Discontent in Tsarist Russia

Why was there a threat to the Tsar’s Russia in 1917?

In February 1917, Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown by a revolution. This ended the 400 year rule of the Romanov dynasty. Throughout the winter of 1916-1917, the Tsar’s rule had been increasingly under threat. This was because of mass discontent in Russia: the peasants and town workers were angry at their working and living conditions, and there were growing political challenges from the Bolsheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries. Finally, the terrible impacts of the First World War led to Tsar Nicholas’ fall.

Tsar Nicholas II and the Romanov children visiting a Kuban Cossack regiment in 1916 during World War I. From left to right, Grand Duchess Anastasia, Grand Duchess Olga, Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarevich Alexei, Grand Duchess Tatiana, and Grand Duchess Maria.

Peasants
Workers
Political Challenges
Impacts of World War I
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