IGCSE History 0470 · Topic 7

Depth study C: Russia, 1905–41: past paper questions

164 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, Describe, Discuss, Write, Write an account of

Real questions on depth study c: russia, 1905–41

The newest 20 of 164 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q13a[4]
What was the October Manifesto?
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q13b[6]
Why was the war with Japan important for Russia?
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q13c[10]
‘The March Revolution of 1917 took place because people had lost faith in the Tsar.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q14a[4]
What happened at the show trials?
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q14b[6]
Why did Stalin emerge as leader of the Soviet Union by 1928?
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q14c[10]
Was it propaganda or the Purges that kept Stalin in power? Explain your answer. Depth study D: The United States, 1919–41
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q13a[4]
Describe the Bolshevik takeover in Petrograd in November 1917.
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q13b[6]
Why did the Provisional Government fail?
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q13c[10]
‘Trotsky was the main reason why the Bolsheviks won the Civil War.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q14a[4]
Describe Stalin’s treatment of the different nationalities within the Soviet Union.
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q14b[6]
Why did Stalin introduce collectivisation?
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q14c[10]
‘The Russian people benefited from Stalin’s industrial policies.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. Depth study D: The United States, 1919–41
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q13c[10]
How far was the Tsarina Alexandra to blame for the March Revolution? Explain your answer.
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q14a[4]
Describe Soviet propaganda in the period 1928 to 1941.
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q14b[6]
Why did Stalin use the Purges?
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q14c[10]
‘Stalin became leader because he was more cunning than Trotsky.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. Depth study D: The United States, 1919–41
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0470/12 · February/March 2026 · Q13a[4]
Describe what happened in the March Revolution of 1917.
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0470/12 · February/March 2026 · Q13b[6]
Why did Stolypin introduce agricultural reforms in the years 1906 to 1911?
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0470/12 · February/March 2026 · Q13c[10]
‘The Tsar survived the 1905 Revolution by promising reforms.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0470/12 · February/March 2026 · Q14a[4]
Describe Trotsky’s role in the Civil War.
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What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Most candidates used their knowledge to correctly describe Trotsky’s role. His leadership of the Red Army was well known as were his military tactics and strategy. Limited responses • A few candidates, whilst understanding that he was the leader of the Red Army, wrote generally about his character rather than giving specific details on his role. These responses could hav...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0470/12 Q14(a) (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Many candidates demonstrated a solid grasp of the key issues and used supporting contextual knowledge to produce an explanation. Most identified the failure of War Communism as a key issue and included the fall in industrial production, the 1921 famine and increasing economic problems as evidence. • Some candidates explained the significance of the Kronstadt Mutiny as a s...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0470/12 Q14(b) (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Many candidates understood the key issues and used supporting details to develop their responses. The role of Lenin was well explained. • Many candidates produced a balanced argument, most commonly explaining the contribution of Trotsky. • A few candidates were able to explain the weaknesses and failure of the Provisional Government. • Some responses were able to include...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0470/12 Q14(c) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise depth study c: russia, 1905–41

In the syllabus

1 0470.7.1.01 — How well did the Tsarist regime deal with the difficulties of ruling Russia up to 1914?.

How well did the Tsarist regime deal with the difficulties of ruling Russia up to 1914?.
How did the Tsar survive the 1905 Revolution?.
How far was the Tsar weakened by the First World War?.
Why was the revolution of March 1917 successful?.

2 0470.7.1.02 — How did the Tsar survive the 1905 Revolution?.

How did the Tsar survive the 1905 Revolution?.

3 0470.7.1.03 — How far was the Tsar weakened by the First World War?.

How far was the Tsar weakened by the First World War?.

4 0470.7.1.04 — Why was the revolution of March 1917 successful?.

Why was the revolution of March 1917 successful?.

5 0470.7.2.01 — How effectively did the Provisional Government rule Russia in 1917?.

How effectively did the Provisional Government rule Russia in 1917?.
Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in November 1917?.
Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil War?.
How far was the New Economic Policy a success?.

6 0470.7.2.02 — Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in November 1917?.

Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in November 1917?.

7 0470.7.2.03 — Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil War?.

Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil War?.

8 0470.7.2.04 — How far was the New Economic Policy a success?.

How far was the New Economic Policy a success?.

9 0470.7.3.01 — Why did Stalin, and not Trotsky, emerge as Lenin’s successor?.

Why did Stalin, and not Trotsky, emerge as Lenin’s successor?.
Why did Stalin launch the Purges?.
What methods did Stalin use to control the Soviet Union?.
How complete was Stalin’s control over the Soviet Union by 1941?.

10 0470.7.3.02 — Why did Stalin launch the Purges?.

Why did Stalin launch the Purges?.

11 0470.7.3.03 — What methods did Stalin use to control the Soviet Union?.

What methods did Stalin use to control the Soviet Union?.

12 0470.7.3.04 — How complete was Stalin’s control over the Soviet Union by 1941?.

How complete was Stalin’s control over the Soviet Union by 1941?.

13 0470.7.4.01 — Why did Stalin introduce the Five-Year Plans?.

Why did Stalin introduce the Five-Year Plans?.
Why did Stalin introduce collectivisation?.
How successful were Stalin’s economic changes?.
How were the Soviet people affected by these changes?.
The main features of Tsarist rule and Russian society before the First World War:; the 1905 Revolution and its aftermath; attempts at reform.
The First World War and its impact on the Russian people.
The March Revolution of 1917.
The Provisional Government and the Soviets, the growing power of revolutionary groups.
Reasons for the failure of the Provisional Government.
The Bolshevik seizure of power, the role of Lenin.
The main features of Bolshevik rule, the Civil War and War Communism, and reasons for the Bolshevik victory.
The Kronstadt Rising and the establishment of the New Economic Policy.

14 0470.7.4.02 — Why did Stalin introduce collectivisation?.

Why did Stalin introduce collectivisation?.

15 0470.7.4.03 — How successful were Stalin’s economic changes?.

How successful were Stalin’s economic changes?.

16 0470.7.4.04 — How were the Soviet people affected by these changes?.

How were the Soviet people affected by these changes?.

17 0470.7.4.05 — The main features of Tsarist rule and Russian society before the First World War:; the 1905 Revolution and its aftermath; attempts at reform

The main features of Tsarist rule and Russian society before the First World War:; the 1905 Revolution and its aftermath; attempts at reform.

18 0470.7.4.06 — The First World War and its impact on the Russian people.

The First World War and its impact on the Russian people.

19 0470.7.4.07 — The March Revolution of 1917.

The March Revolution of 1917.

20 0470.7.4.08 — The Provisional Government and the Soviets, the growing power of revolutionary groups.

The Provisional Government and the Soviets, the growing power of revolutionary groups.

21 0470.7.4.09 — Reasons for the failure of the Provisional Government.

Reasons for the failure of the Provisional Government.

22 0470.7.4.10 — The Bolshevik seizure of power, the role of Lenin.

The Bolshevik seizure of power, the role of Lenin.

23 0470.7.4.11 — The main features of Bolshevik rule, the Civil War and War Communism, and reasons for the Bolshevik victory.

The main features of Bolshevik rule, the Civil War and War Communism, and reasons for the Bolshevik victory.

24 0470.7.4.12 — The Kronstadt Rising and the establishment of the New Economic Policy.

The Kronstadt Rising and the establishment of the New Economic Policy.

25 0470.7.4.13 — Lenin’s death and the struggle for power.

Lenin’s death and the struggle for power.

26 0470.7.4.14 — Reasons for Stalin’s emergence as leader by 1928.

Reasons for Stalin’s emergence as leader by 1928.

27 0470.7.4.15 — Stalin’s dictatorship:; use of terror; the Purges; propaganda and official culture.

Stalin’s dictatorship:; use of terror; the Purges; propaganda and official culture.

28 0470.7.4.16 — Stalin’s economic policies and their impact:; the modernisation of Soviet industry; the Five-Year Plans; collectivisation in agriculture.

Stalin’s economic policies and their impact:; the modernisation of Soviet industry; the Five-Year Plans; collectivisation in agriculture.

29 0470.7.4.17 — Life in the Soviet Union:; the differing experiences of social groups; ethnic minorities and women.

Life in the Soviet Union:; the differing experiences of social groups; ethnic minorities and women.

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