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Date November 2020 Marks available 15 Reference code 20N.3op4.HL.TZ0.32
Level Higher level only Paper Paper 3 (History of Europe) Time zone TZ0
Command term Evaluate Question number 32 Adapted from N/A

Question

Section 16: The Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia (1924–2000)

Evaluate the impact of political and economic developments in post-Soviet Russia between 1991 and 2000.

Markscheme

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the consequences of political and economic change in post-Soviet Russia, weighing up the strengths and limitations. The move to market economics with the “shock therapy” of abandoning price controls led to rising prices, unemployment and homelessness. The key economic impacts were uncertainty, inflation and a poor standard of living for large numbers of the population. With the privatization of state enterprises, the oligarchs emerged and there was industrial decline because of the lack of investment, increasing crime and corruption. From 1993 onwards, politics became less democratic following the attack on the White House (the Russian Parliament building). The new constitution gave the presidency enormous power and limited that of the Duma. There was an element of democracy as parties were still functioning, but they were increasingly subject to interference from the state. The fact that Boris Yeltsin was able to virtually nominate his successor is an indication of the level of presidential power. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

Examiners report

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the consequences of political and economic change in post-Soviet Russia, weighing up the strengths and limitations. There were some good answers with detail on Yeltsin's economic policies and the attack on the Russian Parliament in 1993. Weaker candidates answered this question with reference to Gorbachev and perestroika and glasnost.

Syllabus sections

HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 4: History of Europe » 16: The Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia (1924–2000) » Collapse of the Soviet Union; post-Soviet Russia to 2000; role and policies of Yeltsin; political and economic developments to 2000
HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 4: History of Europe » 16: The Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia (1924–2000)
HL options: first exams 2017 » HL option 4: History of Europe
HL options: first exams 2017

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