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HWA CHONG INSTITUTIONEXAMINATION 2010

INTEGRATED HUMANITIESIntegrated Humanities Elective 1 (IHE1)History: Rise and Fall of Communism

Level: Secondary ThreeDuration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Do not open this booklet until you are told to do so.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Answer all parts of the question for question 1 and either question 2 or 3 .

Number your answer carefully in the left margin of your answer script.

Start each part question on a fresh page.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each part of the question.

This question paper consists of 5 printed pages, including this page.

Section AAnswer all parts of question 1.

1. This question is about the Soviet Union under Stalin. Study the sources and then answer all the questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you were told to use. In answering the questions, you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

Source A: A cartoon produced by refugees from Stalin’s Soviet Union. It shows Stalin as the judge, the barrister (lawyer), the court clerk and the whole jury.

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Source B: An extract from a hymn composed by a Russian author in 1936.

Thank you Stalin. Thank you because I am joyful. Thank you because I am well. No matter how old I become, I shall never forget meeting Stalin two days ago. Centuries will pass, and the generations still to come will regard us as the happiest and most fortunate of men because we lived in the century of centuries, because we were privileged to see Stalin, our inspired leader.

Source C: A French cartoon about Stalin’s Russia, published in 1935. The words on the placard (sign) mean ‘’ We are very happy.”

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Source D: Extract from a child’s poem written by Lina Tartakovskaia during Stalin’s rule.

Stalin! Thou art dearer to us than anything in the world. Stalin! Thou art sweeter to us than anything in the world. We know that thou lovest us, too, Lovest thou the children of the proletariat.

Taken from Paul Kiem, (1993), Skills in Modern History, Science Press, Australia.

Source E. Extract from Stalin’s speech on agricultural policy, 1929.

C Can we advance our socialized industry at an accelerated rate as long as we ha have an agricultural base incapable of expanded reproduction? No, we cannot.Th The solution is to introduce collective farms and state farms in agriculture, the

way which h leads to the amalgamation of the small peasant farms into large collective farms, employing machinery and scientific methods of farming, and pa capable of developing further… Now we are able to carry on a determined offensive against the Kulaks, to break their resistance, to eliminate them as a class and substitute for their output the output of the collective farms and state farms.

Taken from Paul Kiem, (1993), Skills in Modern History, Science Press, Australia.

(a) Study Source A. What is the message of the cartoon? Explain your answer using details of the cartoon. [5]

L1 Describes the cartoon but no valid inference made (1)

The cartoon shows Stalin pointing a gun at a peasant.

L2 Valid inference(s) from the cartoon, unsupported by the cartoon (2-3)

From Source A I can infer that the message of the cartoon was to tell us that Stalin had complete control over the legal proceedings of the country and the outcome was predetermined.

From Source A I can infer that the message of the cartoon was to tell us that anyone who was placed on trial would definitely be punished.

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L3 Valid inference(s) from the cartoon, supported by the cartoon (3-4)Award 3m for 1 inference supported and 4m for 2 inferences supported. From Source A I can infer that the message of the cartoon was to tell us that Stalin had complete control over the legal proceedings of the country and the outcome was predetermined. This can be seen from Source A which shows the courtroom at a show trial. In the courtroom Stalin is everyone including the judge, and the whole jury, thus telling us that Stalin had complete control over the court proceedings.

L4 Moves on from L3 understanding the message of the cartoon and puts into

context. (5)ORExplains the purpose of the carton or an outcome that the message produces in the audience.

From Source A we can infer that the outcome of the message of the cartoon was to portray a negative image of Stalin so as to gain support against his rule. This can be seen from the provenance as it is drawn by refugees, suggesting that these people were persecuted under Stalin’s rule and was therefore against Stalin’s rule. The cartoon seems to portray Stalin as someone who had total control over what was going to happen, thus viewing him as a dictator who decided the fate of those who were put on trial.

(b) Study Sources B and C. How similar are both sources as evidence about Stalin’s rule? Explain your answer. [6]

L1 Difference and / OR similarity based on provenance/ source type / lifts from source / failed comparison. (1)

e.g. Source B is a speech by a Russian while Source C is a French cartoon.

L2 Identifies differences and / OR similarity based on source content. (2)Award 2m for at least 1 unsupported difference.

Source B and C are similar as they tell us that the people living under Stalin were happy.

L3 Supports differences OR similarities based on source content supported. (3)

Source B and C are similar in telling us that the people living under Stalin were contented. This can be seen from Source B which states that “Thank you Stalin. Thank you because I am joyful.” which implies that the Russian living under Stalin was happy. This is complemented in Source C which shows a person holding a placard meaning “we are very happy.”

Or

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Source B and C are different in telling us about the circumstances which led to the people’s happiness. Source B seems to suggest that the Russian was genuinely happy under Stalin as Stalin treated them very well and were honoured to have Stalin as their leader. This can be seen from the source which tells us that “Centuries will pass, and the generations still to come will regard us as the happiest and most fortunate of men because we lived in the century of centuries, because we were privileged to see Stalin, our inspired leader”. This seems to suggest that the people looked up to Stalin as he treated them well. However Source C contradicts Source B by portraying a Russia forced to carry a placard labeled ” We are Happy”. The person in the form of a skeleton is forced a gun point to show the placard , telling people that he is happy, which in actual fact, he was not. Thus Source B tells us that the people were genuinely happy while Source C tells us that the people were forced to show that they were happy.

L4 Supports differences AND similarities based on source content. (3-5)

Award 3 m for 1similarity AND 1 difference but with weak supporting details. Award 4m for 1 similarity AND 1 difference with strong supporting details from either side. Award 5m for 1 similarity AND 1 difference with strong supporting details on both sides.

L5 As L4 and viewpoint / perspective / tone / purpose (5-6)

Source B and C are different in purpose. Source B was composed by a pro- Stalin author. The purpose of Source B is to portray Stalin as someone who looked after the welfare of the people, thus gaining support for his rule while Source C’s purpose is to portray Stalin as one who exploited his people through gunpoint, thus painting a negative picture of Stalin, gaining support against his rule. Source C is also a French cartoon which was anti- Stalin in nature.

(c) Study Source D. How reliable is Source D as evidence about the child’s view of Stalin? Explain your answer. [7]

L1 Provenance (1) Yes, I can believe it to a certain extent. It is from a Russian child during Stalin’s rule.

Or

No it is not reliable as it is biased source. L2 Uncritical acceptance of content (2-3)Yes, it is reliable. It says “Stalin! Thou art dearer to us than anything in the world.”

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L3 Unsupported assertions of bias OR Reliability affected by date of source (3)e.g. of unsupported assertions of bias - I do not think this is likely to be reliable evidence about the causes as it is written by Russian child who was a strong supporter of Stalin who lived during Stalin’s time. It is bound to be a biased account that tells us how Stalin treated children during his regime.

L4 Cross reference to other sources or specific contextual knowledge to confirm And / OR challenge what the source says.(4)e.g. No I cannot believe this source on the Russian view of Stalin as it only portrays a loving image of Stalin. This can be seen from the sentence “Stalin! Thou art dearer to us than anything in the world.” This seems to tell us that the Russians loved Stalin. From my contextual knowledge we know that this is not completely true as Stalin conducted purges to weed out people who disagreed with Stalin, especially those in the Communist Party who might lead opposition to demand for reform. Many of those purged were arrested for ‘crimes’ and executed or sent to work in labour camps in isolated parts of the USSR like Siberia .

or

I can believe this Source as it portrays a loving image of Stalin. This can be seen from the sentence “Stalin! Thou art dearer to us than anything in the world.” This seems to tell us that the Russians loved Stalin. From my contextual knowledge Stalin created a cult around him. The people around him loved him and saw him as a god. When people started worshiping Stalin as a god, he was given ultimate power. Through the cult of personality Stalin was able to set up his personal dictatorship and run unopposed and unquestioned.

L5 L4 with Evaluation of source content using provenance / purpose / audience etc. (4-5) I cannot believe this source completely as it tends to portray a false image of Stalin, one who was loving. Its purpose was to gain support for Stalin’s rule and thus tend to give a biased account of Stalin’s regime, giving only the children’s point of view.

L6 L4 and L5, that is, Cross reference to other sources or specific contextual knowledge to confirm And / OR challenge what the source says + Evaluation of source content using provenance / purpose / audience etc. (5-6)

(d) Study Source E. How useful is Source E as evidence about the aims of Stalin’s agricultural policy? Explain your answer. [7]

L1Useful/Not useful based on source type / provenance - general. (1) It is useful as it is a speech by Stalin in 1929.

L2Not useful based on source content, that is, what is missing in content. (1-2)Award 1m if missing content is not specified, e.g. This source is not useful as it does not tell us the other aims of Stalin’s agricultural policies.

ictures, statues, continuous praise and

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Award 2m if missing content IS specified with no conclusion drawn.e.g. I don’t think this source is very useful because it does not tell me that one of the aims of his agricultural policy was to make the Soviet Union strong enough to be safe from attacks from the West. He wanted it to become a developed country that could hold its own against the West.

OR

U Useful based on source content, WITHOUT drawing conclusions about Stalin (2)

It is useful as it tells us that: “Can we advance our socialized industry at an accelerated rate as long as we have an agricultural base incapable of expanded reproduction? No, we cannot.”

L3 Both aspects of L2 (3)

L4Useful based on source content that draws conclusions about the aims of Stalin agricultural policy. (3-4)e.g. This source is very useful. It tells me that’ “Can we advance our socialized industry at an accelerated rate as long as we have an agricultural base incapable of expanded reproduction? No, we cannot.” From this I can conclude that Stalin wanted to modernize the economy of the Soviet Union as he wanted to have an advanced economy capable of producing large amount of resources.

L5 draws conclusion on source content and limitations (4-5)

L6 As L5 + a consideration of the reliability of the source (6-7) This source is very useful. It tells me that’ “Can we advance our socialized industry

at an accelerated rate as long as we ave an agricultural base incapable of expanded reproduction? No, we cannot. From this I can conclude that Stalin wanted to modernize the economy of the Soviet Union as he wanted to have an advanced economy capable of producing large amount of resources. This source is reliable as it was a speech by Stalin himself in 1929 as leader of the Soviet Union and Stalin did want his economy to progress. That was one of the reasons why he introduced the Five Year Plans and Collectivization.

.

NOTE : Evaluation of source on its own should score L4/4.

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Section B (Structured Essay Questions)

Answer any one question.

2. This question is about the rise of communism.

(a) Were the weaknesses of the Provisional Government the main reason for the success of the Bolshevik Revolution in October 1917? Explain your answer. [12]

L1 writes about the Provisional Government but without focus on the question (1-2)

Award 1 mark for each detail to a maximum of 2 marks.

L2 Describes the given reason / other reasons / AND identifies other reason(s) (3-4)Award 3m for describing the given reason AND / OR identifying / describing other reasons. Award 4m for both. The provisional government lack authority as the government had not been elected. The government promised elections, but delayed them because there was no accurate electoral register.

L3 EXPLAINS THE GIVEN REASON OR OTHER REASON (S) (4-6)

Award 6m for an explanation and additional marks for any supporting detail to a maximum of 8m

Weaknesses of the provisional government was the main reason for the success of the Bolshevik Revolution. The government was weak and did not provide the people with what they wanted. It was unable to take Russia out of the war, or bring about the necessary reforms. The changes it did make like introducing freedom of speech, just made Russia harder to govern. The weaknesses of the Provisional Government meant that even if it wanted to, it could not make the sweeping changes that many hoped for, such as giving land to the peasants. Also it controlled a small part of Russia only. Thus the Bolsheviks were able to capitalize on these weaknesses and succeeded in gaining power in the Revolution of October 1917.

Or

Lenin’s policy of Peace, Land and Bread also gained the support of many peasants. This was something everyone could under understand and support. They wanted Russia out of the war. The peasants wanted to own their own land: and everyone wanted the food shortages to end. Thus Lenin’s slogans contributed to the success of the Bolsheviks as the people were able to identify with Lenin’s slogans as their

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most urgent needs were met and thus supported Lenin in the October 1917 revolution.

Or

There was growing Bolshevik support in the soviets which led to their success in the October revolution of 1917. Bolshevik influence in the factories and the armed forces rapidly recovered from the setback of July. In the elections in August to the Petrograd City Duma, the Bolsheviks increased their vote from 19 per cent to 33 per cent. Whole Menshevik branches switched allegiance to the Bolsheviks. A Menshevik newspaper explained that this was because the government had not given the masses any concrete results.

The Bolsheviks had also recognized the importance of winning peasant support by adapting their own policy of land nationalization to one of ‘Land to the Peasants’. Since most soldiers were peasants, this was essential. The change caused a split amongst the SRs, traditionally the peasants’ voice. A breakaway group, known as the left SRs who had grown increasingly disillusioned with the Provisional Government, now supported the Bolsheviks, leading to their success in the October 1917 revolution.

L4 BOTH ELEMENTS OF L3 (6-10)Award 6 marks for answers which explain the given reason and identify / describe other factor(s).Award 7-10 marks for explanations of the given AND other reason(s).DO NOT award 10 marks unless more than ONE additional factor is explained. Given W(weak but sound)+1 or 2 W = 7mGiven W + S (strong and sound) = 8Given S +1 S = 9Given S +2 S = 10NOTE : Given reason MUST be explained

L5 CONSTRUCTS AN EXPLANATION WHICH CONSIDERS THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A RANGE OF REASONS OR COMPARATIVE IMPORTANCE (10-12)Award 10m for weak but sound attempt, 11m for a sound attempt and 12m for strong and sound attempt

(b) How far was the New Economic Policy responsible for Lenin staying in power from 1917 to 1924? Explain your answer. [13]

L1 Assertions lacking valid contextual support (1-2)

L2 Describes the given factor (3-5)Award 3m for one description and additional marks for further details to a maximum of 5m.

The New Economic Policy was responsible for Lenin staying in power as it

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comprised of the requisition of grain and the legalization of small businesses. The peasants were also required to pay a tax to the government which was eventually set at 10 per cent of their crop.

L3 AGREES WITH THE STATEMENT AND EXPLAINS (5-7)Award 5m for an explanation and additional marks for any supporting detail, to a maximum of 7m.

The New Economic Policy was responsible for Lenin staying in power as it was aimed at building an alliance with the peasants. It was introduced at a time when the Kronstadt mutiny was at its height. It was clear to everyone that the government faced a national emergency. Drastic action was needed if the communists were to retain power. Thus the New economic Policy was introduced to introduce capitalism into the economy. It comprised of the reintroduction of a free market, in which peasants were able to sell any extra surplus. Workers were offered extra food or money for extra work done. Anyone could open a shop, or sell or hire goods. Peasants could sell off surplus food, paying only a 10% tax on the profit. This would enable them to make profits. Small businesses were also legalized. This new policy put an end to armed resistance in the countryside. Those groups, which had already rebelled were put down ruthlessly. Farmers and workers returned to work and the immediate crisis was lifted. In 1922 the government introduced a new currency to replace the old, devalued rouble. At least people at that time had the incentive to sell food and other goods again. Despite the unhappiness of many members of the party, Lenin authority and tight control over the proceedings at the Congress ensured its acceptance. Thus Lenin was able to stay in power under his death in 1924 as many peasants were able to make their own living leading to an end to thoughts of resistance as their basic needs were met.

OR

DISAGREES WITH THE STATEMENT AND EXPLAINS (5-7) However there were other factors which were responsible for Lenin staying in power. One of them was the establishment of a one party government for the removal of any threat. When the Bolsheviks came to power, a one party government known as the Sovnarkom was set up, the Soviet of People’s Commissars. The Sovnarkon set up its own secret police force, Cheka, the all Russian Extraordinary Commission for combating counter-revolution and sabotage, headed by the fanatical Bolshevik Dzerzhinsky. The Cheka used to arrest opponents on the left and even more Social Revolutionaries after they tried an unsuccessful coup. Many who opposed Lenin were executed without trial and others were sent to labour camps, thus Lenin was able to stay in power as those who opposed him were executed, minimizing the threat of revolution. Decrees were also passed during the first few weeks after the October Revolution. The Sovnarkon also quickly passed the Land Reform Decree announcing that forced the wealthy owners to give up their land to be shared among the peasants. This would ensure that the people would support the Bosheviks to enable them to stay in power as it was what the people wanted.

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The Decree on Peace was also passed. The people wanted an end to the war, and Lenin wanted an immediate peace. This would ensure support for Lenin as peace would prevail over the Soviet Union and the people’s lives would be back to normal under Lenin’s rule.

L4 CONSIDERS ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE STATEMENT (7-11)Combination of both sides of L3.1W(weak but sound)+1/2 W = 8 1S +2 S = 111W+1 S(strong and sound) = 9 1S + 1S = 10NOTE : Given reason MUST be explained Award 7m if given reason is explained and the other side identified / and describe.

L5 AS L4, BUT REACHES A BALANCED CONCLUSION EXPLICITLY ADDRESSING ‘HOW FAR’ (11-13)

3. This question is about rise and fall of Mikhail Gorbachev.

(a) Were economic problems the main reason for the implementation of Gorbachev’s reforms from 1986? Explain your answer. [12]

L1 Writes about the economic problems but without focus on the question (1-2)Award 1 mark for each detail to a maximum of 2 marks.

L2 Describes the given reason / other reasons / AND identifies other reason(s) (3-4)Award 3m for describing the given reason AND / OR identifying / describing other reasons. Award 4m for both. The Soviet economy was not performing efficiently. The factories were not producing the quality consumer goods which the Soviet people knew were part of the lifestyle of the West. They wanted televisions, radios and fashionable clothes, but could not get them. This led to an increase in prices as consumer goods became scare, leading to a development of a black market developed in the Soviet Union.

Lost in faith in political system and lack of openness also led to Gorbachev’s reforms.

L3 EXPLAINS THE GIVEN REASON OR OTHER REASON (S) (4-6)

Award 6m for an explanation and additional marks for any supporting detail to a maximum of 8mEconomic problems of the Soviet Union led to the implementation of Gorbachev’s Perestroika from 1987. The Soviet economy was not performing efficiently. The factories were not producing the quality consumer goods which the Soviet people knew were part of the lifestyle of the West. They wanted televisions, radios and fashionable clothes, but could not get them. This led to an increase in prices as consumer goods became scare, leading to a development of a black market developed in the Soviet Union. In 1985, Ivestita (a Soviet newspaper) estimated that

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this black market was worth seven billion roubles a year, though the real figure was probably much higher. All these sales on the black market meant that the government was not receiving income from taxation on sales. Thus there was a need to end the command economy and replace it with a demand economy so that companies could produce more of what the people wanted. This meant ending state monopolies and introducing competition to encourage more companies to produce the same type of goods so as to keep the prices down so that more people could afford to purchase these goods.

Another major problem facing the Soviet Union was that it was simply not wealthy enough to play the role of a superpower. It was competing with the USA which was the wealthiest country in the world. It spent huge sums of money competing with the USA. It had tried to win prestige in the space race at enormous cost. It had also spent billions of roubles on developing nuclear arms. It had provided financial support for other communist countries around the world, such as Cuba, and from 1979, had spent huge sums fighting a war in Afghanistan. The Soviet Union needed to export manufactured goods to pay for this heavy involvement, but the goods it had to offer were of low quality to attract western buyers. Thus there was a need to to produce high quality goods to improve the living standards of the people.

Political problems also led to implementation of Gorbachev’s reforms like Glasnost. The Soviet system of government, communism, was based upon belief in equality and fairness. By 1985, many Soviet citizens had lost faith in that political system. There was a lack of openness and policies were just imposed on the people without any discussion. The people did not get to elect their own leaders. The people could see that there was great corruption in the way the state was governed. Senior members of the Communist party often lived in great luxury and had access to consumer goods which were not available to ordinary Soviet citizens. Gorbachev wanted more glasnost (openness) in government to restore faith in the system of government and end corruption. Soviet citizens should be kept informed of why decisions were made, not just kept informed of why decisions were imposed on them. Gorbachev thus tried to solve this by openly meeting the people. He was the first Soviet leader to be seen in the streets of Moscow meeting Soviet citizens and arguing with them about changes he was making. The USSR entered into a period of freer discussion and debate, thus creating openness in the Soviet Union as people had a say in the running of the country.

. L4 BOTH ELEMENTS OF L3 (6-10)

Award 6 marks for answers which explain the given reason and identify / describe other factor(s).Award 7-10 marks for explanations of the given AND other reason(s).DO NOT award 10 marks unless more than ONE additional factor is explained. Given W(weak but sound)+1 or 2 W = 7mGiven W + S (strong and sound) = 8Given S +1 S = 9Given S +2 S = 10NOTE : Given reason MUST be explained

L5 CONSTRUCTS AN EXPLANATION WHICH CONSIDERS THE INTER-

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A RANGE OF REASONS OR COMPARATIVE IMPORTANCE (10-12)

Award 10m for weak but sound attempt, 11m for a sound attempt and 12m for strong

(b) How far was opposition from communist hardliners responsible for the failure of Gorbachev’s reforms? Explain your answer.

[13]

L1 Assertions lacking valid contextual support (1-2)

L2 Describes the given factor.(3-5)Award 3m for one description and additional marks for further details to a maximum of 5m OR Award 3m for one description and additional marks for more than one description to a max. of 5m.The Communists were horrified by what Gorbachev was doing. By introducing market forces into the economy, he was going against the principles of communism which had governed the Soviet Union for 70 years.

L3 AGREES WITH THE STATEMENT AND EXPLAINS (5-7)Award 5m for an explanation and additional marks for any supporting detail, to a maximum of 7m. Opposition from communist hardliners led to the failure of Gorbachev’s reforms. By introducing market forces into the economy, he was against the principles of communism which had governed the Soviet Union for 70 years. They also believed that he was endangering the security of the country by reducing the armaments and withdrawing support to other communist countries. His decision to allow the Warsaw Pact countries to decide their own future was extremely dangerous as they might chose to abandon communism. Thus many opposed Gorbachev’s reforms which resulted in a coup in August 1991, when a group of hardliners attempted a coup against him.

OR

DISAGREES WITH THE STATEMENT AND EXPLAINS (5-7)

Nationalist pressures also led to the failure of Gorbachev’s reforms. The Soviet Union was a federal state consisting of 15 separate republics each with its own parliament. The Russian republic was just one of the 15, with its parliament in Moscow. The republics had been kept under tight control since Stalin’s time, but glasnost and perestroika encouraged them to hope for more powers for their parliaments and more independence from Moscow. Gorbachev himself seemed sympathetic, provided that the Communist Party of the Soviet Union remained in control. However, once started, demands got out of hand leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union, indicating a failure of Gorbachev’s reforms.

Gorbachev’s economic reforms did not work because corruption and inefficiency ran

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so deep that people were not willing to make changes that were necessary to reform the Soviet Union. For example, many managers thought that increased efficiency would threaten their own jobs so they simply made sure that the reforms were not carried out.

(also can explain opposition from the Soviet people, lack of support from the west and the speed of the reforms.)

L4 CONSIDERS ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE STATEMENT (7-11)Combination of both sides of L3.1W(weak but sound)+1/2 W = 8 1S +2 S = 111W+1 S(strong and sound) = 91S + 1S = 10NOTE : Given reason MUST be explained Award 7m if given reason is explained and the other side identified / and describe.

L5 AS L4, BUT REACHES A BALANCED CONCLUSION EXPLICITLY ADDRESSING ‘HOW FAR’ (11-13)Award 11m for weak but sound attempt, 12m for a sound attempt and 13m for strong and sound attempt

+++++++++++++ End of Answer Scheme++++++++++++

others taught their children that Stalin was ‘the wisest man of the

History books and photographs were changed to make him the hero of

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er +++++++++++++

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