Economic Inequality

• Imperial Russia ruled with a heavy hand under these autocratic czarist regimes, which resulted in oppressive economic and socialist conditions throughout the country. This wide chasm between Imperial Russia and her people united the underclasses in an attempt to establish a more constitutional monarchy, and created an animosity for the ruling czar. Two previous, unsuccessful revolts had been staged, one in 1825 under Tsar Nicholas I, and one in 1905 under his son and successor, Tsar Nicholas II.
  
  

Tsar Nicholas II

• Tsar Nicholas II did not help bridge this chasm when, under the influence of his wife and self-styled holy man and healer Rasputin, fought to maintain the autocracy of the Romanov dynasty. His own uncompromising style of leadership would figuratively throw gas on the fire of the growing dissent. In 1905, hundreds of unarmed demonstrators were shot in cold blood in St. Petersburg, which sparked more demonstrations, strikes and protests. His harsh response to this, coupled with the defeat in battles against the Japanese in 1904 and 1905, undermined his credibility to an increasingly hostile country.
  
  

World War I

• In the early part of the 20th century, Russia was behind other parts of the world in terms of the Industrial Revolution. Their contribution to World War I was mostly manpower, which the impoverished country could not bear to lose. More than 15 million men were sent off into war, which created havoc in Russia's industrial and agricultural production. Not only was Russia unable to adequately arm and provision its soldiers, but the scarcity of workers put an enormous strain on an already buckling economy.
  
  

The October Revolution

• Tsar Nicholas II abdicated his throne in March of 1917 to his brother, Grand Duke Mikhail Aleksandrovich. The Grand Duke, however, refused, which brought an immediate end to Imperial Russia. The Provisional Government aimed to stay in the war until it was won, which caused dissent and ultimately conflict with the Petrograd Soviet. The Soviets had undergone a transformation from those seeking and supporting a parliamentary democracy to those who favored socialism. This resulted mostly from the Provisional Government investing its energy into the war effort rather than reconstructing Russia and resolving its social and economic crises. The revolution in October dissolved the Provisional Government, leaving the Congress of Soviets to restructure the new government.