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[[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 Romanovs' ashes 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 directly resulted from the impact of the First World War on Russia. ==At the turn of the 20th Century how was Russia changing? ==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 God had appointed him 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 direct 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 urbanized. 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 any way. 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 just out of self-interest. ==What was the 1905 Revolution in Russia?==[[File:The_Russian_Revolution,_1905_Q81553.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Barricades manned by workers of Schmidt factory in Moscow, Dec. 1905]] impact 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). ''[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 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 defeat 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 Duma. This parliament then limited his powers.<ref>Figes, p. 65</ref> This managed to appease the revolutionaries, and order and calm were restored. The Tsar promised reforms, including land reform, and vowed to respect the constitution. In the First years following, Nicholas II failed to implement meaningful reforms, although some ‘real and positive changes.<ref>Lincoln, W. Bruce. ''[https://www.amazon.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 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, the Bolshevik Party of Communists in Switzerland. ==How did World War on I fundamentally change Russia?==[[File:1200px-Russian_Troops_NGM-v31-p372.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Russian troops moving to the front lines in 1917]]In 1913, there were lavish public celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty’s rule in Russia. The Tsar used the anniversary to demonstrate that God appointed him to rule ‘all the Russia’s.<ref>Figes, 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 revolution. However, after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Europe was plunged into war. Russia was allied with France and Britain against Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Turkey. Russiainvaded Prussia in 1914, but after some initial success, was defeated.It also fought campaigns against the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires.  <dh-ad/>

==Back Ground==The war on the Eastern Front became bogged down in trench warfare. Russia was endured hefty casualties, and is it placed a vast great strain on its resources. Food supplies became scarce, and diverse country with a huge multi-ethnic populationpoverty spread across Russia. The Russian Empire was an autocracyEssentially, where effectively the Tsar’s will was lives of most Russians became intolerable. The Tsarist government became very unpopular. A scandal also made the law. Tsar Nicholas II ‘indulged in a fantasy of absolute power’ and he believed that he had been appointed his family hated by God to the throne.<ref>Figes, Orlandomany. ''A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution: 1891-1924''.(PimlicoSiberian holy man called Rasputin, 1996)gained great influence with the Tsar and his family, 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 he claimed to have the early years of ability to heal the twentieth centurycrown prince’s hemophilia. It was rapidly industrializing This brought him ‘immense power and the country’s economy was growing fastprestige at Court,’ but it scandalized many.<ref>Figes, p. 8631.</ref> A new industrial class of workers was emerging and society was becoming increasingly urbanised. HoweverBy 1917, this class was impoverished and lived and worked in appalling conditions. The majority of the population Russian people were still peasants that often worked the land for wealthy landlords war-weary, and endured lives of great hardshipstrikes became very common. The industrial workers and the peasants did not benefit from Tsar refused to enter into peace negotiations with the economic expansion in anyway. Russia’s economic growth did create a new middle class. HoweverCentral Powers, this class was excluded from the political system and resented the Tsar’s restrictions despite several defeats on its political and personal freedoms. Only the aristocracy Eastern Front and the elite supported the Tsarist government and only out of self-interestordinary people's suffering.

==1905 What was the Russian Revolutionof 1917?==[[File:The_Russian_Revolution,_1905_Q8155319170704_Riot_on_Nevsky_prosp_Petrograd.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Barricades manned by workers of Schmidt factory Troops open fire on Russian protesters in Moscow, Dec1917. 1905]] There By February 1917, the situation was widespread discontent in unbearable for the average Russian Empiresoldier and citizens. A series of strikes were staged in St. Since Petersburg, and the 1890s, various terrorist organizations had waged a violent campaign against Tsar ordered the army to break the Tsar’s regimestrikes. There were many radical political parties active in Instead, the country, including army mutinied and began to fraternize with the Bolshevik partystrikers. <ref>Wood, Alan Robert Service (19932005). ''The Origins [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 the Russian Revolution, 1861-1917modern Russia from Nicholas II to Vladimir Putin]''. London: RoutledgeHarvard University Press</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 authority of the Tsar ebbed away, and his government became very unpopularhe was forced to abdicate. Immediately, those who were unhappy with the existing system began A Provisional Government that claimed to agitate for change. When Cossacks violently broke up a demonstration in St Petersburg, with many deaths, represent the country saw widespread revolts. The Tsar faced losing power and made significant concessions to secure his position. He granted a constitution workers and allowed for the creation of an elected Parliament the Duma, all of which limited his powers.<ref>Figes, ppeasants took power. 65</ref> This managed to placate became known as 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 changesOctober Revolution.<ref>Lincoln, W. BruceMalone, Richard (2004). ''Passage Through Armageddon: The Russians in War and Analyzing the Russian Revolution, 1914–1918''. (New York, 1986), Australia: Cambridge University Press. p. 467.</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==[[File:1200px-Russian_Troops_NGM-v31-p372However, following the Tsarist government's collapse, many local committees are known as Soviets and took power all over Russia.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Russian troops moving They often refused to recognize the front lines in 1917]]In 1913 there were lavish public celebrations authority of the 300th anniversary Provisional Government. Many of the Romanov Dynasty’s rule in RussiaSoviets were dominated by the Bolsheviks or Communists loyal to their exiled leader Lenin. The Tsar used Provisional government wanted to continue with the war, which made it very unpopular with many, especially the Soviets. Radical groups like the anniversary Bolsheviks stated that they wanted to demonstrate that he was appointed by God bring an end to rule ‘all the Russia’swar.<ref>Figes, p. 117.</ref> That year the Tsar and his family were They also made themselves very popular and it seemed by promising food to the revolutionaries that there would never be a revolution. However, after people and the assassination redistribution of the Archduke Ferdinand, Europe was plunged into warland. Russia Their slogan was allied with France ‘Peace and Britain against Germany, Austro-Hungary and TurkeyBread. Russia invaded Prussia in 1914, but after some initial success ’ The Provisional Government was defeatedfast losing control of the situation. It also fought campaigns against the Ottoman Russian soldiers began deserting, and Austro-Hungarian Empire. The war on the Eastern Front became bogged down in trench warfarearmy was close to defeat. Russia endured very heavy casualties and it placed a great strain on its resources. Poverty increased and food supplies became scarcer and However, the lives leader 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 manProvisional Government, called Rasputin gained great influence with the Tsar and his familyAlexander Kerensky, as he claimed refused to have the ability to heal the crown prince’s haemophiliacompromise. 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 was to enter into peace negotiations with the Central Powers, despite several defeats on the Eastern Front and the suffering of the ordinary peopleprove fatal.

==February Lenin organized his Bolshevik forces and October Revolutions 1917==[[File:19170704_Riot_on_Nevsky_prosp_Petrograd.jpg|thumbnail|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 decided to stage a revolt that would seize Petrograd's power (formerly known as St. Petersburg and the Tsar ordered the army to break the strikes). Instead On the army mutinied and began to fraternize with the strikers.<ref>Robert Service (2005). ''A history of modern Russia from Nicholas II to Vladimir Putin''. Harvard University Press</ref> The authority night of October, they seized the Tsar simply ebbed away Winter Palace and he was forced to abdicate. A ousted the Provisional Government that claimed to represent the workers and the peasants took power. This The event became known as the October Revolution.<ref>MaloneThe next day the world was amazed to hear of the first Communist government in history. However, Richard (2004). ''Analyzing only after a brutal civil war resulted in millions of deaths that the Russian Revolution''. Australia: Cambridge University Press. p. 67Communist were able to take full control of Russia.</ref>

However, following ==Why was the collapse in Romanov family overthrown? ==Many factors caused the Russian Revolution. The autocratic Tsarist government many local committees known as Soviets, took power all over Russiaregime was unwilling to change with their society. They often refused to recognize the authority of the Provisional GovernmentThe Regime's repressive policies and scandals further undermined its legitimacy. Many of However, this did not make the Soviets were dominated by the Bolsheviks or Communists who were loyal to their exiled leader LeninRussian Revolution inevitable. The Provisional government wanted to continue with catalyst for the war and this made it very unpopular with many especially revolution was the SovietsFirst World War. Radical groups like It accentuated the Bolsheviks stated tensions in Russian society and unleashed forces that they wanted to bring an end to the warRomanov regime could not control. They also made themselves very popular by promising food to the The suffering people and the redistribution of land. Their slogan was ‘Peace common soldiers grew impatient and demanded immediate change and Bread’, above all, peace. The Provisional Government was fast losing control failure of the situation. Russian soldiers began deserting and Tsarist regime to end the army was close to defeat. However, war resulted in the leader collapse of the Provisional Government, Alexander Kerensky refused to compromise. This was to prove fatalRomanov Dynasty.

==Conclusions==Related DailyHistory.org Articles====The Russian Revolution was caused by many factors. Including an autocratic Tsarist regime that was unwilling to change with the society. That made itself unpopular with its repressive policies and scandals. However, this *[[How did not make the Russian Revolution inevitable. The catalyst for the revolution Vladimir Lenin Rise To Power?]]*[[Why was Germany defeated at the First Battle of the Marne (1914)]]*[[Origins of World War. It accentuated One - Top Ten Booklist]]*[[What was 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 impact of Ivan the Tsarist regime to end the war resulted Terrible on Russia?]]*[[Why did Germany not achieve victory at Verdun in the collapse of the Romanov Dynasty.1916?]]</div>

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