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The Collapse of the Soviet Empire, 1980–2000
Crisis in the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000: The Collapse of the Soviet Empire, 1980–2000
16
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
90 min
Study time
AqaA LevelHistory2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet
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The Collapse of the Soviet Empire, 1980–200016 objectives
- Political developments and activism within the satellite states before 1989: Jaruzelski and attempts to restrain Solidarity in Poland; pressure groups in Czechoslovakia and electoral contests in Hungary; regional peace workshops; the IFN and environmental groups in GDR.
- The state of Communism in the satellite states of Romania and Bulgaria by 1989: leadership of Ceausescu in Romania and Zhivkov in Bulgaria; political and economic problems.
- The collapse of Communism within the satellite states in 1989: reasons for and results of demonstrations and peaceful revolution in East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and violent change in Romania.
- The new national states of Eastern and Central Europe: political issues; problems of creating united and stable governments, including the separation of Czech and Slovak republics; the restoration of capitalism; closer ties with the West; political, economic and social progress and continuing difficulties by 2000 Component 3: Historical investigation (non-exam assessment) Purpose of the Historical investigation The purpose of the Historical Investigation is to enable students to develop the skills, knowledge and historical understanding acquired through the study of the examined components of the specification. Through undertaking the Historical Investigation students will develop an enhanced understanding of the nature and purpose of history as a discipline and how historians work. The Historical Investigation contributes towards meeting the aims and objectives of the A-level specification. In particular it encourages students to:.
- ask relevant and significant questions about the past and undertake research.
- develop as independent learners and critical and reflective thinkers.
- acquire an understanding of the nature of historical study.
- organise and communicate their knowledge and understanding in a piece of sustained writing Introduction Students will be required to submit a Historical Investigation based on a development or issue which has been subject to different historical interpretations. The Historical Investigation must:.
- be independently researched and written by the student.
- be presented in the form of a piece of extended writing of between 3500 and 4500 words in length, with a limit of 4500 words.
- draw upon the student's investigation of sources (both primary and secondary) which relate to the development or issue chosen and the differing interpretations that have been placed on this.
- place the issue to be investigated within a context of approximately 100 years.
- be an issue which does not duplicate the content of Components 1 and 2. The Historical Investigation must be supervised in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.1 of this specification. The centre must complete a non-examined assessment (NEA) title approval form no later than 20 October in the year before the intended completion of the A-level course. The form must detail the title and date range of the proposed historical investigation for each student. The teacher must state which examined components will be studied. This form must be submitted to AQA for review. AQA will check that the proposed historical investigation title, when combined with the examined components, meets the following requirements:.
- the proposed title is set in the context of approximately 100 years.
- there is no overlap with the content of the options studied for the examined components.
- all three components together cover a chronological range of at least 200 years AQA will inform the centre if any historical investigation title does not meet the requirements and the focus for the non-examined assessment will need to be changed. Failure to comply with these requirements will invalidate the student’s entry and no A-level result will be issued.
Key terms
DissidentEnvironmental GroupsCommunismAuthoritarianismPerestroikaSolidarityVelvet RevolutionShock TherapyEconomic StagnationNationalismDissolution of the Soviet UnionBoris Yeltsin
Exam tips
- Use Specific Evidence: Always support your arguments with specific examples from the period.
- Use specific examples: When discussing the collapse of the Soviet Empire, always support your arguments with specific examples from Romania and Bulgaria.
Common mistakes
- Overgeneralization of Events: Use specific case studies, such as Solidarity in Poland or Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia, to support arguments.
- Overgeneralizing the causes of collapse: Ensure to analyze the interplay of economic, political, and social factors that contributed to the collapse of these regimes.
Practice preview
- What was the primary aim of General Wojciech Jaruzelski's government in Poland during the early 1980s?
- What role did pressure groups play in Czechoslovakia during the 1980s?
- Evaluate the impact of regional peace workshops on the political landscape in Eastern Europe during the 1980s.
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