Holy Cross High School
Higher History Essay Plan
Russia Essay 2: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ATTEMPTS TO STRENGTHEN TSARISM BETWEEN
1905 AND 1914
Wording: As with every Higher essay, this could be worded in a number of ways, but the
question will always ask you the same thing. It will ask you to ASSESS THE ATTEMPTS TO
STRENGTHEN TSARISM BETWEEN 1905 AND 1914. As you should now, there were a number
of ways the Tsar attempted to strengthen his grip on the country in the aftermath of the
1905 revolution. This question is essentially asking you to assess the success of these
attempts.
Possible titles:
A. How successful were Tsarist attempts to ‘gain what he had lost’ after 1905?
B. To what extent did Nicholas II consolidate his losses after 1905?
C. To what extent was the power of the Tsarist state weakened in the years between
1905 and 1914?
A. To what extent was the power of the Tsarist state strengthened in the years after
the 1905 revolution?
A good tip for writing essays is to continually refer to the wording of the
question. For instance, essay C asks you to assess the extent to which the
Tsarist state was weakened. When you make points, use the wording of
the question;
“In this sense, far from weakening the power of the tsarist state, Stolypin’s reforms
seemingly helped calm a potentially volatile situation”
PLEASE USE THE RUSSIA ESSAY 3 NOTES AND THE MARKING INSTRCTIONS FROM THE BLOG
TO HELP WITH OVERALL UNDERSTANDING OF THIS TOPIC
Holy Cross High School
Faculty of Social Subjects (History)
Essay Plan
Introduction:
Starting Period: Make sure you set the essay in context. You have to get across that the Tsar had lost
some of his power in the aftermath of 1905 (summarise briefly)
Ending Period: You have to emphasise that he would make it his mission to get back whatever power he
could over the next decade.
Argument: Make it clear the extent to which you think these measures actually worked. Summarise why
(briefly).
Factors: Briefly summarise the evidence you will use to answer the question; Make sure you signpost!!!
Factors you might want to mention are 1) Agricultural reform 2) Industrial reform 3) Political Reform
and 4) Security/Repression
Remember for each ‘other factor’ you will have to provide as summary as to what was actually done,
rather than a list to achieve 4/4 for your introduction.
Paragraph 1: Agricultural Reform
Essentially ask yourself the two questions; 1) What was done, and 2) How successful was it (with
evidence)
Paragraph 2: Industrial Reform
REMEMBER TO LINK PARAS!!! Then tell me 1) What was done, and 2) How successful was it (with
evidence)
Paragraph 3: Political Reform
LINK!!! 1) What was done, and 2) How successful was it (with evidence)
Paragraph 4: Security
LINK!!! 1) What was done, and 2) How successful was it (with evidence)
A top essay will also include awareness of historical debate (of which you have lots)
Conclusion:
Summarise!!! Make sure you come to a BALANCED but strong conclusion (Take a side, but acknowledge
other sides). I want you to let me know the real extent to which you think the reforms worked!
Remember the structure (use as a basis for your conclusion but try to develop)
1)
2)
3)
4)
In conclusion… (1 sentence answering the question)
On one hand…(summarise one side of the argument i.e the Tsar was stronger)
On the other hand… (summarise the other side of the argument i.e he wasn’t stronger)
Overall…(One final sentence summing up your whole essay)
Holy Cross High School
Faculty of Social Subjects (History)