Free History of the Soviet Union Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the History of the Soviet Union practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1In which year did the Russian Duma convene for the first time?

   1. A.1904
   2. B.1905
   3. C.1906Correct answer: C
   4. D.1907

   Explanation: The Library of Congress timeline places the event on May 10, 1906: "Russian Duma convenes for the first time." The other years do not match that date.

   Reference: Russian Revolution of 1905: Topics in Chronicling America — Timeline, May 10, 1906

2. 2What happened to Nicholas II during the February Revolution of 1917?

   1. A.He abdicated the throne.Correct answer: A
   2. B.He established a regency.
   3. C.He dissolved the Bolshevik Party.
   4. D.He was elected prime minister.

   Explanation: The Library of Congress states that "Nicholas II abdicated on March 15, 1917." Abdication ended his reign; the other choices describe different political actions.

   Reference: Czar Nicholas II: Topics in Chronicling America — Introduction

3. 3What economic activity did Lenin's New Economic Policy permit on a limited basis?

   1. A.Private enterpriseCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Private ownership of all state industry
   3. C.Foreign control of all Soviet banks
   4. D.Abolition of all market exchange

   Explanation: The Library of Congress describes the policy as "allowing limited free enterprise under the Lenin's New Economic Policy." It did not establish the unlimited or opposite arrangements described in the other options.

   Reference: Revelations from the Russian Archives: Internal Workings of the Soviet Union — Attacks on Intelligentsia: Renewed Attacks

4. 4What structural change did Stalin-era collectivization seek in Soviet agriculture?

   1. A.Replacing individual farms with large collective farmsCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Replacing collective farms with individual farms
   3. C.Dividing all estates into privately owned plantations
   4. D.Transferring all agricultural land to foreign firms

   Explanation: The Library of Congress describes the plan as "transforming Soviet agriculture from predominantly individual farms into a system of large state collective farms." The other options reverse or change the intended structure.

   Reference: Revelations from the Russian Archives: Internal Workings of the Soviet Union — Collectivization and Industrialization

5. 5Which two governments signed the nonaggression pact in August 1939?

   1. A.Nazi Germany and the Soviet UnionCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Britain and the Soviet Union
   3. C.Poland and Nazi Germany
   4. D.France and Nazi Germany

   Explanation: The Library of Congress states that "the Nazis and Soviets signed a non-aggression pact" in August 1939. The other pairs identify different combinations of states.

   Reference: The Nazi War Atlas of Operation Barbarossa — Paragraph beginning “In August of 1939”

6. 6What action by the Soviet Union precipitated the Berlin Blockade crisis?

   1. A.Cutting land and river access to West BerlinCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Opening a land corridor into West Berlin
   3. C.Removing Soviet forces from East Germany
   4. D.Reducing restrictions on access to West Berlin

   Explanation: The Library of Congress reports that the USSR "had cut off all land and river access to Allied-controlled West Berlin." The alternatives change the action or its location.

   Reference: Of Note: From a Cow in a Chapel to the Berlin Blockade — Paragraph beginning “Jessup’s diplomatic career”

7. 7What happened to Lavrenti Beria after Stalin's death in 1953?

   1. A.He was purged and later executed.Correct answer: A
   2. B.He retained his position as security chief.
   3. C.He succeeded Stalin as the long-term leader.
   4. D.He retired from politics without punishment.

   Explanation: The Library of Congress states that Beria was "purged from the Communist Party and power and later executed." The other choices misstate his political fate.

   Reference: Revelations from the Russian Archives: Internal Workings of the Soviet Union — Secret Police: Lavrenti Beria

8. 8What economic tendency did the 1965 Kosygin reform proposals seek to encourage at the enterprise level?

   1. A.Greater incentives and freedom for enterprisesCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Fewer incentives and tighter enterprise controls
   3. C.Enterprise decisions determined solely by local councils
   4. D.Mandatory replacement of incentives with fixed commands

   Explanation: The Joint Economic Committee study identifies proposals dealing with "incentives and increased freedom for enterprises." The alternatives reverse or replace that direction.

   Reference: New Directions in the Soviet Economy, Part I: Economic Policy — The Developments in Economic Organization, p. 12

9. 9What happened to Soviet troops in Afghanistan during Gorbachev's leadership?

   1. A.They withdrew from the country.Correct answer: A
   2. B.They expanded their occupation indefinitely.
   3. C.They increased their deployment for the duration of his leadership.
   4. D.They remained stationed after the Soviet Union dissolved.

   Explanation: The Library of Congress records that "Soviet forces withdrew from Afghanistan" during the period of perestroika. The other options change the reported outcome.

   Reference: Revelations from the Russian Archives: Internal Workings of the Soviet Union — Perestroika

10. 10What legal change did Alexander II's 1861 Emancipation Manifesto make in Russia?

    1. A.It abolished serfdom.Correct answer: A
    2. B.It extended serfdom to free peasants.
    3. C.It retained serfdom but reduced redemption payments.
    4. D.It transferred serfs between private landlords.

    Explanation: The Library of Congress describes the "Manifesto that abolished serfdom in Russia." It also notes that emancipated serfs received land, so abolition of peasant landholding is the opposite of the stated change.

    Reference: World Treasures: Rule of Law — Miniature Copy of 1861 Emancipation Manifesto