IB History - Paper 2: Authoritarian States Russia 1917-1953 SL & HL

This Guide focuses on the requirements of IBDP History Paper 2, Topic 10: Authoritarian States, using the emergence and rule of Soviet Russia, under both Lenin and Stalin, as a discrete example.

It provides a comprehensive survey of events and themes, with insights on how to use that historical detail to write effective essays.

Coverage includes: key developments from the revolutions of 1917 to the death of Stalin in 1953; the conditions that led to the emergence of the authoritarian state; the measures used to consolidate and maintain power; and the aims and results of Soviet social, economic, and foreign policies.

Key features: author guidance on improving exam performance; practice essay questions, with advice on potential approaches; `Key Historical Perspectives' to highlight differing interpretations of core issues; margin box definitions of key technical and historical terms; and timelines to help visualise and contextualise important events.