Stalin changed the Soviet Union in many ways. How successful was Stalin in changing traditional ideas about the roles of women and the family in Soviet society? Explain your answer.

Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. 10 marks

One explanation or more on each side.
- Stalin had some success, and many more women were in the workplace However, there was a contradiction in Stalin's wishes which meant that his plans did not work as well as he wanted. He wanted women to be free to work and contribute to Russia's economic expansion, but he also wanted the birth-rate to go up and this meant women staying at home to have and raise children.

Level 4: Explains both sides. 7-9 marks
For candidates to be awarded this level they must have one explanation on each side.

Seven marks for one explanation on each side; one additional mark for each additional explanation on either side.

Level 3: Explains one side. 4-6 marks
One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
- Stalin was not very successful. In fact, the changes he wanted did not work well at all. He wanted more women in the workplace and not tied to the family. However, this rather undermined the importance of the family There were lots of divorces and pregnant wives were being abandoned Because of this he had to change direction and make divorce more difficult and make fathers pay maintenance for their children if they left the family.
OR
- He was successful. He believed that women should play a full part in the development of the USSR. Soon, nearly half of industrial workers were women and so were many doctors and engineers. In fact, the Five-Yea Plans would not have worked without the contribution of women.
Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. 2-3 marks

One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
- By the mid-1930s nearly half of all industrial workers were women.
- Women became doctors, teachers and engineers.
- The Five-Year Plans depended on the work of women.
- Stalin had to change policy and try and reimpose traditional family values.
- The state kindergartens that had been promised did not appear.
- Women were left having to cope with work and family.
- Divorce was made more difficult.
- Mothers were given cash rewards for having children.
- Many women who worked still had lowly jobs.

Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question. 1 mark
- Stalin thought it was important that women have different roles in a communist society, so he tried to make a lot of changes which were quite successful.

Accept all valid responses.
Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks