1. Group essay - Laura, Alex , Hannah M, Olivia S
How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Group essay - Laura, Alex , Hannah M, Olivia S

2. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Slides are reminders of how to write intros, paragraphs and conclusions.
In your groups you need to write an introduction, 5 middle paragraphs and a conclusion for this essay.
First of all you need to decide what are going to be the 5 subjects of your main paragraphs as well as your overall line of argument (This is especially important for the person writing the introduction)
The first one will obviously be on the Russian war economy (as this is the stated factor in the question). You could a second paragraph on this if you wanted to.
In the space below write down the other paragraph headings and the name of the student responsible for this paragraph.
P1 - war economy
P2 - Labour Discipline
P3 -
P4 -
Now you need to decide who is going to be responsible for each part of the essay. NOTE: the person highlighted in bold on slide 1 should write the introduction.
When the middle paragraphs are completed each paragraph must be checked by a member of the group.
Finally - Each member of the the group needs to write their own conclusion to the question. (There is a conclusion slide for each member)

3. How can you write a great introduction?
Top Tips!
Set the scene… by introducing the people or events referred to in the question.
Attack the question… by giving a short, clear answer using the language of the question.
Outline your argument… by listing the main point you will cover in your answer.
Question: How far do you agree that the First World War was mainly responsible for the February Revolution of 1917? (30 marks)
The February Revolution of 1917 was an unplanned series of strikes, demonstrations and army mutinies that ultimately led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, ending three hundred years of Romanov rule in Russia. The the First World War was mainly responsible the outbreak of the February Revolution. However, there were other factors that collectively played an equally important role, such as social and economic problems, the actions of Rasputin, the defection of the armed forces and the incompetence of Nicholas II.

4. How can you write a great paragraph?
Top Tips!
Point… Introduce your point clearly at the beginning of the paragraph. You can often use the words of the question to help you do this.
Evidence… Provide detailed and specific evidence or examples to support your point.
Explanation… Explain how the evidence you have given proves your point.
However… Evaluate your point by briefly giving the counter argument that might be made to it.
Link… Make a clear link back to the question at the end of every paragraph.
Question: How far do you agree that Sergei Witte’s policies were successful in modernising the Russian economy in the period ? (30 marks)
The most significant way that Witte modernised the Russian economy was through the development of the country’s infrastructure. For example, Witte invested heavily in the building of railways, with 110,000 miles of track being laid between 1881 and This included the 3,750 miles of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which opened in 1902 and stretched from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. This helped to modernise the Russian economy by allowing the transport of raw materials from Siberia in the east to the factories in the west. It also facilitated the migration of workers from the countryside to the cities and promoted internal trade. However, it should also be noted that some argue the railways promised more than they delivered, with stretches of the Trans-Siberian Railway still incomplete in 1914 and little evidence to support the idea that the railways had a great impact on the movement of workers. In spite of these criticisms, the development of Russian infrastructure offered the long-term potential for industrial development, so did help to modernise the Russian economy to an extent.

5. How can you write a great conclusion?
Top Tips!
Signpost your conclusion… by starting the paragraph with the phrase ‘In conclusion’.
Summarise your argument… by listing the points you have covered in your answer.
Consider significance… by clearly stating which of your points is the most significant and explaining your choice.
Question: How far do you agree that the First World War was mainly responsible for the February Revolution of 1917? (30 marks)
In conclusion, there were a number of factors responsible for the February Revolution of 1917, including the impact of the First World War, social and economic problems, the actions of Rasputin, defections in the the army and the incompetence of Nicholas II. I think the most significant reason was the impact of the First World War because this exacerbated the existing social and economic problems, emphasised the Tsar’s incompetence and eroded the loyalty of the Russian Army.

6. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Top Tips!
Set the scene… by introducing the people or events referred to in the question.
Attack the question… by giving a short, clear answer using the language of the question.
Outline your argument… by listing the main point you will cover in your answer.
Introduction
When Nazi Germany launched a surprise invasion of Russia in June 1941 and launched a campaign of destruction with their Blitzkrieg warfare, it seemed that Russian defeat in WW2 was inevitable. However, by 1944 Russia had won a convincing and monumental victory over the Germans. The main reason for this was the powerful Russian war economy, which simply out produced its Nazi rival, but the reorganisation of the Russian army, German tactical errors and the tightening of labour discipline within factories were also key contributing factors for Russian victory in WW2.
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7. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Top Tips!
Point… Introduce your point clearly at the beginning of the paragraph. You can often use the words of the question to help you do this.
Evidence… Provide detailed and specific evidence or examples to support your point.
Explanation… Explain how the evidence you have given proves your point.
However… Evaluate your point by briefly giving the counter argument that might be made to it.
Link… Make a clear link back to the question at the end of every paragraph.
Paragraph 1: War Economy
The role of the Russian War economy was the most significant factor in Soviet victory in World War 2, which featured the reorganisation of factories and gearing production towards the needs of the military. War economy oversaw the relocation of 1,523 factories in the first month of the war. By 1942, economic planners were able to devote 56% of Russia’s national income to the war. The devotion towards the military production meant that there was a huge increase in artillery, guns and ammunition production in This enabled the formation of better equipped and armed divisions, which fought more effectively and at far less human cost. However, the achievements of the Russian war economy were pinned at the sacrifice of Russian workers. Despite this, war economy contributed greatly to the success of World War Two.

8. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Paragraph 2: Military Discipline
Russian military discipline was an essential factor in the Russian victory. Unlike Lenin, Stalin ensured the commanders actually commanded the army, reinforcing the necessary army discipline needed for the Russians to gain victory. Stalin recognised that the intervention of the Party in the military command made it less efficient and that commanding officers were best left on their own. These factors coupled with the bravery of individual soldiers made it possible for the Russian army to defeat the germans in WW2.
Labour discipline was also an essential factor in the Russian victory. Factory workers were given more discipline which meant they could mass produce lots of war equipment for the army, this made the Russians have a lead in victory.
Top Tips!
Point… Introduce your point clearly at the beginning of the paragraph. You can often use the words of the question to help you do this.
Evidence… Provide detailed and specific evidence or examples to support your point.
Explanation… Explain how the evidence you have given proves your point.
However… Evaluate your point by briefly giving the counter argument that might be made to it.
Link… Make a clear link back to the question at the end of every paragraph.

9. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Paragraph 2: Military Discipline
Russian military discipline was an essential factor in the Russian victory. Unlike Lenin, Stalin ensured the commanders actually commanded the army, reinforcing the necessary army discipline needed for the Russians to gain victory. Stalin recognised that the intervention of the Party in the military command made it less efficient and that commanding officers were best left on their own. These factors coupled with the bravery of individual soldiers made it possible for the Russian army to defeat the germans in WW2
Top Tips!
Point… Introduce your point clearly at the beginning of the paragraph. You can often use the words of the question to help you do this.
Evidence… Provide detailed and specific evidence or examples to support your point.
Explanation… Explain how the evidence you have given proves your point.
However… Evaluate your point by briefly giving the counter argument that might be made to it.
Link… Make a clear link back to the question at the end of every paragraph.

10. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Paragraph 3:
The major reorganisation within the Russian army also played a key role in securing Russian victory in WW2. Due to the disastrous first year of the war, Stalin realised that his extensive political intervention in military tactics was inadvisable and appointed a Deputy Supreme Commander, Zhukov, to take active control of the Red Army. The military therefore had much more autonomy, encouraging initiative and giving power and responsibility to experienced military professionals, whose expertise was instrumental in the victories of Additionally, medals were reintroduced, 11 million were awarded over the course of the war, 8 times more than the USA. This was very significant as it gave soldiers a tangible goal to strive for, and medals were awarded almost instantaneously, giving an instant morale boost. These changes in military structure made the Red Army a more efficient fighting force that was able to match the armies of Nazi Germany and so this reorganisation of the army was very significant for Soviet Victory in WW2.
Top Tips!
Point… Introduce your point clearly at the beginning of the paragraph. You can often use the words of the question to help you do this.
Evidence… Provide detailed and specific evidence or examples to support your point.
Explanation… Explain how the evidence you have given proves your point.
However… Evaluate your point by briefly giving the counter argument that might be made to it.
Link… Make a clear link back to the question at the end of every paragraph.

11. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Paragraph 4:
Top Tips!
Point… Introduce your point clearly at the beginning of the paragraph. You can often use the words of the question to help you do this.
Evidence… Provide detailed and specific evidence or examples to support your point.
Explanation… Explain how the evidence you have given proves your point.
However… Evaluate your point by briefly giving the counter argument that might be made to it.
Link… Make a clear link back to the question at the end of every paragraph.

12. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Paragraph 5: Home Advantage
Furthermore an additional contributing factor towards the success of the Soviet victory in World War Two, was the home advantage. An example of this is the geographical factors which were to Russia’s advantage. ‘General Winter’ , where the German’s movement slowed to a dead halt due to the severest winter in Russian memory. The Soviet soldiers were able to regroup and begin a counter-attack in December 1941, due to the unequipped German soldiers. However, the Soviet soldiers would not have been well equipped without war economy. Home advantage was significant in the success of Soviet Russia, however on its own it wouldn’t have caused Russian victory.
Top Tips!
Point… Introduce your point clearly at the beginning of the paragraph. You can often use the words of the question to help you do this.
Evidence… Provide detailed and specific evidence or examples to support your point.
Explanation… Explain how the evidence you have given proves your point.
However… Evaluate your point by briefly giving the counter argument that might be made to it.
Link… Make a clear link back to the question at the end of every paragraph.

13. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Conclusion (Laura):
In conclusion, Russia’s victory in WW2 would have proved impossible without the creation of the superior Soviet war economy, as other important contributors such as army reorganisation and the home advantage would have been rendered useless without the necessary tanks and ammunition to back them up. The War economy was vital in the formation of efficient and well equipped army divisions that were able to turn the tide of WW2 and eventually secure victory over the Nazis in Consequently, the war economy was definitely the main reason for Russian victory in WW2.
Top Tips!
Signpost your conclusion… by starting the paragraph with the phrase ‘In conclusion’.
Summarise your argument… by listing the points you have covered in your answer.
Consider significance… by clearly stating which of your points is the most significant and explaining your choice.

14. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Conclusion (Alex):
Top Tips!
Signpost your conclusion… by starting the paragraph with the phrase ‘In conclusion’.
Summarise your argument… by listing the points you have covered in your answer.
Consider significance… by clearly stating which of your points is the most significant and explaining your choice.

15. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Conclusion (Hannah):
Top Tips!
Signpost your conclusion… by starting the paragraph with the phrase ‘In conclusion’.
Summarise your argument… by listing the points you have covered in your answer.
Consider significance… by clearly stating which of your points is the most significant and explaining your choice.

16. How far do you agree that the Russian war economy was the main reason for Russian victory in WW2?
Conclusion (Olivia):
In conclusion, Russia’s victory in World War 2 was achieved due to many factors. Many influencing factors such as the reorganisation of the army and home advantage aided the success of World War Two, however it would not have been possible without efficient production of artillery, ammunition and tanks. The most significant factor was war economy and without this failure would have been inevitable.
Top Tips!
Signpost your conclusion… by starting the paragraph with the phrase ‘In conclusion’.
Summarise your argument… by listing the points you have covered in your answer.
Consider significance… by clearly stating which of your points is the most significant and explaining your choice.