The Russian Revolution, 1894–1921: past paper questions
Real questions on the russian revolution, 1894–1921
The newest 20 of 44 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9489/11 · May/June 2026 · Q1a[15]
Read Source A and Source D. Compare and contrast these sources as evidence about the Cheka.
See it on the paper → - 9489/11 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[25]
Read all of the sources. How far do these sources agree that Bolshevik rule had a positive impact on Russians? Section B: American option Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861–77
See it on the paper → - 9489/12 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[25]
Read all of the sources. ‘The Bolsheviks were hostile towards the peasants.’ How far do these sources support this view? Turn over Section B: American option Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861–77
See it on the paper → - 9489/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain why division amongst their enemies led to Bolshevik success in the Russian Civil War.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain why the Bolsheviks were successful in October 1917.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain why the Kronstadt rebellion threatened Bolshevik power.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[20]
How far was Kerensky responsible for the collapse of the Provisional Government? Section B: American option The history of the USA, 1820–1941
See it on the paper → - 9489/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[10]
Explain why cooperative societies began to develop after 1800.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain why there was a march on the Winter Palace in January 1905.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[20]
‘The Constituent Assembly was dissolved in January 1918 because the Bolsheviks were weak.’ How far do you agree? Section B: American option The history of the USA, 1820–1941
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain why Lenin issued his April Theses.
See it on the paper → - 9489/23 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[20]
‘By 1914 the Tsarist regime was secure.’ How far do you agree? Section B: American option The history of the USA, 1820–1941
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · February/March 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain why Stolypin was unpopular.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · February/March 2025 · Q3b[20]
‘The Russian Civil War was caused by Lenin’s dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in January 1918.’ How far do you agree? Section B: American option The history of the USA, 1820–1941
See it on the paper → - 9489/42 · February/March 2025 · Q6[30]
‘Economic issues were the most serious domestic challenge faced by the Ford administration.’ Assess this view.
See it on the paper → - 9489/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3a[15]
Read Source A and Source B. Compare and contrast these two sources as evidence about Soviet foreign policy.
See it on the paper → - 9489/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3b[25]
Read all of the sources. To what extent do these sources agree that the policies of other nations towards the Soviet Union were based on economic considerations?
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · October/November 2024 · Q3a[10]
Explain why the Bolsheviks were able to establish one-party rule by 1921.
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · October/November 2024 · Q3b[20]
To what extent were Witte’s economic reforms successful? Section B: American option The history of the USA, 1820–1941
See it on the paper → - 9489/22 · October/November 2024 · Q7a[10]
Explain why Russia was unable to defeat Japan in the war of 1904–05.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
‘Economic issues were the most serious domestic challenge faced by the Ford administration.’ Assess this view. Too few responses to this question were seen to make comments appropriate.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9489/42 Q6 (Cambridge)
Explain why ‘Bloody Sunday’ weakened the Tsarist regime in 1905 Less effective responses usually just described the events of Bloody Sunday, often in full and fairly accurate detail, before asserting that this made the Tsar unpopular. Such answers did not get beyond the lower levels of the mark scheme. Stronger responses were able to link this to an already worsening situation for the Tsar and co...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9489/22 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
To what extent was Bolshevik success in October 1917 caused by the errors of the Provisional Government? The issues leading to the successful Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917 were generally well understood. Many candidates were able to catalogue, in varying degrees of detail, the failures of the Provisional Government from continuing the war with Germany to arming the Bolsheviks when threaten...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9489/22 Q3(b) (Cambridge)
Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.