J14P11 MSQn8(c) How far can Gorbachev be blamed for the collapse of Soviet control over Eastern Europe? Explain your answer.

Level 0 No evidence submitted or response does not address the question [0] 

Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge [1] e.g. 
‘Gorbachev was responsible because he was in power.’ 

Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons [2] 

(One mark for each point) 

e.g. 
‘The economy of the USSR was failing.’ 
‘Afghanistan was a major issue.’ 
‘The support of the Red Army was withdrawn.’ 
‘Gorbachev introduced perestroika and glasnost.’ 
‘He made links with the West.’ 
‘Solidarity set an example to other communist countries.’ 

Level 3 Explanation of the impact of Gorbachev OR other reasons [3–5] 
e.g. 
‘Gorbachev cut spending on defence because of the poor state of the economy and in 1988 he signalled an end to the Brezhnev Doctrine. Eastern European countries realised that this meant that communist governments could no longer expect support from the Red Army to deal with disturbances.’ 
OR 
e.g. 
‘Solidarity had forced a strong communist government backed by the Soviet Union to give way by using non-violent methods. This acted as an example to other Eastern European countries, who felt that they too could stand up for their rights and gain freedom from Soviet control.’ 

Level 4 Explanation of the impact of Gorbachev AND other reasons [5–7] Both sides of level 3. 

Level 5 Explains with evaluation of ‘how far’ [8]