AQA AS HISTORY Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964 Component 1H Autocracy,
Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855–1917 MAY 2023 QP
AS
HISTORY
Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
Component 1H Autocracy, Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855–1917
Wednesday 17 May 2023 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7041/1H.
• Answer two questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 50.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 50 minutes on Section A
– 40 minutes on Section B.
, 2
IB/M/Jun23/E5 7041/1H
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
In the chaos of October 1905, Nicholas promised Russia a government that was
constitutional in character. Although the right to vote was still restricted, there was an
elected Duma and individuals could meet and organise themselves openly, as well as take
an active role in political life. The first Duma held fairly moderate views and the second
even more so. By 1907 order had been restored and between 1907 and 1914 Russia 5
enjoyed a period of political calm during which wounds began to heal. The process of
modernisation and industrialisation resumed its course and the government took steps to
change the country’s agrarian structure. Intellectual and cultural life revived. The period
was one of dazzling creativity in many areas.
Adapted from M Raeff, Understanding Imperial Russia, 1984
Extract B
After the high hopes of 1905, the following years of Duma government proved a
disappointment to the reformers. Confusion reigned at the centre of government.
Muddled thinking and backward-looking influences overshadowed any positive
developments, bringing much dissatisfaction. The projects prepared for the second Duma
by Stolypin never became law in their original form, or failed altogether because there
5
was no commitment to reform on the part of the Tsar, his ministers or the members of the
State Council. Anti-liberal forces and the right wing of the Duma held out against change.
The Lena massacre, the Rasputin scandal and the dismissals and suspensions of
university professors and students deepened the impression of a regime which lacked
wisdom and firm control.
10
Adapted from H Rogger, Russia in the Age of Modernisation and Revolution 1881–1917,
1983
0 1 With reference to these extracts and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two extracts provides the more convincing interpretation of Russia in the
years 1905 to 1914?
IB/M/Jun23/7041/1
H
Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855–1917 MAY 2023 QP
AS
HISTORY
Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
Component 1H Autocracy, Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855–1917
Wednesday 17 May 2023 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7041/1H.
• Answer two questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 50.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 50 minutes on Section A
– 40 minutes on Section B.
, 2
IB/M/Jun23/E5 7041/1H
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
In the chaos of October 1905, Nicholas promised Russia a government that was
constitutional in character. Although the right to vote was still restricted, there was an
elected Duma and individuals could meet and organise themselves openly, as well as take
an active role in political life. The first Duma held fairly moderate views and the second
even more so. By 1907 order had been restored and between 1907 and 1914 Russia 5
enjoyed a period of political calm during which wounds began to heal. The process of
modernisation and industrialisation resumed its course and the government took steps to
change the country’s agrarian structure. Intellectual and cultural life revived. The period
was one of dazzling creativity in many areas.
Adapted from M Raeff, Understanding Imperial Russia, 1984
Extract B
After the high hopes of 1905, the following years of Duma government proved a
disappointment to the reformers. Confusion reigned at the centre of government.
Muddled thinking and backward-looking influences overshadowed any positive
developments, bringing much dissatisfaction. The projects prepared for the second Duma
by Stolypin never became law in their original form, or failed altogether because there
5
was no commitment to reform on the part of the Tsar, his ministers or the members of the
State Council. Anti-liberal forces and the right wing of the Duma held out against change.
The Lena massacre, the Rasputin scandal and the dismissals and suspensions of
university professors and students deepened the impression of a regime which lacked
wisdom and firm control.
10
Adapted from H Rogger, Russia in the Age of Modernisation and Revolution 1881–1917,
1983
0 1 With reference to these extracts and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two extracts provides the more convincing interpretation of Russia in the
years 1905 to 1914?
IB/M/Jun23/7041/1
H
