Themes

An introduction to thematic questions and an explanation as to why you need to study thematically can be found HERE.


Themes covered -

• Position of the CPSU
• Foreign Relations
• The Economy
• Stalinism
• Nationalist Threat
• Comparison of Leaderships
• Social issues

Sample exam questions -

• How was the failure to achieve effective economic reform between 1941 and 1991 responsible for the break-up of the USSR? (from the specification paper)
• A period of stagnation followed by reform - how far is this a valid analysis of Soviet politics, 1964 to 1991
• How important were national tensions between 1941 and 1991 in contributing to the break-up of the USSR?
• To what extent did Stalinism outlive Stalin?
• How successfully did the Communist Party maintain it's leading place within the Soviet Union between Stalin's death and the break up of the USSR?