Russia and the Soviet Union 1917–1941
MOD-RUS is worth about 25 marks out of 100 in recent HSC Modern History papers. Practise 15 exam-style questions (multiple choice, short answer) with instant marking and a worked solution for every question.
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Bolshevik consolidation of power, the power struggle after Lenin, Stalin's economic, political and social transformation of the USSR, and Soviet foreign policy 1917–1941, with how to write the 25-mark National Studies essay.
- 1What you need to know
- 2Bolshevik consolidation of power, 1917–1924
- 3The power struggle after Lenin, 1922–1929
- 4The Soviet state under Stalin
- 5Soviet foreign policy, 1917–1941
- 6Planning a 25-mark essay
- 7Common mistakes
- 8Exam tips
- 9Links to other topics
Example questions
Example 1 · 1 mark · multiple choice
What happened to the Constituent Assembly elected in November 1917?
- AIt elected Lenin as head of government with a large majority
- BThe Bolsheviks closed it after one day, in January 1918
- CIt was never elected because the Bolsheviks cancelled the elections
- DIt became the parliament of the USSR until 1936
Example 2 · 1 mark · multiple choice
Why did Lenin insist on signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918, despite its harsh terms?
- AHe expected the treaty to win Russia new territory in the Baltic
- BThe treaty was popular with the Left SRs, his coalition partners
- CTrotsky had already won the war against Germany
- DHe believed peace at any price was needed for survival
Example 3 · 1 mark · multiple choice
Which best explains why the USSR signed the Nazi–Soviet Non-Aggression Pact in August 1939?
- ABritain and France had refused to hold any talks with the USSR in 1939
- BStalin distrusted the West after Munich and wanted time
- CGermany had already invaded the USSR and Stalin needed a ceasefire
- DThe USSR shared the Nazis' ideology and wanted a permanent alliance
Answers and worked solutions appear when you practise these questions.