AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only) – Soviet…
Full specification wording
2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only) – Soviet Satellites, 1953–1968: Threats to stability in the Soviet satellite states: risings in East Germany, Poland and Hungary; issues over Berlin and the Berlin Wall; Dubcek and the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia; reasons for the threats, their development and outcome for the state and for its relations with USSR
Between 1953 and 1968, Soviet control over its satellite states faced severe threats driven by economic hardship and desires for political freedom.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1953 and 1968, Soviet control over its satellite states faced severe threats driven by economic hardship and desires for political freedom. In East Germany (1953), workers' strikes were crushed by Soviet tanks, leading to mass emigration that culminated in the 1961 Berlin Wall to halt the brain drain. In 1956, Polish protests yielded moderate reforms under Gomulka, while the Hungarian Uprising sought withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact, resulting in a brutal Soviet invasion. In Czechoslovakia (1968), Dubcek's 'socialism with a human face' during the Prague Spring prompted the Warsaw Pact invasion and the Brezhnev Doctrine. These events developed from grassroots discontent into national crises, ultimately resulting in tightened Soviet hegemony and strained bilateral relations, demonstrating the limits of de-Stalinisation.
What earns the marks
- Identify specific economic and political reasons for the risings in East Germany, Poland, and Hungary.
- Explain the development of the Berlin crisis, culminating in the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 to prevent mass emigration.
- Analyse Dubcek's reforms during the Prague Spring and how they threatened Soviet security.
- Evaluate the outcomes of these crises, specifically the application of Soviet military force and the resulting impact on bilateral relations with the USSR.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the outcomes of the 1956 uprisings.
Put it right: Note that Poland achieved some compromise under Gomulka, whereas Hungary faced a full-scale Soviet military suppression.
Assuming the Berlin Wall was built by the West.
Put it right: Specify that it was constructed by the GDR and the USSR to stop East Germans fleeing to West Berlin.
Viewing the Prague Spring as an anti-communist revolt.
Put it right: Explain that Dubcek remained a committed communist seeking 'socialism with a human face', not a capitalist democracy.
Exam tips
- Compare the differing Soviet responses to Poland and Hungary in 1956 to demonstrate nuanced understanding of Soviet foreign policy.
- Link the construction of the Berlin Wall to the broader economic instability of the GDR caused by the 'brain drain'.
- Use the Brezhnev Doctrine as a key conceptual outcome of the Prague Spring when discussing relations with the USSR.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only) – Soviet Satellites, 1953–1968: Threats to stability in the Soviet satellite states: risings in East Germany, Poland and Hungary; issues over Berlin and the Berlin Wall; Dubcek and the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia; reasons for the threats, their development and outcome for the state and for its relations with USSR lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the immediate outcome of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising for Hungary's relationship with the Soviet Union?
Listen
Between 1953 and 1968, Soviet control over its satellite states faced severe threats driven by economic hardship and desires for political freedom. In East Germany (1953), workers' strikes were crushed by Soviet tanks, leading to mass emigration that culminated in the 1961 Berlin Wall to halt the brain drain. In 1956, Polish protests yielded moderate reforms under Gomulka, while the Hungarian Uprising sought withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact, resulting in a brutal Soviet invasion. In Czechoslovakia (1968), Dubcek's 'socialism with a human face' during the Prague Spring prompted the Warsaw Pact invasion and the Brezhnev Doctrine. These events developed from grassroots discontent into national crises, ultimately resulting in tightened Soviet hegemony and strained bilateral relations, demonstrating the limits of de-Stalinisation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify specific economic and political reasons for the risings in East Germany, Poland, and Hungary. Explain the development of the Berlin crisis, culminating in the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 to prevent mass emigration. Analyse Dubcek's reforms during the Prague Spring and how they threatened Soviet security. Evaluate the outcomes of these crises, specifically the application of Soviet military force and the resulting impact on bilateral relations with the USSR. A common slip: Confusing the outcomes of the 1956 uprisings. Instead, note that Poland achieved some compromise under Gomulka, whereas Hungary faced a full-scale Soviet military suppression. Exam tip: Compare the differing Soviet responses to Poland and Hungary in 1956 to demonstrate nuanced understanding of Soviet foreign policy.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Dubcek's Prague Spring prompted the Warsaw Pact invasion
- 2. Workers' strikes in East Germany crushed by Soviet tanks
- 3. Berlin Wall constructed to halt mass emigration
- 4. Polish protests yielded moderate reforms under Gomulka
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of 2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only) – Soviet Satellites, 1953–1968: Threats to stability in the Soviet satellite states: risings in East Germany, Poland and Hungary; issues over Berlin and the Berlin Wall; Dubcek and the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia; reasons for the threats, their development and outcome for the state and for its relations with USSR
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge