Advanced Higher History Source Questions

How did economic hardship and infrastructure failures contribute to the February Revolution?

. Industrial action took place on the 18th of February 1917 as workers striked for higher wages on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday in 1905.

. On the 19th of February, authorities announced that bread rationing would begin on the 1st of March 1917, stoking fears about food shortages for Petrograd's working class.

. The cost of living for working-class families had increased by 300% while wages had only increased by 100% since August 1914.

. Russian railways were unable to deliver enough food due to a breakdown in the transport system caused by military demands and poor maintenance.

What role did public demonstrations play in igniting the February Revolution?

. Red flags were carried by protestors, and chants of "Bread" and "Down with the Tsar" echoed during the marches.

. Warm weather on the 23rd of February 1917 (with temperatures rising to -5 degrees) enabled marches to take place on International Women's Day.

. The International Women's Day march on February 23rd attracted support from students, middle-class women, and factory workers.

How did Tsarist decisions and military actions contribute to the collapse of the regime?

. On the 22nd of February, Tsar Nicholas II left Petrograd to return to Stavka in White Russia—400 miles away from the unfolding crisis.

. On the 1st of March, General Alexeev called off the mission of soldiers sent to restore order in Petrograd.

. On the 2nd of March, Front Commanders and Admirals demanded that the Tsar abdicate to save Russia and maintain military support in the war.

How did government collapse and civil unrest accelerate the end of the Romanov dynasty?

. On the 3rd of March, Grand Duke Michael refused the offer of regency, effectively ending the 300-year-old Romanov dynasty.

. A general strike broke out in Petrograd, paralyzing city services, transport, and factory production, while war armament production came to a halt.

. On the 1st of March, the Duma formed a Provisional Government, with the Soviets pledging support if democratic norms were upheld.

. On the 25th of February, police and army units opened fire on demonstrators on Nevsky Prospekt, killing 50 people.

How did economic and social hardships undermine support for Tsar Nicholas II?

. The cost of living for working-class families increased by 300% while wages only increased by 100% since August 1914.

. In 1916, bread rations fell from 2.5 lb to 1.5 lb, forcing the average working woman in Petrograd to spend 60 hours per week in bread queues.

. Due to inflation, many peasants stopped selling grain and kept it for themselves and their animals, leading to food shortages in the cities that intensified public anger.

. Industrial workers in major cities like Petrograd endured harsh working conditions, low pay, and long hours, especially during WW1, thus sparking strikes that contributed to revolutionary fervor.

How did military failures and breakdowns contribute to the Tsar's loss of power?

. In 1915, Tsar Nicholas II assumed the role of Commander in Chief of the Russian military, making him personally responsible—and widely blamed—for the disastrous defeats on the battlefield.

. World War I resulted in 1.7 million soldier deaths and millions more injured, leaving many young men disillusioned with fighting for a regime that no longer protected their interests.

. During the Petrograd garrison mutiny in February 1917, soldiers refused to suppress protests and instead joined the demonstrators, signaling a collapse of military discipline and loyalty.

What political missteps and institutional neglect weakened Tsar Nicholas II's regime?

. In 1915, Nicholas II refused to cooperate with the pro-Tsarist "Progressive Bloc" of Liberal Politicians and closed the Duma, severing vital political alliances just when he needed them most.

. The Duma, which was intended to represent the people, was largely ignored by Nicholas II, stifling the reforms that could have eased public frustration.

. The Tsar's failure to act promptly—dismissively labeling thousands of protesters as a temporary "hooligan movement"—allowed dissent to grow uncontrollably.

How did rising political awareness and internal factors accelerate the call for abdication?

. A rise in literacy among urban workers and peasants—reaching about 40% of the male population by 1917—enabled more people to become politically informed and mobilized against the Tsar.

. While away commanding the military, the Tsar left the Tsarina and Rasputin in charge of domestic affairs; their decisions (such as firing competent ministers) further tarnished his reputation.

. Between 1914 and 1917, revolutionary groups, including the Bolsheviks (which grew from 10,000 to 24,000 members), gained momentum with their anti-war stance, intensifying demands for change.

. On 23 February, a rise in temperature (to -5 °C) allowed more people to gather on the streets, setting the stage for mass protests that the Tsar could no longer ignore.

How did the Tsar's leadership failures weaken support for his rule?

. In 1915, Tsar Nicholas appointed himself as Commander in Chief of the Russian military, making him personally responsible for heavy defeats at the Front.

. Nicholas's absence in Petrograd, especially after appointing himself as Commander in Chief in 1915, created significant problems as the Tsarina and Rasputin made disastrous ministerial appointments.

. There was widespread suspicion of treason against Empress Alexandra, who was German by birth, fueling distrust of the royal family.

. Tsar Nicholas closed the Duma in 1915 in response to the Progressive Bloc's request for more control over the state of the war, thus making political enemies

How did World War I contribute to the decline of Tsarist support?

. WWI resulted in 1.7 million soldier deaths and around 6 million injuries, leaving many soldiers disillusioned with the Tsarist regime and anger amongst their family whos sons had been sent to die.

. Millions of Russian soldiers endured horrific conditions at the Eastern Front, making them question why they were fighting for a system that did not benefit them.

. The Tsar was ultimately forced to abdicate by the Generals, showing that even the military leadership had lost confidence in him.

How did economic hardship and food shortages turn people against the Tsar?

. The cost of living for working-class families had increased by 300%, while wages had only increased by 100% since August 1914.

. In 1916, bread rations fell from 2.5 lb to 1.5 lb, forcing the average working woman to spend 60 hours per week in bread lines, leading to mass hunger and frustration.

How did political conflicts turn people against the Tsar?

. Between 1914 and 1917, revolutionary groups, including the Bolsheviks (which grew from 10,000 to 24,000 members), gained momentum with their anti-war stance, intensifying demands for change and increasing the radicalisation of the civilian population with socialist and anti-tsar propaganda.

Nature of the October Revolution: Provisional Government's Characteristics and Failures

. The Provisional Government lacked prestige and authority as it hadn't been democratically elected.

. It lacked an established police force or the former Okhrana to counter internal subversion as the Okhrana had been dismantled after the February Revolution in 1917, thus leaving the government open to be attacked by revolutionaries.

. In July 1917, Kerensky appointed General Kornilov as Commander in Chief, re-instituted the death penalty in the army, and sought to restrict public gatherings, alienating popular support.

. The Provisional Government was unable to meet demands of the people which led to increased support for the Bolshevik Party, particularly during the summer and early autumn as workers faced increased unemployment, inflation, and declining living standards.

Nature of the October Revolution: Provisional Government's Military

. The Summer Offensive in 1917 was disastrous, with increased casualties, mass desertions, and a collapse of morale, undermining the Provisional Government's authority.

. The Kornilov Affair (August 27) further eroded army morale and alienated working-class, peasant, and soldier support for the government. The Bolsheviks' Red Guards were armed with 40,000 rifles as they defended Petrograd, strengthening their position.

. The Right-wing was neutralised as Army Generals were still in shock after the Kornilov Affair failed and while administration of the state was disintegrating all over Russia with national minorities seeking self-rule and Soviets all over wanting a break from the failed policies from Kerensky government.

How did the peasantry and worker movements contribute to the Bolshevik takeover?

. Peasantry were taking back control of landlords' land, burning manor houses with armed deserters returning from the Front with rifles and leading the assault, particularly after the failure of the Summer Offensive where thousands of peasant-soldiers returned to take part in land seizures.

. Worker control gained ground in factories in towns and cities with miners in the Donbas taking control of mines and evicting their managers.

How did the Bolsheviks position themselves as the alternative to the Provisional Government?

. Lenin's writings, including State and Revolution (August 1917), urged the Bolsheviks to seize power and labeled the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) as 'bourgeois' for cooperating with the Provisional Government.

. By September 1917, the Bolsheviks had gained majorities in the Petrograd and Moscow Soviets.

. Lenin's promises of 'Peace, Land, and Bread' and 'All Power to the Soviets' (April Theses) resonated with workers, soldiers, and peasants, radicalizing them.

. The Left SRs split from the official SRs in October, supporting Soviet rule and seeking a socialist coalition government. Lenin was willing to negotiate with them but not with the remaining Mensheviks and SRs.

How did the failures of the Provisional Government's coalitions and institutions contribute to the Bolshevik rise?

. On September 26, 1917, the Third Coalition of the Provisional Government saw six Kadets enter government, leaving only seven socialists in ministerial posts, further alienating the left.

. The Democratic Conference created the 'Pre-Parliament' on October 14, with Kadets, Mensheviks, and SRs participating. However, Kerensky ignored their advice, further discrediting these parties.

What factors contributed to the Bolsheviks' success in the October Revolution, particularly regarding their control over leadership and the Kornilov affair?

. The Kornilov affair renewed the radicalism of the people and broke the remaining bonds between soldiers and their officers, workers, and the upper classes, making the Provisional Government appear weak and arming the Bolsheviks with 40,000 rifles.

. Lenin had tight control of the party organisation and worked closely with Trotsky to ensure the attack was well-planned and executed through their strong leadership. The revolution resulted in only 10 deaths and took place at night.

How did the weaknesses of the Provisional Government contribute to the success of the October Revolution?

. The Provisional Government led by Alexander Kerensky lacked the legitimacy and authority of a democratically elected government - seen as an extension of the old regime and not what the February Revolution was fought for.

. The Provisional Government postponed land reforms and condemned land seizures by peasants - angered peasants who made up the majority of the population, thus making them eager for revolution.

. The government's decision to continue fighting in WWI caused immense suffering - Soldiers were demoralized, leading to mass desertions. The Bolsheviks' promise to withdraw from the war attracted widespread support from both soldiers and civilians.

. Russia continued to face mass inflation and food shortages, and the inability of the Provisional Government to manage these crises fueled public anger and drove support toward the Bolsheviks, who promised immediate solutions.

How did Bolshevik leadership and their ability to gain support contribute to the success of the October Revolution?

. Lenin had tight control of the party organization and worked closely with Trotsky to ensure that the attack was well-planned and executed through their strong and decisive leadership, e.g., only 10 deaths and done at night.

. Bolshevik membership grew to 250,000 by October 1917, which meant that the Bolsheviks were able to stay in power due to a strong base of support in urban areas through propaganda and the promise of 'Peace, Land, and Bread'.

. Other socialist parties like the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries were divided and indecisive with their support for the Provisional Government, alienating their base - the Bolsheviks positioned themselves as the true representatives of revolutionary change.

How did the Kornilov affair and military support from the Red Guards help the Bolsheviks during the October Revolution?

. The Kornilov affair renewed the radicalism of the people and broke the remaining bonds between soldiers and their officers, workers, and the upper classes, making the Provisional Government appear weak. This event also armed the Bolsheviks with 40,000 rifles.

. The Red Guards played a crucial role in seizing key government buildings, railway stations, and communication centers during the October insurrection, which gave them a strategic edge since they effectively controlled Petrograd through seizing these locations, forcing the Provisional Government to surrender.

How did the Bolshevik control of the Soviets help them gain legitimacy and support during the October Revolution?

. The Bolsheviks successfully infiltrated and dominated the Petrograd and Moscow Soviets by October 1917, giving them a strong grassroots base of support. They framed their seizure of power as an act on behalf of the soviets, lending an air of legitimacy to the coup.

How did the Bolsheviks' growing military strength and the radicalization of soldiers impact the authority of the Provisional Government?

. After the Kornilov Revolt, the Bolsheviks had 40,000 rifles between them, posing a large military threat to the authority of the Provisional Government if they were to revolt.

. The Bolsheviks, which had a membership of 24,000 in February 1917, skyrocketed to 250,000 members by October 1917, displaying an increase in authority and power of radical revolutionary groups.

. The Provisional Government was losing control over the military with increased radicalization of soldiers and sailors, particularly among the Kronstadt Sailors, leading to increased mutinies and desertion. For example, by autumn 1917, roughly 2 million men had unofficially left the Russian Army.

How did internal political divisions and unrest weaken the Provisional Government's authority and legitimacy?

. Following Nicholas II's abdication, regions like Ukraine and Finland demanded independence, causing political tension between the Liberals and moderate socialists as the moderate socialists made concessions to Ukraine due to their valuable farmland.

. The failed Summer Offensive led to the 'July Days' protests, resulting in 40,000 deaths and increasing tension between the Provisional Government and the people who's family had died.

. The Provisional Government, made up of upper-class elites like Prince Georgy Lvov, angered the working-class revolutionaries who felt they were just replacing one elite with another.

How did economic problems and dissatisfaction among workers and peasants contribute to the instability of the Provisional Government?

. Scarcity of goods and rising prices led workers to demand price controls, but the Provisional Government, under pressure from industrialists, failed to meet their needs.

. The Provisional Government's failure to implement land reforms, leading peasants to seize land from landowners and burning down landlords' houses, increasing civil unrest.

. Pressure from the Allies to continue fighting in WWI clashed with the widespread unpopularity of the war, making it hard for the Provisional Government to balance foreign relations with public opinion.

How did the Provisional Government's loss of authority, control over security, and inability to suppress revolutionary movements contribute to its downfall?

. The Provisional Government lacked overall authority and prestige as it was forced to share power with the Petrograd Soviet, which controlled soldiers, workers, and key infrastructure through a power structure that was made after the February Revolution.

. The breakdown of Russian police forces after the February Revolution led to rising crime such as murder and burglary which the Provisional Government could not effectively control with depleted resources to control this and criminals going unchallenged.

. The abolition of the Okrhana, the former secret police, left the Provisional Government unable to suppress revolutionary movements, allowing Lenin's 'Peace, Land, and Bread' propaganda to spread.

How did geographic and organizational advantages contribute to the Reds' success in the Civil War?

. The White Army was spread across Russia's North, East, and South, while the Reds controlled central industrial areas like Petrograd and Moscow, preventing coordinated White attacks despite being surrounded.

. The Red Army controlled Petrograd and Moscow, with 70% of Russia's war-related industry, giving them a significant advantage in military supplies.

. The Red Army had 5.5 million soldiers, compared to the White Army's 1 million, allowing the Reds to win through superior numbers.

. The Reds controlled key railway hubs in Moscow and Petrograd, facilitating the transport of supplies and troops, whereas the White Army had limited railway infrastructure on the peripheral areas of Russia.

How did leadership and military strategy play a role in the Reds' success in the Civil War?

. Leon Trotsky restructured the Red Army, reinstating the death penalty for desertion and conscripting 25,000 ex-Tsarist officers to provide skilled leadership.

. War Communism allowed the Bolsheviks to requisition grain from peasants, ensuring food supplies for the Red Army while the White Army faced shortages.

. The White Army was divided between various political factions (socialists, monarchists, liberals, conservatives), leading to infighting and delayed decisions, while the Reds were unified under Lenin's vision of Communism.

How did recruitment and support factors impact the success of the Reds during the Civil War?

. The White Army struggled to recruit soldiers as many regions, like Ukraine, had ethnic groups hostile to Russian imperialism, while the Reds attracted support with their promise of land redistribution.

. The Bolsheviks set up the Cheka (secret police) to suppress counterrevolutionaries and prevent rebellions within the Red Army, ensuring internal stability.

. The White Army's violence against peasants, particularly Cossack leaders in Siberia, led to a loss of support among the peasantry, weakening their forces.

How did propaganda and morale affect the outcome of the Civil War for the Reds?

. The Reds used extensive propaganda, emphasizing socialist ideals and depicting the White Army as imperialists due to foreign aid, which boosted morale and support.

. The White Army's reputation was associated with returning land to former landlords, which made peasants more likely to support the Reds, who upheld the 1917 land redistribution, leading to large amounts of desertion from White soldiers.

How did foreign intervention and corruption affect the White Army's effectiveness?

. Foreign military aid to the White Army from France, Britain, and the US was limited, and by April 1921, all foreign troops had withdrawn, leaving the Whites vulnerable.

. The White Army faced widespread corruption, with supplies being stolen and cases of British nurse uniforms being used by prostitutes, with the estimation of only 50% of British aid reached the White front lines.

How did Stalin use Lenin's funeral, alliances, and faction bans to build his power and suppress opposition?

. During Lenin’s funeral, Stalin acted as a key organizer and delivered a speech in which he praised Lenin in addition to being a head pallbearer, which was later used in propaganda photos where Stalin was positioned as the heir to Lenin, giving him a strategic advantage over Trotsky.

. Stalin strategically positioned himself to align with certain policies such as NEP to overthrow his political rivals and gain favour with other politicians, which allowed him to reduce his opposition and gain more control.

. Stalin took all measures possible to prevent public criticism of his image by utilising the ban on factions, which prevented groups of members from going against the party's policies and resulted in the eventual expulsion of the ‘United Opposition’.

How did Stalin undermine Trotsky's position and use his image to gain power?

. Stalin ensured that Trotsky wouldn't make it to Lenin's funeral by giving him the wrong date on the invitation, tarnishing Trotsky's reputation and making his absence appear as an act of disrespect.

. Stalin allowed himself to be seen as a 'Grey Blur' and 'Outstanding Mediocrity of the Party' by Trotsky, undetected and underestimated, meaning he wouldn't be seen as a threat, allowing him to slowly build up a base of power without being attacked.

. Stalin used strategic allyships, such as the Triumvirate (Stalin, Kamenev, and Zinoviev), to destroy opponents. They would attack Trotsky at every opportunity, questioning his loyalty to the party and insulting him during the Party Congress.

How did Stalin's public communication style and policies help him gain support compared to Trotsky?

. Stalin made clear speeches to the common people of Russia, which they could easily understand, making him a familiar figure and a man of the people, in contrast to Trotsky, who was seen as overly intellectual and arrogant. - add to Martin McCauley quote

. Stalin's policy of 'Socialism in One Country' appealed to the public far more than Trotsky's policy of 'Permanent Revolution'. The Russian population was tired of war and was unwilling to invade or pressure other countries to become Communists.

How did external factors, like Lenin's Testament and the party's desire for a strong leader, help Stalin rise to power?

. Lenin's Testament, which argued for the removal of Stalin from the party, was suppressed. Had it been publicized, it could have destroyed Stalin's political career and given Trotsky more opportunity to rise to power.

. The type of leader the Communist Party wanted after Lenin's death was someone who could project strength and bring the USSR forward in line with Stalin, which was a contrast to Trotsky's potential leadership style that may have been seen as too divisive after the Civil War.

How did Trotsky's military background, personality, and intellectualism hinder his chances in the leadership struggle?

. Trotsky lost the leadership struggle was because his military history made him too intimidating and dangerous in the view of other Bolsheviks who wouldn't want to support Trotsky for fear that he would turn into a military dictator.

. Trotsky appeared to be too intellectual and elitist with his middle-class background which meant he failed to appeal to the common people of Russia whereas Stalin could do this easily do this.

. His personality was very arrogant, rude, and inhospitable towards other party members meaning that he was unable to form alliances that may have helped him progress in the leadership struggle.

How did Stalin's desire for Political Control & Power Consolidation play a role in the Purges?

. Stalin's position within the party hierarchy depended on keeping on getting voted in, and he needed all potential opposition to be too afraid or killed to solidify his position in power, for example whilst in exile in Mexico Leon Trotsky wrote scathing articles about Stalin and was eventually murdered.

. The murder of Sergei Kirov in December 1934, which is regarded as the beginning of the Purges provided an excuse for Stalin to claim that there were conspirators within, and purge the Leningrad party of supporters of Zinoviev and Kamenev where a conspiring terrorist bloc was ‘discovered’ and thousands imprisoned or executed.

. Stalin became increasingly paranoid amongst the Red Army leaders such as Marshal Tukhachevsky who conflicted with Stalin, leading Stalin to believe that they were plotting to overthrow him which led to a mass purge of the Red Army generals.

. Stalin’s personality was particularly vengeful, insecure and paranoid especially after wife’s suicide in 1932 which meant that he believed he could trust no one and that he was surrounded by enemies.

How did Lenin play a role in the Purges?

. Lenin had given the lead in use of Terror and so Stalin was following a Bolshevik path of violence against opponents as displayed throughout the Russian Civil War after the Cheka was founded and thousands of 'class enemies' were sent to labour camps or executed without trial.

How did the Public and Social Factors play a role in the Purges?

. Population was able to use the Purges as a way of social advancement, revenge on family, colleagues by denouncing others in order to steal their resources once they were arrested or to protect yourself since denouncing someone else could dissassociate yourself with them. Additionally, there were cases of children reporting their parents as a result of propaganda they were exposed to during school.

. Managers and Workers experienced tensions during the Stakhanovite campaign of 1936 as pressure was put on industry to increase production which meant that Managers were denounced by Workers if they did not provide the necessary tools, and materials for their attempt to become privileged Stakhanovite workers.

What were the Economic Motives of the Purges?

. In 1936 there was an economic downturn due to poor harvest, technical problems with railways, and poor management of economy – need for blame to be appointed away from the regime to prevent civillian uprisings, labelling people as 'wreckers' in factories to shift the blame.

. The rapid industrialisation policies required a Gulag system, relied on forced labour to do the most dangerous jobs such as railway and mine workers for the Russian economy, and an increase in mass arrests was required to provide a workforce for major state projects.

How did the NKVD participate in the Purges?

. The NKVD played a significant role in sustaining and expanding the Purges to maintain their importance and responded by over-fulfilling quotas of executions and imprisonments of enemies, especially after the appointment of Nikolai Yezhov 'bloody dwarf' who issued Order No. 00447 and promoted mass torture.

What are some examples of Continuity/Lack of Social Progress during Life Under the Stalinist State?

. Homosexuality was made illegal in the 1934 Criminal Code, reversing Lenin-era decriminalisation and showing a shift toward social conservatism when it came to sexuality and relationships.

. Abortion was made illegal in 1936, marking a decline in women’s bodily autonomy compared to Lenin’s Russia and the prioritisation of the family unit and birth rates.

. Working women were still expected to take on traditional gender roles, as shown by the increase in time spent on household chores from 1932–1936, spending 5 times longer on household chores by 1936 than men.

. There was little change in the heavy state control of literature, with the new Union of Soviet Writers promoting socialist literature as writers like Isaac Babel and Boris Pasternak retreated into silence and stopped writing.

What were some significant Social Changes under the Stalinist Regime?

. Socially, the 'person' lost their identity in early Stalinist Russia with all people expected to contribute towards achieving the socialist aims with the State being the path towards this with all personal ambitions being subordinate to the state.

. Stalin, as the sole leader of Russia, became a worshipped figure with icons in many people's homes of Stalin in addition to large amounts of statues and celebrations in Stalin's honour that wouldn't have taken place under Lenin e.g. Stalin's 50th birthday.

. There was a cultural revolution in art where from the beginning of 1930s and onwards, Soviet paintings swarmed with tractors, threshing machines, and harvesters displaying happy peasants, and this art style was known as 'Socialist Realism'.

. There was a shift in the education policy ordered by the Central Committee where there was a core recommendation for the teaching of physics, chemistry, and mathematics with exams, homework, and textbooks reappearing in classrooms, thus displaying how the lives of children in school changed significantly.

What were some social changes that involved Fear and Repression under the Stalinist State?

. Under Stalin, there was a significant amount of fear amongst the civilian population during the height of the 'Great Purge' from August 1936 to November 1938, where large amounts of politicians, military officers, and anti-communists were sent to gulags or executed.

. Collectivisation resulted in millions of peasants being forced into collectivised farms such as Kolkhoz or Sovkhov farms which were heavily controlled by the State, extracting a large portion of the resources produced by the peasants in these farms, leaving only small lots which the peasants could grow their own livestock and produce in Kolkhoz farms, meaning the social lives of peasants were fundamentally changed with large state control over their lives.

How did the Economic and Industrial Strength help the USSR win the Great Patriotic War?

. The eventual efficiency of War economy allowed the supply of the military with adequate materiel, the relocation of industries to beyond the Urals and the scorched earth policy.

. The Soviet Union used mass war production to outproduce Germany in tanks, aircraft, and artillery, thus enabling sustained offensives despite heavy losses. For example, in 1944 the USSR had roughly 29,000 tanks in comparison to Germany's 27,300 tanks.

. The USSR received vital supplies from the U.S. and Britain, including trucks, food, aircraft, and raw materials with the American Lend-Lease transferring over $11 billion dollars worth of goods.

. The USSR could replenish its forces faster than Germany, for example, during the entire war, the Soviet Union had mobilized around 34 million men, compared to Germany's 18 million in total.

How did Military Strategy and Leadershio help the USSR win the Great Patriotic War?

. While responsible for early blunders, Stalin eventually delegated military authority to capable generals like Zhukov and Rokossovsky in comparison to Hitler who was quick to fire generals when they disagreed with him, leading to increased Soviet military expertise.

. Measures like Order No. 227 ("Not a Step Back") were introduced alongside the NKVD enforcement prevented mass desertions and maintained fighting effectiveness.

. The Soviet High Command was effective in control and tactics from 1943 with commanders learning from their experience, such as Zhukov, Koniev, Vatutin and Rokossovsky.

. Red Army was supplied with effective weapons such as the T-34 Tank and the PPSH-41 sub-machine gun which was easy to use and effective in all weathers and over 3 million made.

How did Geography and External Factors play a role in the USSR's victory in the Great Patriotic War?

. Winter 1941 was one of the harshest on record which meant that the German forces were unprepared and this caused significant enemy weaknesses as they were forced to deal with the Russian climate and were unable to apply the same tactics as in France whereas the Soviet soldiers were used to this harsh climate and therefore better prepared.

. The USSR had a huge landmass which overextended German supply lines due to the sheer distance of the Eastern Front which meant that Germany was subject to logistical failures with food, ammunition, and fuel the further German troops advanced, thus hindering their progress.

. The Anglo-American invasion of North Africa, Italy, and especially D-Day (June 1944) forced Germany to fight a two-front war which eventually took pressure off the Soviet forces on the Eastern Front.

How did Intelligence and Morale help the USSR win the Great Patriotic War?

. The Soviet Union had placed spies in Germany and Japan who provided critical intelligence which helped inform military decisions. For example, Richard Sorge, a Soviet spy in Japan, informed Moscow that Japan would not attack Siberia in 1941, allowing Stalin to transfer military divisions to defend Moscow instead.

. There was a significant amount of propaganda that fuelled Soviet nationalism and resistance with posters, films, and radio broadcasts all emphasising the war as the 'Great Patriotic War', thus uniting soldiers and giving them a morale boost in fighting the Nazis.

. Soviet partisans made a significant contribution to the war through countering German plans to attack Russia with 130,000 Soviet Partisans behind the enemy line in December 1942, conducting systematic attacks against Germany's rear communication network.

How were Initial Strategic and Leadership Failures problematic for the Red Army?

. At the beginning of the war, Stalin was reluctant to listen to his more experienced and strategic military advisors which resulted in large casualties with 4 million Soviet casualties and 3 million Soviet POWs by December 1941.

. The Red Army also suffered catastrophic defeats at the beginning of the war due to Stalin's decision making such as Kyiv in September 1941 where 600,000 Soviet troops were encircled and captured.

. Before the invasion, Stalin dismissed warnings of a German attack, leaving the USSR unprepared which meant when Operation Barbarossa began on June 22, 1941, the Soviets were caught off guard, losing many aircrafts and resources.

. The Purges left a gap in military expertise, as Stalin had many generals executed, including Major General Ernst Schacht and Commissar Ivan Sergeyev. This shortage of experienced leaders weakened the army and the quality of command.

How did Logistical and Tactical Struggles weaken the Red Army?

. As a result of the German invasion, over 1,500 factories had to be relocated east of the Ural Mountains to continue arms production and although this enormous logistical feat helped sustain the war effort, it initially weakened supply chains.

. Until D-Day in 1944, the USSR bore the brunt of the war against Germany with the lack of a second Front in Europe, forcing the USSR to rely on military aid from the other Allies.

. After liberation, cities like Stalingrad and Kiev were in ruins. Infrastructure had to be rebuilt amidst ongoing battles, adding immense strain to Soviet resources.

. There was a Siege of Leningrad from 1941 to 1944 where the city endured 872 days of blockade, leading to over 1 million civilian deaths from starvation and bombings.

. The USSR's resources were initially outdated at the start of the war, for example the Soviet tanks like the T-26 were outdated and no match for German Panzer divisions early in the war, leading to heavy losses.

. Especially during the beginning of the war, the Luftwaffe carried out large bombing campaigns on the USSR, damaging infrastructure and transportation networks.

How did the German Strengths weaken the USSR during the Great Patriotic War?

. The Nazi military were significantly well prepared with resources such as advanced military equipment alongside military vehicles like the Panzer tanks and bomber planes, making them a skilled and powerful military.

. After the invasion, Germany targeted key Soviet resources with Nazis were stealing natural resources such as oil and grain, especially after Ukraine was taken, which put strains on the food and fuel supplies which were needed to continue fighting the war.

. The Soviet partisans faced harsh Nazi reprisals such as the destruction of entire villages like Khatyn (1943) with almost the entire village population murdered in retaliation.

. Both Soviet and German forces struggled in extreme cold in the winter of 1941-42, however, the Soviets eventually used the winter to their advantage in the Battle of Moscow (Dec 1941-Jan 1942), halting the German advance.