Russian Revolution, 1917–1922

Causes of the Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution was caused by a combination of long-term political, social, and economic problems. Tsar Nicholas II maintained an authoritarian system and resisted meaningful democratic reform, while the legacy of the 1905 Revolution, the limited powers of the Duma, and the Bloody Sunday massacre increased opposition to the monarchy. Peasants remained dissatisfied with land ownership and redemption payments after emancipation, while industrial workers faced overcrowded housing, low wages, long hours, harsh discipline, and unsafe working conditions. Rapid industrialization concentrated large numbers of discontented workers in cities, making strikes and protests more likely. World War I intensified these existing problems. Military defeats, enormous casualties, shortages of weapons and food, inflation, and the disruption of transport weakened public confidence in the government and destroyed army morale. Nicholas II worsened the crisis by taking personal command of the army, making him directly responsible for defeats. Suspicions surrounding the German-born Tsarina Alexandra, Rasputin's influence, corruption, and ineffective ministerial appointments further damaged the monarchy's legitimacy. Food shortages, rising prices, strikes, peasant unrest, and growing support for socialist and revolutionary parties eventually produced the February Revolution and the collapse of Tsarist rule in 1917.

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World War I and Russia

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