whom were killed. The Provisional Government was not against the idea of land redistribution but wanted it to take place lawfully. They failed to take control of the situation and their inability to act made them seem out of touch with the people.
29. [4] The Provisional Government decided to continue fighting in the First World War and this was a very unpopular and disastrous decision. When Russia's armies were ordered to take the offensive in Austria in June 1917, the response was wholesale desertion and mutiny. Almost 2 million soldiers deserted and some killed their officers.
30. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
31. [1] The Provisional Government failed to solve the land problem.
32. [1] Returning soldiers simply took land from those who owned it.
33. [1] There were attacks on the nobility and landowners.
34. [1] They decided to continue the war.
35. [1] There were widespread desertions from the army.
36. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
37. [1] The Provisional Government was only a temporary government and failed to take decisive steps.
38. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks