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__NOTOC__[[File: 1106px-Family Nicholas II of Russia ca. 1914.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Tsar Nicholas II and his Family 1913]]The Russian Romanov dynasty collapsed in the chaos of the Russian Revolution of 1917 was . The rise of the Soviet Union from the ashes of the Romanovs is perhaps the most important event in the twentieth century. It saw the world’s first Communist government , and it led to a wave of communist inspired revolutions around the world and ultimately the Cold War. The Revolution is often shown to be inevitable because of the unequal nature of Russian society and its undemocratic political system. However, the Russian Revolution was not unavoidable and was a direct result of the impact of the First World War on Russia.

==Back Ground==Background====Russia was and is a vast and diverse country with a huge multi-ethnic population. The Russian Empire was an autocracy, where effectively the Tsar’s will was the law. Tsar Nicholas II ‘indulged in a fantasy of absolute power’ and he believed that he had been appointed by God to the throne.<ref>Figes, Orlando. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014024364X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014024364X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=06c5bfa36690a28acda82d3d2a108211 A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution: 1891-1924]''.(Pimlico, 1996), p. 23</ref> The Tsarist government repressed any signs of organized dissent , and as a result , there were many political prisoners. Russia was changing in the early years of the twentieth century. It was rapidly industrializing , and the country’s economy was growing fast.<ref>Figes, p. 86</ref> A new industrial class of workers was emerging and society was becoming increasingly urbanised. However, this class was impoverished and lived and worked in appalling conditions. The majority of the population were still peasants that often worked the land for wealthy landlords and endured lives of great hardship. The industrial workers and the peasants did not benefit from the economic expansion in anyway. Russia’s economic growth did create a new middle class. However, this class was excluded from the political system and resented the Tsar’s restrictions on its political and personal freedoms. Only the aristocracy and the elite supported the Tsarist government and only out of self-interest. [[File: 1106px-Family Nicholas II of Russia ca. 1914.jpg|thumbnail|Tsar Nicholas II and his Family 1913]]==1905 Revolution==There was widespread discontent in the Russian Empire. Since the 1890s, various terrorist organizations had waged a violent campaign against the Tsar’s regime. There were many radical political parties active in the country, including the Bolshevik party. <ref>Wood, Alan (1993). ''The Origins of the Russian Revolution, 1861-1917''. London: Routledge</ref> Many people believed that Russian was ripe for a revolution. In 1905 Russia was routed by the Japanese Empire in a brief war in North East Asia. This was a national humiliation and the Tsar and his government became very unpopular. Immediately, those who were unhappy with the existing system began to agitate for change. When Cossacks violently broke up a demonstration in St Petersburg, with many deaths, the country saw widespread revolts. The Tsar faced losing power and made significant concessions to secure his position. He granted a constitution and allowed for the creation of an elected Parliament the Duma, all of which limited his powers.<ref>Figes, p. 65</ref> This managed to placate the revolutionaries and order and calm was restored. The Tsar promised reforms, including land reform and vowed to respect the constitution. In the years following Nicholas II failed to implement meaningful reforms, although there were some ‘real and positive changes.<ref>Lincoln, W. Bruce. ''Passage Through Armageddon: The Russians in War and Revolution, 1914–1918''. (New York, 1986), p. 4.</ref> The economy improved after 1905 and the Tsar began to win back some support. However, radicals were unhappy with the situation and plotted revolution, either in Russia or in exile, such as Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik Party of Communists in Switzerland.

==World War I==In 1913 there were lavish public celebrations of the 300th anniversary A new industrial class of the Romanov Dynasty’s rule in Russia. The Tsar used the anniversary to demonstrate that he workers was appointed by God to rule ‘all the Russia’s.<ref>Figesemerging, p. 117.<ref> That year the Tsar and his family were very popular and it seemed to the revolutionaries that there would never be a revolutionsociety was becoming increasingly urbanized. However, after the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand, Europe was plunged into war. Russia this class was allied with France impoverished and Britain against Germany, Austro-Hungary lived and Turkey. Russia invaded Prussia worked in 1914, but after some initial success was defeatedappalling conditions. It also fought campaigns against The majority of the population were still peasants that often worked the Ottoman land for wealthy landlords and Austro-Hungarian Empireendured lives of great hardship. The war on industrial workers and the peasants did not benefit from the Eastern Front became bogged down economic expansion in trench warfareany way. Russia endured very heavy casualties and it placed Russia’s economic growth did create a great strain on its resourcesnew middle class. Poverty increased and food supplies became scarcer and the lives of many ordinary people became intolerable. The Tsarist government became very unpopular. A scandal also made the Tsar and his family hated by many. A Siberian holy manHowever, called Rasputin gained great influence with this class was excluded from the Tsar political system and his family, as he claimed to have resented the ability to heal the crown prince’s haemophilia. This brought him ‘immense power Tsar’s restrictions on its political and prestige at Court’ but it scandalized many.<ref>Figes, p. 31personal freedoms.</ref> By 1917, Only the Russian people were war weary aristocracy and strikes became very common. The Tsar refused to enter into peace negotiations with the Central Powers, despite several defeats on elite supported the Eastern Front Tsarist government and the suffering just out of the ordinary peopleself-interest.

==February and October Revolutions 1917==1905 Revolution====By February 1917 the situation was unbearable for the average Russian soldier and citizens[[File:The_Russian_Revolution,_1905_Q81553. A series jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Barricades manned by workers of strikes were staged Schmidt factory in StMoscow, Dec. Petersburg and 1905]] There was widespread discontent in the Tsar ordered Russian Empire. Since the army to break 1890s, various terrorist organizations had waged a violent campaign against the strikesTsar’s regime. Instead There were many radical political parties active in the army mutinied and began to fraternize with country, including the strikersBolshevik party.<ref>Robert Service Wood, Alan (20051993). ''A history [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415307341/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415307341&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c7ddf62267e62ec99e78cd6a10e4245b The Origins of modern Russia from Nicholas II to Vladimir Putinthe Russian Revolution, 1861-1917]''. Harvard University PressLondon: Routledge</ref> The authority of the Tsar simply ebbed away and he Many people believed that Russian was forced to abdicateripe for a revolution. A Provisional Government that claimed to represent In 1905 Russia was routed by the workers and the peasants took powerJapanese Empire in a brief war in North East Asia. This became known as the October Revolution.<ref>Malonedefeat was a national humiliation, Richard (2004). ''Analyzing and the Russian Revolution''Tsar and his government became very unpopular. Australia: Cambridge University Press. p. 67.</ref>

HoweverImmediately, following those who were unhappy with the collapse existing system began to agitate for change. When Cossacks violently broke up a demonstration in the Tsarist government St Petersburg, with many local committees known as Sovietsdeaths, took the country saw widespread revolts. The Tsar faced losing power all over Russiaand made significant concessions to secure his position. They often refused to recognize He granted a constitution and allowed for the authority creation of an elected Parliament the Provisional GovernmentDuma, all of which limited his powers. Many of the Soviets were dominated by the Bolsheviks or Communists who were loyal to their exiled leader Lenin<ref>Figes, p. The Provisional government wanted 65</ref> This managed to continue with appease the war revolutionaries and order and this made it very unpopular with many especially the Sovietscalm was restored. Radical groups like the Bolsheviks stated that they wanted to bring an end The Tsar promised reforms, including land reform and vowed to respect the warconstitution. They also made themselves very popular by promising food In the years following Nicholas II failed to the people implement meaningful reforms, although there were some ‘real and the redistribution of landpositive changes.<ref>Lincoln, W. Bruce. ''[https://www.amazon. Their slogan was ‘Peace com/gp/product/0671557092/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0671557092&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=500d3127c72c2c8c8d421483668da68a Passage Through Armageddon: The Russians in War and Bread’Revolution, 1914–1918]''. The Provisional Government was fast losing control of the situation(New York, 1986), p. 4. </ref> Russian soldiers began deserting The economy improved after 1905 and the army was close Tsar began to defeatwin back some support. However, radicals were unhappy with the situation and plotted revolution, either in Russia or in exile, such as Lenin, leader of the Provisional Government, Alexander Kerensky refused to compromise. This was to prove fatalBolshevik Party of Communists in Switzerland.

Lenin organised his Bolshevik forces and decided ====World War I====[[File:1200px-Russian_Troops_NGM-v31-p372.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Russian troops moving to stage a revolt that would seize power the front lines in Petrograd (formerly known as St Petersburg). On 1917]]In 1913 there were lavish public celebrations of the night 300th anniversary of October they seized the Winter Palace and ousted Romanov Dynasty’s rule in Russia. The Tsar used the Provisional Government. anniversary to demonstrate that he was appointed by God to rule The event became known as ‘all the October RevolutionRussia’s.<ref>Figes, p. 117. The next day </ref> That year the world’s was amazed Tsar and his family were very popular, and it seemed to hear of the first Communist government in historyrevolutionaries that there would never be a revolution. However, it after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Europe was only after a brutal civil plunged into war that resulted . Russia was allied with France and Britain against Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Turkey. Russia invaded Prussia in millions of deaths that 1914, but after some initial success was defeated. It also fought campaigns against the Communist were able to take full control of RussiaOttoman and Austro-Hungarian Empire.

<dh-ad/> The war on the Eastern Front became bogged down in trench warfare. Russia endured very heavy casualties, and it placed a great strain on its resources. Food supplies became scarce and poverty spread across Russia. Essentially, the lives of most Russians became intolerable. The Tsarist government became very unpopular. A scandal also made the Tsar and his family hated by many. A Siberian holy man, called Rasputin gained great influence with the Tsar and his family, as he claimed to have the ability to heal the crown prince’s hemophilia. This brought him ‘immense power and prestige at Court,’ but it scandalized many.<ref>Figes, p. 31.</ref> By 1917, the Russian people were war-weary, and strikes became very common. The Tsar refused to enter into peace negotiations with the Central Powers, despite several defeats on the Eastern Front and the suffering of the ordinary people. ====February and October Revolutions 1917==Conclusions==[[File:19170704_Riot_on_Nevsky_prosp_Petrograd.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Troops open fire on Russian protesters in 1917.]] By February 1917 the situation was unbearable for the average Russian soldier and citizens. A series of strikes were staged in St. Petersburg and the Tsar ordered the army to break the strikes. Instead, the army mutinied and began to fraternize with the strikers.<ref>Robert Service (2005). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/067401801X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=067401801X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=1f1aedc66cb1d26dbbb2b33138bcf078 A history of modern Russia from Nicholas II to Vladimir Putin]''. Harvard University Press</ref> The authority of the Tsar simply ebbed away, and he was forced to abdicate. A Provisional Government that claimed to represent the workers and the peasants took power. This became known as the October Revolution.<ref>, Malone, Richard (2004). ''Analyzing the Russian Revolution was caused ''. Australia: Cambridge University Press. p. 67.</ref> However, following the collapse in the Tsarist government many local committees are known as Soviets, took power all over Russia. They often refused to recognize the authority of the Provisional Government. Many of the Soviets were dominated by the Bolsheviks or Communists who were loyal to their exiled leader Lenin. The Provisional government wanted to continue with the war, and this made it very unpopular with many especially the Soviets. Radical groups like the Bolsheviks stated that they wanted to bring an end to the war. They also made themselves very popular by promising food to the people and the redistribution of land. Their slogan was ‘Peace and Bread.’ The Provisional Government was fast losing control of the situation. Russian soldiers began deserting, and the army was close to defeat. However, the leader of the Provisional Government, Alexander Kerensky refused to compromise. This was to prove fatal. Lenin organized his Bolshevik forces and decided to stage a revolt that would seize power in Petrograd (formerly known as St Petersburg). On the night of October, they seized the Winter Palace and ousted the Provisional Government. The event became known as the October Revolution. The next day the world’s was amazed to hear of the first Communist government in history. However, it was only after a brutal civil war that resulted in millions of deaths that the Communist were able to take full control of Russia. ====Conclusions====Many factorscaused the Russian Revolution. Including an The autocratic Tsarist regime that was unwilling to change with the their society. That made itself unpopular with its The Regime's repressive policies and scandalsfurther undermined its legitimacy. However, this did not make the Russian Revolution inevitable. The catalyst for the revolution was the First World War. It accentuated the tensions in Russian society and unleashed forces that Romanov regime could not control. The suffering people and the common soldiers grew impatient and demanded immediate change and above all peace. The failure of the Tsarist regime to end the war resulted in the collapse of the Romanov Dynasty. <div class="portal" style="width:85%;">====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[How did Vladimir Lenin Rise To Power?]]*[[Why was Germany defeated at the First Battle of the Marne (1914)]]*[[Origins of World War One - Top Ten Booklist]]*[[What was the impact of Ivan the Terrible on Russia?]]*[[Why did Germany not achieve victory at Verdun in 1916?]]</div> ====References====<references/>{{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Russian History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:World War Two History]] [[Category:World War One History]] Updated January 19, 2019