I found a sort of mark scheme, they combined two questions from previous years, for the Nichloas the second part its
Ever since his accession in 1894 Nicholas had been perceived as a weakand talentless ruler, dominated by his wife Alexandra. His obstinaterefusal to modify Tsarist autocracy had contributed to the outbreak ofthe 1905 revolution, and to the weaknesses of the Duma systemestablished in 1906. His decision to appoint himself Commander-in-Chiefin 1915 meant that he became personally responsible for all thesubsequent military setbacks, and left the government of the country inthe hands of his wife and Rasputin.Other factors which led to the February/March revolution include thefailure to provide sufficient food and other supplies for the cities, andthe devastating effects of high inflation. Failures in the field affectedmorale, which rapidly collapsed in 1917. Demonstrations in Petrograd inJanuary and February 1917, especially International Women’s Day, led tothe defection of sections of the armed forces and the rapid collapse ofTsarism. Unlike 1905, traditional supporters of the Tsar, including thearmy and the Dumas, did nothing to prevent that collapse.
For the PG part
The question is focused on the period from March to November 1917 andrequires a judgement on why the Provisional Government was so short-lived.The government faced acute problems from the outset, not least the creationof dual power and the strong hold which the Petrograd Soviet developed overthe army. The government’s early reforms were aimed at creating a liberaland democratic Russia at a time when the country faced far more pressingproblems, including the supply of food and fuel for the towns, and peasantdemands for a settlement to the land problem. The failure to end the war wasa major factor contributing to the fall of the government, especially followingthe disastrous June offensive. By October military discipline had virtuallycollapsed. In April 1917 Lenin returned to Russia, refusing to work with otherparties, but instead persuading his party to mount a coup. While the JulyDays were a failure, the November rising was prepared more carefully anddirected by Trotsky. A simple outline, perhaps focused on Lenin and theBolsheviks, will be marked within Levels 1 and 2, and progression will dependon relevance and range of accurate material. Answers which begin to providean explanation of why the Provisional Government failed will access Level 3,though there may be some sections of narrative material. At Level 4 therewill be an explicit attempt to analyse a number of reasons for the fall of thegovernment, though the answer may lack balance. At Level 5 will be anattempt to evaluate the significance of