Practice exam question AS History, how would we structure an answer: How far do you agree that Stalin's position as General Secretary was the most significant factor in the defeat of his political opponents in the years 1924- 29?
- Plan: Look at how we would structure the answer to this question through the PEE essay structure. What argument could we give to agree with this question, how would we disagree, what alternative factors are there? Look closely at wording of the question- in particular the word 'significant' and the years/dates. - Example plan: Yes significant - Stalin's position as General Secretary- Evidence: control over bureaucracy, could promote allies, access to Cheka files, supervised the Lenin enrolment. Influenced who attended Party Congress. Evaluation- how was this significant? - Ways it was not the most significant factor - Other factors: Weakness of political opponents- Evidence examples: Bukharin wasn't a skilled politician, lacked power base. Trotsky was unpopular and reluctant to take power, didn't attend Lenin's funeral. Then evaluation and conclusion.
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