The exam paper focuses on Tsarist and Communist Russia (1855–1964). Section A examines the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, analyzing political and social factors that contributed to the collapse of the Romanov dynasty, including military involvement and governmental paralysis. Section B addresses key historical topics: the effectiveness of Alexander II’s reforms (1855–1881), the economic and social impacts of Lenin’s and Stalin’s agricultural policies (1917–1941), and the threat posed by internal opposition to Stalin and Khrushchev’s authority (1945–1964). Major themes include political leadership, reform, and the dynamics of authority in Russia’s tumultuous history.