Question: ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ This type of question requires you to analyse and reach a conclusion, based on the evidence you provide. You will always be given a quotation and then asked to: ‘Explain why you agree or disagree with this view’. It may use different question stems, such as: • ‘Assess the validity (of a quotation)...’ • ‘To what extent …’ • ‘How successful …’ • ‘How far …’ Question: ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) Introduction: Paragraphs 1-4: Conclusion:

Introduction: Paragraph 1: Paragraph 2: Paragraph 3: Paragraph 4: Question: ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) Introduction: Paragraph 1: Paragraph 2: Paragraph 3: Paragraph 4: Conclusion:

Features of a strong response to this question: Focus and structure: make sure you know what the question is asking, and what each paragraph will be about. A focused introduction, which outlines your key arguments. Contextual knowledge, but ONLY if it is related to the question. Argument and counter-argument: the exam board want BALANCE, although this does not necessarily mean EQUAL coverage of both sides of the argument (it means considering the opposite viewpoint, and then bringing in evidence to REFUTE this viewpoint). Evaluation: you need to consider the criteria you are going to use to reach your judgement. For example, you might argue that some factors are more important than others due to their long/short term impact, or their inter-relationships. Or you might judge the success of reforms/policies according to their significance/their relationship with progress in Russia...

What is the question asking? What are the keywords? ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) What is the question asking? What are the keywords? Which of the assessment objectives does it focus on? AO1: Demonstrate, organise and communicate knowledge and understanding to analyse and evaluate the key features related to the periods studied, making substantiated judgements. AO2: Analyse and evaluate appropriate source material, primary and/or contemporary to the period, within the historical context. AO3: Analyse and evaluate, in relation to the historical context, different ways in which aspects of the past have been interpreted (interpretations).

‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) 1. Introduction: You need a short but clear introduction that briefly explains your argument in relation to the question. It is vital that you maintain focus on the question from the beginning of your essay. One way to do this is to use the wording of the question to help write your argument. The first few sentences in answer to the question could look like this: “After 1855, Alexander II introduced a series of reforms in order to deal with the problems facing Russia. Many of these issues had been highlighted by Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War in 1853-6. Alexander’s reforms were successful in some ways, leading to the introduction of more representative local bodies like the zemstvo and dumas. However, in other important respects the reforms were entirely unsuccessful...”

2. Order of your paragraphs (1-4): ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) 2. Order of your paragraphs (1-4): A clear structure makes for a much more effective essay. In order to structure the question effectively, you need several paragraphs. In each paragraph you should deal with one factor – for example, one area of Alexander II’s reforms. You could organise your paragraphs according to... Importance: Start with the most important reform, then the second – and so on. Chronology: Deal with the reforms in chronological order – in the order that Alexander carried them out. Theme: Consider the reforms in different groups or themes (i.e. reforms that dealt with the military, education, serfs etc.)

‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) 3. Focus throughout the essay Structuring your essay well will help with focus throughout the essay, but you will also need to maintain this throughout the essay. To do this, use the wording of the question to help write your answer. “The problem at the heart of Russia’s backwardness was the issue of serfdom, and this was the subject of Alexander’s most important reform. This was on such an immense scale – involving millions of people and the whole social structure of Russia – that it was always going to be difficult to manage successfully.” The first sentence begins with a clear point that refers to the primary focus of the question (the reforms). The second sentence links it to the issue of whether it was successful or not.

‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) 4. Deploying detail As well as focus and structure, your essay will be judged on the extent to which it includes relevant and accurate detail. Detailed essays are more likely to do well than essays which are vague and generalised. There are several types of evidence you could use: correct dates, views of relevant people, statistics and events. Use the correct technical vocabulary. In this essay, you could use words and phrases such as ‘emancipation’, ‘Mir’, ‘zemstva’ etc.

5. Analysis (explanation and evaluation) ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) 5. Analysis (explanation and evaluation) Analysis includes the skills of explanation and evaluation. Explanation: an explanatory statement requires two parts: a claim and a justification. Evaluation: the purpose of this is to weigh up and reach a judgement. Evaluation, therefore, needs to consider the importance of two or more different factors against one another.

The mark scheme... Level 5 (21-25/25): Answers will display a very good understanding of the full demands of the question. They will be well organised and effectively delivered. The supporting information will be well selected, specific and precise. It will show a very good understanding of key features, issues and concepts. The answer will be fully analytical with a balanced argument and well substantiated judgement. Level 4 (16-20): Answers will display a good understanding of the demands of the question. They will be well organised and effectively communicated. There will be a range of clear and specific supporting information showing a good understanding of key features and issues, together with some conceptual awareness... judgement may be only partially substantiated.

Which level do you think the answer deserves? Task: Read the specimen answer. Highlight or underline evidence of specific evidence/detail being provided in one colour. Highlight evidence of the student providing balance in another. Highlight evidence of a clear conclusion in a final colour. Which level do you think the answer deserves?

Decide what conclusion/evaluation you will reach. ‘Alexander II’s reforms were, on the whole, unsuccessful.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) Task: Plan an answer to this question using the methods we have talked about today. Decide which reforms you would mention, and write a plan for each paragraph. Decide how you might organise your answer (according to the importance of factors/according to chronology/ thematic). Decide what conclusion/evaluation you will reach. Due: Wednesday 22nd November.

Planning checklist (you should spend at least 5-10 minutes planning your answer): Introduction – Could it offer a more complex argument? Does it do more than introduce? Does it highlight the structure of the answer that will follow? Where can you add specific details to your plan so that you show a range of knowledge? Does your plan successfully feature analysis and evaluation? Are you sure it will not lead to a narrative or descriptive approach? Have you planned to show both sides of the argument? Have you planned how you will refute/challenge the opposite side of your argument? Are you going to be able to reach a clear judgement which clearly states the extent to which you agree with the statement in the question?

Consider the practice question: ‘The Russian economy was modernised successfully between 1892 and 1914.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. (25 marks) If you were answering this question, you might want to weigh up the extent to which the economy had modernised successfully. For example, your conclusion might read: Clearly Russian industry had taken huge strides forward and was using modern methods and technology. Growth had been impressive and it was the world’s fifth largest industrial country. However, the majority of industrial workers were employed in small-scale inefficient workshops with low productivity and the industrial sector as a whole was unbalanced and uneven. Moreover, the economy was still heavily skewed towards agriculture and although there were significant advances in agriculture and increased overall production, the majority of agriculture was still organised in the traditional strip system using old-fashioned technology and methods. Therefore, the Russian economy was not successfully modernised and compared unfavourably with its chief international competitors. In this example, the evaluation is helped by a series of words (highlighted) that help to weigh up the importance of the factors/arguments.

You now have 10 minutes to share your research on your revolutionary thinkers with other members of your group. Make sure you have the whole sheet completed...

Task: Create a mood-board/poster to illustrate key points relating to one theme linked to our Russia course. Your A3 mood-board should include: Statistics, figures and key facts. Relevant images. Relevant knowledge and detail. Analysis (you could create spectrums/charts/tables...) These will be used for a display: we will be making links between the themes and some key individuals, as a practice for the evaluation needed in your exam responses. So make your mood-board visually pleasing!! Due: Wednesday 22nd November.

Mood-board topics to choose from: Alexander II. Mariya Alexander III. Emily Nicholas II. Liam Ivan Vyshnegradsky. Lottie Sergei Witte. Pyotr Stolypin. The Bolsheviks. Dan The nature of the tsarist regime in the 19th century (and how it changed). Katie Reforms under Alexander II (including the emancipation). Ben Opposition to the tsarist regime. Jess Marxism. Shane Industrialisation policies. Olivia Agriculture and the rural economy (including work of Stolypin). Economic developments. Sam Education. Rithika Repression and the secret police. aaron Cultural change/reform. Albert Treatment of minorities (including Russification). Lucinda