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Russia 1917 to 1991: Tsarism to Communism

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why did Gorbachev's reforms fail to save the Soviet Union and instead hasten its collapse in 1991?

The end of the USSR 1985 to 1991: Gorbachev's perestroika and glasnost, the loosening of the bloc and nationalism, the 1991 coup, and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
A focused guide to Gorbachev and the collapse of the Soviet Union for AQA A-Level History (Russia). Covers perestroika and glasnost, the loosening of the Eastern bloc and rising nationalism, the August 1991 coup, and the dissolution of the USSR.
11 min answer →

How far did Khrushchev reform the Soviet system, and why did the Brezhnev era stagnate?

The USSR 1953 to 1982: de-Stalinisation and Khrushchev's reforms and failures, the Brezhnev era of stability and stagnation, and Soviet society and the Cold War context.
A focused guide to the USSR under Khrushchev and Brezhnev for AQA A-Level History (Russia). Covers de-Stalinisation and Khrushchev's reforms and failures, the Brezhnev era of stability and stagnation, and Soviet society and the Cold War context.
11 min answer →

How did the Bolsheviks consolidate power and win the Civil War, and why did Lenin switch from War Communism to the NEP?

Lenin in power 1917 to 1924: consolidating the one-party state, winning the Civil War, War Communism and its failures, and the introduction of the New Economic Policy.
A focused guide to Lenin in power and the Russian Civil War for AQA A-Level History (Russia). Covers the consolidation of the one-party state, the Civil War and Red victory, War Communism and its failures, and the introduction of the New Economic Policy.
11 min answer →

How did Stalin win power, transform the Soviet economy and society, and rule through terror?

Stalin's rule 1924 to 1953: the rise to power, collectivisation and the Five Year Plans, the Great Terror and the cult of personality, and the impact of the Second World War.
A focused guide to Stalin and the USSR from 1924 to 1953 for AQA A-Level History (Russia). Covers his rise to power, collectivisation and the Five Year Plans, the Great Terror and the cult of personality, and the impact of the Second World War.
12 min answer →

Why did the Tsarist regime fall in February 1917, and how did the Bolsheviks seize power by October?

The revolutions of 1917: the fall of the Tsar in February, the failures of the Provisional Government and dual power, and the Bolshevik seizure of power in October.
A focused guide to the Russian revolutions of 1917 for AQA A-Level History (Russia, Tsarism to Communism). Covers the fall of the Tsar in February, the failures of the Provisional Government and dual power, and the Bolshevik seizure of power in October.
11 min answer →