The Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution signaled the end of the Czarist reign and paved the way for the communist government to take over. The czars had ruled Russia for centuries in an autocracy, but the people were getting tired of the way that the czars had ruled Russia. Many people were starving due to food shortages, but the czar decided to use force to stop the people from protesting. Also, the czar's family had become associated with Rasputin. Rasputin had a large influence on the Russian czar, but many people didn't trust Rasputin. World War 1 was the final trigger. The Russians entered the war without being well prepared. The Central Powers were slaughtering the Russian army in the war. Millions of soldiers had been killed, injured, or taken prisoner. Finally, the Russian people couldn't take it any more and they revolted. On March 13, 1917, Czar Nicolas II abdicated his throne. The Provisional government was set up after that, but it didn't do a good job of maintaining control. The Provisional Government's decision to stay in the war made them very unpopular, and it costed them dearly. By November of the same year, the the Boplshevik party, led by Vladmir Lenin, had taken over Russia. Lenin was a stronger leader who was able to maintain power when confronted. He managed to unite Russia under a communist government.