AQA A-Level History 7042
1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1603
1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702
1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796
1F Industrialisation and the People: Britain, c1783–1885
1G Challenge and Transformation: Britain, c1851–1964
1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
1K The Making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
1L The Quest for Political Stability: Germany, 1871–1991
2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499
2C The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564
2D Religious Conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570
2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660
2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715
2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815
2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941
2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945
2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957
2N Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953
2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945
2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997
2Q The American Dream: Reality and Illusion, 1945–1980
2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000
2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000
The August Coup and the End of the USSR
- 1 thing to know
- Component 2
Overview
Recall questions on the plotters of the August coup of 1991, why it failed, Yeltsin's resistance, the effect on Gorbachev, the Communist Party and the Baltic states, the Belavezha Accords and Gorbachev's resignation.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What was the August 1991 coup and who carried it out?
Model answer
An attempt by hardline Communists (the Gang of Eight) to remove Gorbachev and reverse reforms while he was on holiday in Crimea.
- 2
Name four key figures among the August 1991 coup plotters.
Model answer
Vice President Yanayev, KGB chief Kryuchkov, Defence Minister Yazov, and Interior Minister Pugo.
- 3
How did the plotters' indecision contribute to the coup's failure?
Model answer
The coup plotters were indecisive and failed to act swiftly or decisively to consolidate power.
- 4
Why was the military's refusal to fire on civilians significant in the coup's failure?
Model answer
Military units refused to fire on civilians, depriving the plotters of the force needed to suppress opposition.
- 5
How did popular resistance contribute to defeating the August coup?
Model answer
Citizens in Moscow rallied to resist the coup, creating mass opposition the plotters could not overcome.
- 6
What role did Yeltsin's leadership play in the coup's failure?
Model answer
Yeltsin rallied opposition around himself, providing a focal point for resistance that undermined the plotters.
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Every question in 2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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