Study the sources in this question. Source E 'The emergence of Solidarity in Poland in 1980 was a turning point. For the first time, a mass movement of ten ...

Source analysis

Source E is from a 2003 study of the collapse of communism. It focuses on Poland's Solidarity movement as a 'turning point,' describing how ten million workers challenged communist rule from within. Although Solidarity was banned under martial law in December 1981, it survived underground for eight years and forced the government to negotiate in 1989. The partially free elections of June 1989 produced a 'stunning defeat' for the Communist Party. The source argues that Poland inspired similar movements in Hungary, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia. Its focus is heavily on internal factors (people's actions within Eastern Europe) rather than external pressures.

Contextual knowledge

The case for internal actions: Solidarity demonstrated that mass popular opposition could survive even after being officially suppressed. The 1989 elections showed overwhelming rejection of communism. Mass demonstrations brought down the Berlin Wall (November 1989), the Velvet Revolution ended communist rule in Czechoslovakia (November-December 1989), and Hungary opened its border with Austria, triggering a wave of East German emigration.

The case for outside pressures: Gorbachev's reforms from 1985 (glasnost and perestroika) fundamentally changed the Soviet approach. His explicit abandonment of the Brezhnev Doctrine meant the threat of Soviet military intervention was removed. Without this, movements like Solidarity might have been crushed again, as in 1956 and 1968. Western economic pressure, particularly the arms race and Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, strained the Soviet economy, weakening its ability to maintain control. The source does not mention Gorbachev at all, which is a significant omission.

Mark scheme (Levels of Response) [12 marks]

• Level 1 [1-4 marks]: Simple statements. For example, 'The source says people in Eastern Europe caused the collapse.' No development or evaluation.
• Level 2 [5-8 marks]: Uses sources OR own knowledge to argue one or both sides. Discusses Solidarity's role and the 1989 revolutions, or Gorbachev's policies and Western pressure, but may not integrate both source material and own knowledge.
• Level 3 [9-12 marks]: Uses BOTH sources AND own knowledge to construct a balanced, evaluated argument. Weighs internal opposition (Solidarity, popular movements, elections) against external factors (Gorbachev's reforms, abandonment of the Brezhnev Doctrine, Western economic pressure). Reaches a supported conclusion, for example that both internal and external factors were necessary: internal movements provided the push for change, while Gorbachev's policies removed the key barrier (Soviet military intervention) that had blocked reform since 1956.

Exam reminder: When a source focuses heavily on one side of a debate, always identify what it leaves out. Here, the absence of any mention of Gorbachev is a significant limitation that you should highlight and address with your own knowledge.