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NAME REG. NO. CLASS

SERANGOON GARDEN SECONDARY SCHOOLMID-YEAR EXAMINATION (2017)

SUBJECT: COMBINED HUMANITIES (HISTORY ELECTIVE)

PAPER NO: 2120/3

LEVEL: SECONDARY 4 NORMAL (ACADEMIC)

DATE: 4 MAY 2017 (THURSDAY)

TIME: 0800 – 0940

DURATION: 1 HOUR 40 MINUTES

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATESWrite your name and index number on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen.Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.

Section A – Answer all questions. Section B – Answer only one question.ection B – Answer all parts of Question 2. Write all your answers on the writing paper provided. At the end of the examination, hand in your answer scripts and this question paper separately.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATESThe number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. The total number of marks for this paper is 50.

This question paper consists of 6 printed pages and 0 blank page.Setter: Mr Steven Wong Vetter: Ms Pauline Wong

[Turn over

FOR MARKER’S USE

50

___________________________ ___________ Name/Signature of Parent/Guardian Date

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Section A: Source-based Case Study (30m)

Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates.

Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, 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 are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

1 (a) Study Source A.

What is Source A trying to tell us about Hitler’s rise to power? Use the source and your knowledge to support your answer. [5]

(b) Study Source B.

Why did the Nazis publish this poster? Use the source and your knowledge to support your answer. [5]

(c) Study Sources C and D.

How far does Source C support Source D? Explain your answer. [6]

(d) Study Source E.

(e)

How far does this source help you to understand how Hitler rose to power? Explain your answer. [6]

Study all the sources.

‘Hitler used force to rise to the position of Führer.’ How far do these sources support this view? Use the sources and your knowledge to explain your answer. [8]

How did Hitler rise to the position of Führer?

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions.

The Great Depression of 1929 provided Hitler with an opportunity to seize power in Germany. Hitler relied on the people to support him and the Nazi party. He reorganized the Nazi party, employed his personal bodyguards in the form of the SA (Stormtroopers or Sturmabteilung) and SS (Defence Corps or Schutzstaffel)) to attack his opponents and made extensive use of propaganda to sway public opinion. So did all these help Hitler rise to the position of Führer?_______________________________________________________________________

Source A: A British political cartoon published in 1933.

Note: President Hindenburg is on the left and Chancellor Von Papen is on the right

Source B: A Nazi poster published in 1932.

Brown Shirts or the Sturmabteilung (SA)

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Work and Bread Through Slate 1 (Slate 1 is the number given to the group of party candidates from the Nazi Party)

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Source C: An observation made by an American businessman to Germany during the time of Hitler’s rule, 1934.

The National Socialist* Secret Police made silent arrests. Late at night and early in the morning they took man after man….

As accurately as I could learn, this is how the arrests were made. The door-bell or knocker sounded. There stood two, or at most three, tall men with pairs of pistols in their belts… The chosen hour was one at which they would find the wanted man relaxed, surprising him at a meal or in bed.

Other members of the household behaved as if hypnotized. They had no faith that he would have any chance of freeing himself by any legal means. Their minds were filled with memories of what they knew of others who had been taken in this way, disappearing forever, returned in a closed coffin, or, if let out alive, coming back starved in body and crazed in mind.

National Socialist – Nazi Party

Source D: An extract from an interview in the 1980s with a German woman who remembers her mother’s attitude towards the Nazis.

There were those who believed in the Fuehrer as a savior and were hypnotized by him. My mother, for example. Once she handed some flowers to Hitler. It was the high point of her life. She was convinced that everything the Nazis did was right and essential. Nothing would shake her faith in Hitler. She accepted the explanation given by the Party about the need for concentration camps; that useless and good-for-nothing members of society had to be cleared off the streets. Criminals could be re-educated in the camps to do honest work. They would be taught discipline and cleanliness. And of course, nobody would be harmed.

Source E: An adapted extract from the account by the Head of the German Girl’s League*, on hearing Hitler speak, 1927.

It was a huge hall and everyone was waiting for Hitler to arrive... I must say it was an electrifying atmosphere. Even before 1933, everybody was waiting for him as if he was a saviour. Then he went to the podium. I remember it all went quiet and he started to speak in his serious voice. Calm, slow and then he got more and more enthusiastic. I must admit, I can't remember exactly what he actually said. But my impression afterwards was: this is a man who does not want anything for himself, but only thinks about how he can help the German people.

*Girls’ wing of Hitler’s Nazi Youth Programme ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------AcknowledgementsSource A: Taken from http://punch.photoshelter.com/image/I0000pcL2kFRRDAg.Source B: Taken from http://westerncivilizationandculture.blogspot.sg/2009/05/hitler-myth-socialists-and-social.htmlSource C: Taken from https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/88374251/Source D: Taken from https://schoolhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=5816.Source E: Taken from http://spartacus-educational.com/ExamRHU8.htm

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Section B: Structured-Essay Questions (20m)

Answer one question.

2. This question is on Stalin and Communist Soviet Union.

(a) Describe how Stalin’s collectivisation scheme and Five-Year Plans impacted the people. [8]

(b) Explain how each of the following factors helped Stalin rise to power:

(i) Trotsky’s unpopularity in the Politburo;

(ii) Stalin’s manipulations. [12]

3. This question is on the development of the Cold War.

(a) Describe how the Cold War manifested in the Berlin Blockade and the military alliances. [8]

(b) Explain how each of the following factors worsened relations between the USA and the Soviet Union:

(i) Establishment of Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe;

(ii) Marshall Plan. [12]

- End of Paper -

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Common Test 1 (2017)Sec 4 Normal (Academic) Combined Humanities History Elective (2120/3)

Level of Response Marking Scheme (LORMS)Section A: Source-Based Case Study (30m)

1 (a) Study Source A

What is Source A trying to tell us about Hitler’s rise to power? Use the source and your knowledge to support your answer.

Level of Response Level Descriptors and Rubrics Marks

AllocatedL1 Describes the source

E.g. This source shows me Hitler being supported by President Hindenburg and Von Papen.

1

L2 Inferences, unsupportedAward 2 marks for 1 unsupported inference, and an additional mark for 2nd unsupported inference

E.g. 1: This source shows that Hitler was helped to power

E.g. 2: This source tells me that Hitler’s rise was due to favourable circumstances

E.g. 3: This tells me that Hitler used violence to rise to power

2 – 3

L3 Inferences, supportedAward 4 marks for 1 inference, supported, and an additional mark for 2nd supported inference

E.g. 1: [Inference] Source A suggests that Hitler’s rise to power was because he was supported by President Hindenburg and Von Papen – this suggests that Hitler did not rise to power based on his own merits and abilities, but because the circumstances worked to his favour. [Evidence] From the Source, all three men in the picture look uncomfortable, and there seems to be slight displeasure at Hitler. Also, this source is entitled ‘The Temporary Triangle’ which suggests that their cooperation will not last. [Explanation] Hindenburg and Von Papen saw Hitler as their victory card to help them win the elections. Even though neither Hindenburg nor Von Papen liked the appointment, there was no other candidate to turn to for popular support – they needed Hitler to help them win votes to secure a victory in the upcoming elections. Also, both men thought that they would be able to control Hitler after appointing him to be the Chancellor. Thus, this suggests that Hitler rose to power because of politicking, and not because of the fear of communism.

4 – 5

8

E.g. 2:[Inference] Hitler used the SA to pressure his political opponents into submission. [Evidence Hitler is propped up by Hindenburg and Von Papen which suggests he was helped to power. Also, the large number of SA troops / Brown Shirts standing behind the trio suggests Hitler’s use of force to bend people to his will. The SA also had the strength / muscle to disrupt meetings. [Explanation] The SA or Brown Shirts were thugs who would use violence to eliminate political rivals; they especially targeted the communists. This suggests that Hitler’s popularity in 1933 was partly derived from his use of muscle to quell opponents.

1 (b) Study Source B.

Why did the Nazis published this poster? Use the sources and your knowledge to support your answer. [5]

Note: the question asks ‘Why?’ The mark scheme only rewards reasons.

Level of Response Level Descriptors and Rubrics Marks

AllocatedL1 Describes information from source

E.g. The source wanted to tell us that there is Work and Bread Through Slate 1.

1

L2 Context

E.g. The Nazis published this poster to get the German voters to support them and vote for them in the upcoming election at that time.

2

L3 Message

E.g. The Nazis published this poster to tell the German voters that if they vote for the Nazis in the upcoming election at that time, the Nazis would be able to provide work and bread for the Germans.

3

L4 Purpose, supportedAward 5 marks for explanation of purpose, i.e. identifies audience + message + intended outcome onlyAward 5 marks for a more thorough explanation of purpose + context, i.e. identifies audience + message + intended outcome + context

E.g. (4 marks)The Nazis published this poster to persuade [verb] the German voters [audience] to vote for the Nazis in the upcoming election [intended outcome] as the Nazis would be able to provide work and bread for the Germans if they become the government [supporting details].

4 – 5

9

E.g. (5 marks)As an election was coming at that time [context], the Nazis published this poster to persuade [verb] the German voters [audience] to vote for the Nazis in the upcoming election [intended outcome] as the Nazis would be able to provide work and bread for the Germans if they become the government [supporting details].

1 (c) Study Sources C and D.

How far does Source C support Source D? Explain your answer. [6]

Level of Response

LEVEL DESCRIPTOR AND RUBRICS Marks Allocation

L1 Identifies similarities/differences based on provenance and topice.g. Source C supports Source D as both are talking about what happened during Hitler’s rule.

1

L2 Similarity/Difference based on content, unsupported Award 2 m for 1 similarity/difference, supported.Award 3 m for 1 similarity and 1 difference, supported.

Source C supports Source D in saying that Hitler ensured that the opposition and unwanted elements in the country were dealt with.

Source C does not support Source D in stating the ways by which Hitler dealt with his opponents and undesirables in the country..

2 – 3

L3 Similarity/Difference based on content, supportedAward 4 m for 1 similarity/difference, supported.Award 5 m for 1 similarity and 1 difference, supported.

Source C supports Source D in saying that Hitler ensured that the opposition and unwanted elements in the country were dealt with. Source C says, “this is how the arrests were made. The door-bell or knocker sounded. There stood two, or at most three, tall men with pairs of pistols in their belts.” Similarly Source D says, “She accepted the explanation given by the Party about the need for concentration camps; that useless and good-for-nothing members of society had to be cleared off the streets.” Source C supports Source D in saying that Hitler took effective measures to consolidate his power by dealing with unwanted elements and the undesirables in the country.

OR

Source C does not support Source D in stating the ways by which Hitler dealt with his opponents and undesirables in the country. Source C says,“Their minds were filled with memories of what they knew of others who had been taken in this way disappearing forever, returned in a closed coffin, or, if let out alive, coming back starved in body and crazed in mind.” On the other hand, Source D says, “Criminals would be re-educated in the camps to do honest work. They would be taught discipline and cleanliness. And of course nobody would be harmed.” Source C tells me

4 – 5

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that Hitler dealt severely with his opponents and undesirables and even eliminated them but Source D tells me that Hitler attempted to reform them without harming them.

L4 Evaluate How Far?Based on perspective and content

Source C does not support Source D due to different perspectives. Source C is from the perspective of American businessman who would be able to report the true conditions in Germany during the rule of Hitler as it was observations made by him during his visit to Germany during the rule of Hitler. However Source D is about a German woman mother’s perspective living during the rule of Hitler, who is convinced by the propaganda of Nazi regime. So she would not be able to see the negative aspects of Hitler’s rule.

Or

Sources C and D support each other because both are able to understand the true nature of Hitler’s rule. Source C is from the perspective of American businessman who would be able to report the true conditions in Germany during the rule of Hitler as it was observations made by him during his visit to Germany during the rule of Hitler. Similarly, Source D is a viewpoint of a German woman who in her hindsight can understand that her mother’s support to Hitler was due to the ways through which the Nazis hypnotized the German people to believe their propaganda.

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(d) Study Source E.

How far does this source help you understand how Hitler rose to power? Explain your answer. [6]

Level of Response

LEVEL DESCRIPTOR AND RUBRICS Marks Allocation

L1 Explains provenance, no use of source content, description of source, general comments

1

L2 Helps me understand (content) or/and does not help me understand (limitation)Award 2 marks for one side and award 3 marks for both sides.

Source E helps me understand how Hitler was able to control the people of Germany using his charismatic personality and oratory skills to rise to power. Source E says, “I must admit, I can't remember exactly what he actually said. But my impression afterwards was: this is a man who does not want anything for himself, but only thinks about how he can help the German people.”

Source E does not help me understand how Hitler rose to power as it is does not tell us about how Hitler also used propaganda, like posters, to persuade the Germans to support him.

2 – 3

11

L3 Helps me or does not help me understand, supported by cross-reference

Source E helps me understand how Hitler was able to control the people of Germany using his charismatic personality and oratory skills to rise to power. Source E says, “I must admit, I can't remember exactly what he actually said. But my impression afterwards was: this is a man who does not want anything for himself, but only thinks about how he can help the German people.”

By cross referencing, Source B shows the Nazis publishing the poster to persuade the German voters to vote for the Nazis in the upcoming election as the Nazis would be able to provide work and bread for the Germans if they become the government. This shows that Hitler used propaganda in his rise to power. Therefore, Source B contradicts Source E. Therefore, Source E is limited in helping me understand how Hitler rose to power.

or

Source E helps me understand how Hitler was able to control the people of Germany using his charismatic personality and oratory skills to rise to power. Source E says, “I must admit, I can't remember exactly what he actually said. But my impression afterwards was: this is a man who does not want anything for himself, but only thinks about how he can help the German people.”

This is supported by Source D which says, “She was convinced that everything the Nazis did was right and essential. Nothing would shake her faith in Hitler.” This implies that while Hitler and the Nazis employed various means to control the people of Germany, it was his charismatic personality and oratory skills which played an important role in winning the support of the German people and thereby making it easy for him to control them. Therefore, Source E is helps me understand how Hitler rose to power.

4 – 5

L4 Evaluating the source based on provenance, context and purpose

Source E is limited and does not help me understand to a large extent because it is an extract from the interview of a woman who was the head of a Nazi organization called the German Girls’ League. As a member of the Nazi party, she would be supportive of Hitler and the Nazi party. This would also have been reinforced by the privileges she would have received as the head of a Nazi organization. Hence, she would be biased towards Hitler and see him as a great leader. Source E, thus, presents one-sided, biased perspective thus reducing its utility in helping me understand how Hitler was able to control the people of Germany.

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(e) Study all the sources.

‘Hitler used force to rise to the position of Führer.’ How far do these sources support this view? Use the sources and your knowledge to explain your answer. [8]

Level of Response Level Descriptors and Rubrics Marks

AllocatedL1 Writes about the hypothesis, no valid source use 1

L2 Yes or No, supported by valid source useAward 2 marks for one Yes or No supported by valid source use, and an additional mark for each subsequent valid source use up to a maximum of 4 marks.

2 – 4

L3 Yes and No, supported by valid source useAward 5 marks for one Yes and No supported by valid source use, and an additional mark for each subsequent valid source use up to a maximum of 7 marks.

For L2 and L3, award a bonus of up to two marks (i.e. +1/+1) for use of contextual knowledge to question a source in relation to its reliability, sufficiency, etc. The total mark must not exceed 8.

Notes: To score in L2/L3, there must be source use, i.e., direct

reference to source content. Only credit source use where reference is made to a source

by letter or direct quote. Simply writing about issues in the sources is not enough.

Higher marks in L2/L3 to be awarded on numbers of sources used.

SupportSource A tells us that Hitler used the SA to force and pressure his political opponents into submission. Hitler is propped up by Hindenburg and Von Papen which suggests he was helped to power. Also, the large number of SA troops / Brown Shirts standing behind the trio suggests Hitler’s use of force to bend people to his will. The SA also had the strength / muscle to disrupt meetings. The SA or Brown Shirts were thugs who would use violence to eliminate political rivals; they especially targeted the communists. This suggests that Hitler’s popularity in 1933 was partly derived from his use of muscle to quell opponents. Therefore, Source A supports the view that Hitler used force to rise to the position of Führer.

Source C tells us that those arrested, probably threats to Hitler’s rule, ‘disappeared forever, returned in a closed coffin, or, if let out alive, come back starved in body and crazed in mind.’ Therefore, Source C supports the view that Hitler used force to rise to the position of Führer.

5 – 8

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Does not supportSource B tells us that Hitler used propaganda to rise to the position of Führer as it tells us that Nazis published the poster to persuade the German voters to vote for the Nazis in the upcoming election as the Nazis would be able to provide work and bread for the Germans if they become the government. Therefore, Source B does not support the view that Hitler used force to rise to the position of Führer. However, Source B could be unreliable as it is produced by the Nazis and had the ulterior motive to convince the readers to support and vote for them.

Source D tells us that Hitler used propaganda to rise to the position of Führer as it tells us that the mother of the author ‘was convinced that everything the Nazis did was right and essential.’ Therefore, Source D does not support the view that Hitler used force to rise to the position of Führer.

Source E tells us how Hitler was able to control the people of Germany using his charismatic personality and oratory skills to rise to the position of Führer. Source E says, “I must admit, I can't remember exactly what he actually said. But my impression afterwards was: this is a man who does not want anything for himself, but only thinks about how he can help the German people.” Therefore, Source E does not support the view that Hitler used force to rise to the position of Führer. However, Source E could be unreliable as it was from the Head of the German Girl’s League which would have supported Hitler whole-heartedly.

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Section B: Structured-Essay Questions (20m)

2. This question is on Stalin and Communist Soviet Union.

(a) Describe how Stalin’s collectivisation scheme and Five-Year Plans impacted the people. [8]

Level of Response

Level Descriptors and Rubrics Marks Allocated

L1 Describes Stalin’s ruleAnswers which describe the event without focus on the question. Award 1 mark for each detail up to a maximum of 2.

1 – 2

L2 Identifies OR describes how Stalin’s collectivisation scheme or/and Five-Year Plans impacted the peopleAward 3 marks for each identified aspect up to a maximum of 5 marks OR award 4 marks for one described aspect and 5 marks for 2 described aspects.

3 – 5

L3 Describes how Stalin’s collectivisation scheme and Five-Year Plans impacted the peopleAward 6 marks for describing one impact of collectivisation and Five-Year Plans and an additional mark for the depth of supporting information and the number of aspects covered.

CollectivisationBy 1935, almost all the farms in the Soviet Union were kolkhozy. Some collectives used the tractors they were sent, followed the new farming methods and worked hard. They had good production figures and the state used them as examples in radio and newspaper articles. Under collectivization, the state provided homes, food, fuel and clothing for the workers on the state-run farms. It also provided healthcare and education. The peasants were given modern machinery, such as tractors and trained to use efficient farming methods.

However, it is also under the system that Stalin took all farmland and set up huge state-run farms. The peasant workers kept enough to feed themselves and sold the rest to the state at a fixed price. Under collectivization, peasants could not own the land or sell food privately. The state fixed their hours and wages. Low production or absence from work resulted in punishment.

Despite a state campaign to persuade the peasants of the benefits of collectivisation, many resisted as they did not want to be forced into giving up their farms. Food production went down. In 1932, there was another famine and millions died of starvation. Stalin then sent soldiers to force collectivization on people. They took the land of the biggest farms. Those who did not agree to collectivization and giving up their food stores and animals were sent to labour camps or shot on the spot.

6 – 8

15

In some other collectives, the workers let the tractors rust in the fields, or could not mend them when they broke down. The tractors, built in the new factories by badly trained workers trying to reach high production targets, often broke down. When this happened, many peasants reverted to traditional, inefficient farming methods. Tthe overall development of the Soviet agricultural sector was severely hampered. It was only in the 1950s that Soviet agricultural production regained levels it had achieved in 1928.

Five-Year PlansThe Five-Year Plans were generally perceived as a success and helped to propel Soviet Union forward to become an industrial base for powerful arms industry by 1941. Before Stalin’s policies, the Soviet Union was a backward country. Agriculture was backward and there was very little social welfare. He also knew that the Western powers hated Communism and that they would attack the Soviet Union if they got a chance. So, collectivisation was introduced into the countryside to make sure that sufficient food was produced to feed the industrial workers. Through the Five-Year plans and a huge programme of industrialisation, he was able to turn Soviet Union into a modern superpower so that it withstood Hitler’s attack in 1941. He had new cities built, and started things like crèches for working mothers. Thus, the standard of living of the workers began to rise. Without Stalin, the country would never have become a great power.

However, as with collectivisation, the state set quotas for producing such machinery and other factory goods and the targets were often not met. They punished workers they thought were not working hard enough by cutting their rations. The working hours and wages of factory workers were also fixed and do workers had to work long hours for little pay. People were crowded into the new industrial towns to live and work in appalling conditions. Living conditions, especially at first, were cramped, often with no running water or sanitation. People were uprooted from their homes and sent to work wherever workers were needed. One problem with trying to industrialise and increase production so quickly was that the quality of goods suffered. Unskilled workers were recruited into industrial work. They were trained on the job by workers who were often slightly more skilled. With a huge emphasis on rapid production but poorly skilled workers often meant poor quality goods that caused problems later. There was also little growth in consumer industries such as house-building, fertilisers and woollen textiles.

The Five-Year Plans were also marked by poor coordination and planning. Some parts of the economy faced underproduction because factories were held up by shortages of materials. Other factories overproduced in their attempts to exceed the targets. This resulted in a great deal of wastage when some parts were overproduced. In the haste to meet production figures, the quality of products was also often sub-standard and potentially hazardous. After 1937, the Soviet Union generally witnessed an economic slowdown and industries such as oil and steel stopped growing.

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(b) Explain how each of the following factors helped Stalin rise to power:

(iii) Trotsky’s unpopularity in the Politburo,

(iv) Stalin’s manipulations. [12]

Level of Response

Level Descriptors and Rubrics Marks Allocated

L1 Writes about the how Stalin rose to power, but without focus on the 2 reasonsAward 1 mark for each detail up to a maximum of 2

1 – 2

L2 Describes reasonsAward 3 – 4 marks for one described reason; and 5 – 6 marks for 2 described reasons

3 – 6

L3 Explains reasons Award 7 – 9 marks for one explained reason and 10 – 12 marks for two explained reasons

Trotsky’s unpopularity in the PolitburoTrotsky was one of the strongest competitors that Stalin faced in succeeding Lenin as leader of the Communist Party. He was regarded as Lenin’s right-hand man. He was also head of the Red Army. Trotsky had the support of the army as he had led them to victory against the Whites in the civil war of 1918-1921. The support of the army gave Trotsky a great deal of power, and he was thus seen as the biggest threat by others in the Politburo who wanted to succeed Lenin as the next leader and they wanted to remove him, which paved the way for Stalin to be the next leader.

Trotsky has always been outspoken and had argued with Lenin and the Party on several topics. As a result, there was plenty of material that his enemies could use to attack him. For example, Trotsky criticised Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP) and the increasing control of the Party by the Politburo and Central Executive Committee. These criticisms openly challenged the organisation and policies of the Party and were thus seen as acts of disloyalty to Lenin and to the Party’s decisions. The party wanted to remove him, which paved the way for Stalin to be the next leader.

In addition, Trotsky also believed in ‘permanent revolution’, and sought to promote and incite revolutions all over the world. However, he failed to convince his fellow Party members of his idea of world revolution. This called for the strengthening of the Soviet Union first before spreading revolution to other countries. Stalin made sure that he had the support of his other Party members on this, and cleverly made it seem like Trotsky was moving away from the Party’s decisions and ideas. Trotsky’s credibility within the Party was thus affected, which paved the way for Stalin to be the next leader.

7 – 12

17

Around Lenin’s death, Trotsky fell very ill, and was often too weak to organise his own supporters. He also chose to remain silent on Lenin’s criticism of Stalin, reflected in Lenin’s Testament. He was thus not able to deal with party politics as the other Party members began to exclude him from their decision-making and undermine his position within the Party, which paved the way for Stalin to be the next leader.

If Trotsky had been more effective as a politician, he would easily have taken over. But, although he was famous for his achievements with the Red Army, and had been Lenin’s choice as successor, he lacked friends and supporters in the Party. This left the way open for other candidates like Stalin to try for power instead.

Stalin’s manipulationsPretended to have been close to LeninApart from the frequent visits that Stalin made to Lenin, Stalin cleverly made it seem like he had been very close to Lenin. This gave his fellow Party members, as well as the general public, the impressions that Lenin had favoured and trusted Stalin and that Lenin would choose Stalin as his successor so Party members and the public also thought that Stalin was the natural obvious successor to Lenin.

As Lenin’s health worsened, Stalin made sure that he looked after Lenin and this gave him the opportunity to take messages to the Politburo from Lenin. When Lenin realised that Stalin wanted too much power and tried to write a letter to the Politburo to ask them to stop him, Stalin suppressed the letter. Therefore, the Party members and the public did not know of Lenin’s true intentions and also thought that Stalin was the natural obvious successor to Lenin.

After Lenin died of a heart attack in 1924, Stalin organised Lenin’s funeral, making it a grand affair. He ordered Lenin’s body to be embalmed and displayed in a mausoleum in the Red Square in Moscow. Stalin also gave the funeral speech and established himself as the chief mourner, showing himself deeply sorrowful over the loss of Lenin. Stalin arranged for the city of Petrograd to be renamed ‘Leningrad’ in Lenin’s honour. Stalin also kept Trotsky from attending Lenin’s funeral by giving him the wrong date. To the Russian people, it looked like Stalin was the natural obvious successor to Lenin.

Control over Party organisationStalin was made Secretary-General of the Party in 1922. Although this appointment was not considered particularly important at that time, being an administrative post, it gave Stalin the authority to appoint and re-assigned Party members. He was thus able to replace the allies of his opponents, especially Trotsky, with his own allies. As he was able to put his supporters into positions of influence, when Lenin died, his supporters were able to make it seemed like there were a lot of people who wanted Stalin as leader.

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Stalin also gained control of the Cheka, later renamed the People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD). As a result, Trotsky’s support base shrank considerably. With his reputation destroyed, his ideas discredited and his lack of support within the Party, Trotsky was forced to resign as the head of the Red Army in 1925. Stalin has Trotsky expelled from the Party in 1927. After his expulsion, Trotsky continued to oppose Stalin through writings that criticised Stalin’s control over the Party, his policies and his supporters. Stalin thus had Trotsky assassinated in 1940 while he was staying in exile in Mexico.

Exploitation of ideological divisionsMembers of the Communist Party were divided between the moderates and the radicals. The moderates were those who followed Lenin’s leadership and ideology closely, while the radicals formed new ideas and challenged the system. To eliminate his competitors, Stalin took advantage of these ideological divisions within the Party, allying himself with both sides at different times.

Then, he used the jealousy of the other candidates like Zinoviev and Kaminev to turn them against Trotsky. The troika alliance between Kamenev, Zinoviev and Stalin aimed to remove Trotsky from power by discrediting him. But, once he got rid of Trotsky, he then turned on his former allies.

Therefore, the other two main contenders, Zinoviev and Kaminev, made the mistake of joining up with Stalin to go against Trotsky. By the time they realised their folly and became anti-Stalin in 1926, it was too late.

With all his political opponents and competitors removed from power, discredited and killed, no one could challenge Stalin and so Stalin could rise to become the next leader of Soviet Union.

3. This question is on the development of the Cold War.

(a) Describe how the Cold War manifested in the Berlin Blockade and the military alliances. [8]

Level of Response

Level Descriptors and Rubrics Marks Allocated

L1 Describes the Cold WarAnswers which describe the event without focus on the question. Award 1 mark for each detail up to a maximum of 2.

1 – 2

L2 Identifies OR describes how the Cold War manifested in the Berlin Blockade or the military alliancesAward 3 marks for each identified aspect up to a maximum of 5 marks OR award 4 marks for one described aspect and 5 marks for 2 described aspects.

3 – 5

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L3 Describes how the Cold War manifested in the Berlin Blockade and the military alliancesAward 6 marks for describing how the Cold War manifested in the Berlin Blockade and the military alliances and an additional mark for the depth of supporting information and the number of aspects covered.

Berlin BlockadeTensions between the two superpowers reached its first high point over control of Germany. At the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, it was agreed that the Western powers controlled two-thirds of Germany. Stalin was resentful of this and his long-term plan for Germany was that it would become communist, and he hoped to achieve this through the influence of the Soviet-controlled government in the Soviet zone. On the other hand, the Western powers, particularly the USA and Britain, were anxious to keep the rest of Germany under their own sphere of influence.

The tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union were highlighted during the crisis over Berlin. On 24 June 1948, Stalin imposed a blockade on movement into West Berlin by cutting off all land and water pathways, as well as communication between the western zones in Germany and West Berlin. Food supplied and electricity to West Berlin were also cut off. Stalin aimed to starve the Germans in West Berlin into submission, and force the Western powers to abandon their plans of unifying their three zones of occupation into an eventual West German state. The USA and Britain agreed to a decision to transport supplies into West Berlin by air, the only channel not blocked by the Soviet Union. This went on for the next 11 months until Stalin realised that the blockade had failed and negotiated with the Western powers to re-open the land and water routes into West Berlin.

The Berlin Blockade reflected the conflicting visions which both superpowers had over the future of Germany. Moreover, it also emphasised the extent to which mutual suspicions over each other’s intentions had undermined superpower relations. The Berlin Blockade was considered the first major Cold War crisis.

Military alliancesNATO was an initiative of the USA, who feared that the countries of Western Europe might deal with their own security concerns by negotiating independently with the Soviet Union. Hence, Truman considered the possibility of forming an American-European alliance that would commit the USA to further strengthen the security of Western Europe.

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At the same time, many Western European countries feared the possibility of the Soviet Union exerting its influence in Europe through military means. They saw the need to have American troops permanently stationed in Europe as an effective counterbalance to the Soviet Union’s strength and influence. They were hence interested in a collective security agreement with the USA.

Truman therefore sought to negotiate such a security treaty with the Western European leaders, resulting in the formation of NATO in April 1949.

The Soviet Union saw the formation of NATO as an immediate threat to its own security. The inclusion of West Germany in NATO in 1955 further heightened this perceived threat. Hence, the Soviet Union formed the Warsaw Pact with its Eastern European satellite states on 14 May 1955. As with NATO, member countries of the Warsaw Pact pledged to defend any other member country which might be attacked by an external party. In reality, the main objective of the Warsaw Pact was to defend the Soviet Union against any further invasion.

(b) Explain how each of the following factors worsened relations between the USA and the Soviet Union:

(i) Establishment of Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe,

(ii) Marshall Plan [12]

Level of Response

Level Descriptors and Rubrics Marks Allocated

L1 Writes about how the relations between the USA and the Soviet Union worsened, but without focus on the 2 reasonsAward 1 mark for each detail up to a maximum of 2

1 – 2

L2 Describes reasonsAward 3 – 4 marks for one described reason; and 5 – 6 marks for 2 described reasons

3 – 6

L3 Explains reasons Award 7 – 9 marks for one explained reason and 10 – 12 marks for two explained reasons

Establishment of Soviet satellite states in Eastern EuropeAfter the war, Stalin began establishing a ring of satellite states around the Soviet Union through the use of ‘salami tactics’. The tactics generally started with initial Soviet support for the establishment of coalition (or multi-party) governments in Eastern

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European states, where the local Communist Party was influential. Subsequently, the communists gradually isolated and repressed other parties in the coalition, eliminating one by one until the Communist Party became the government. He saw this as a defensive measure to strengthen the security of the Soviet Union and its sphere of influence.

However, the Western powers, especially the USA, interpreted this differently. Both the USA and the USSR had sought to strengthen its own political and economic influence in Europe. Therefore, they perceived that the Soviet Union was pursuing an aggressive plan to expand global communist influence. They therefore saw Stalin’s establishment of satellite states in Eastern Europe as another step in this plan, rather than as a defensive measure. This could result in the USA losing its sphere of influence and trading markets, and the possibility of having to conduct relations with a continent that opposed its own political and economic ideals.

As the USA and the Soviet Union competed for influence in Europe, the actions taken by each country and the resulting responses led to misinterpretations of each other’s intentions in Europe. This in turn heightened tensions and distrust between the two superpowers and worsened the relations between the two countries.

Marshall Plan Marshall Plan committed the USA to give economic aid to reconstruct Europe and its economies, regardless of whether the countries were under communist influence or otherwise. This was because the poor economic situation in Europe would provide opportunities for the communists to promote communism as an attractive alternative and solution to the problems. To make communism less appealing and minimise the danger of European countries embracing communism, the Marshall Plan would offer economic assistance from the USA that would provide immediate relief and revitalise the European capitalist economies.

The USA also made the offer of assistance open to the Soviet Union and its satellite states. This was a targeted move, as the Soviet Union would open itself to the USA’s influence if it accepted aid under the Marshall Plan. If the Soviet Union refused and also disallowed its satellite states to take part, relations between the satellite states and the Soviet Union could be strained. Either way, the offer served to deliberately undermine the Soviet Union’s influence in Europe and the rest of the world. Consequently, Stalin was unhappy with the Marshall Plan and its potential success as it threatened to further undermine Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

This therefore heightened tensions and distrust between the two superpowers and worsened the relations between the two countries.

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