General & CreditExam Questions

Stalin

In Source A a young communist, who took part in the collectivisation of land under Stalin, describes events in one Russian village.

Source A

A large crowd gathered outside the building. It was like a scene from a nightmare. In the background soldiers with revolvers drawn guarded about twenty young and old kulaks. A number of women and children were weeping hysterically. So this was how the kulaks were to be wiped out. A lot of simple peasants being sent to some distant labour camp.

1. What does the author of Source A think of the way kulaks were treated? Give reasons for your answer.

4 marks

1999G

In Source A a young communist, who took part in the collectivisation of land under Stalin, describes events in one Russian village.

A large crowd gathered outside the building. It was like a scene from a nightmare. In the background soldiers with revolvers drawn guarded about twenty young and old kulaks. A number of women and children were weeping hysterically. So this was how the kulaks were to be wiped out. A lot of simple peasants being sent to some distant labour camp.

2. To what extent do Sources A & B agree about the treatment of the kulaks? 4 marks

1999G

Source B is taken from a speech by Stalin about the treatment of the kulaks.We must smash the kulaks. We must strike at the kulaks so hard as to prevent them rising to their feet again. We must show no mercy and wipe them out as a social class.

Source C is a Soviet government photograph from the 1930s. The word on the banner are “We demand collectivisation and the wiping out of the Kulaks”.

3. How useful is Source A as evidence of how Russian peasants felt about Stalin’s policy of collectivisation?

4 marks

2007C

Source D is from “Russia and the USSR, 1905-1956” by Nigel Kelly.

The Purges dominated politics in the USSR in the 1930s. Even now, historians argue over the causes. Stalin held show trials in which leading Communists confessed to trying to overthrow the government. Few, if any, of these people were guilty of the crimes to which they confessed. Their confessions often followed months of torture or a false promise that they would not be executed if they confessed. Thousands of other party members were sent to labour camps.

4. How fully does Source D describe Stalin’s Purges?

You must use evidence from the source and your own knowledge and give reasons for your answer. 4 marks

2007C

In Source E Stalin explains his reasons for carrying out purges of Russia’s enemies.

We should always fear out capitalist enemies. They cruelly attacked us in the Civil War. We must be ready to destroy them. They send spies into the land of our Soviet Union. We must use new methods for smashing and uprooting them. We must always be concerned about enemies inside Russia. I am convinced that we must use the most ruthless kinds of suppression. I know you will all support me.

5. What was Stalin's attitude towards dealing with Russia’s enemies?

3 marks

2009G

In Source E Stalin explains his reasons for carrying out purges of Russia’s enemies.

We should always fear out capitalist enemies. They cruelly attacked us in the Civil War. We must be ready to destroy the. They send spies into the land of our Soviet Union. We must use new methods for smashing and uprooting them. We must always be concerned about enemies inside Russia. I am convinced that we must use the most ruthless kinds of suppression. I know you will all support me.

6. How far do Sources E & F agree about Stalin’s Purges?4 marks

2009G

Source F describes the Purges carried out by Stalin.

The Great Purges after 1934 showed how ruthless Stalin was. Stalin was suspicious of everyone. The fear of a war against the capitalist West led to thousands of deaths inside Russia. Many of the old Bolsheviks confessed to fantastic crimes. Army officers confessed they were German spies and were immediately executed. Many others were sent to labour camps.