Tsar Nicholas II Research Paper

As of three days ago, after about a year of armistice, Russia officially ended the war on the Eastern front after signing the Treaty of Brest Litovsk. The abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in March of last year sent the country into a spiral of chaos, ultimately sending the country into the hands of the communism and resulting in the Russia’s withdrawal from the war. The sudden takeover of the Bolsheviks over Russia has not only startled America, but also caused it to question: Is it time to join the war? Initially, Russia had strong support from its people regarding their involvement in the war. However, under the unsatisfactory leadership of Tsar Nicholas II, Russian resentment grew as the demands of the war undermined the Russian government’s efficiency. Due to military demands, the Tsar was absent and left incompetent government leaders in control of affairs, further weakening the autocracy. Soon, hunger was widespread and various political factions began to resist the government. In March, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated and the government fell to the constitutional democrats, or Cadets who controlled the Provisional Government. This relocation of power coincided with the formation of soviets, or councils of workers that associated

Disorganization of the army, food shortages, and the Provisional Government’s decision to adopt the Tsar’s now unfavorable foreign policy of keeping Russia in the war lessened their popularity and made room for the rise of the Bolshevik Social Democratic Party. Exiled from Germany, the coherent speaker and leader of the Bolsheviks, Lenin promised the disgruntled peasants a brighter future. He then focused all of the power into the soviets, which he controlled. After attempting a coup, Lenin fled for Finland, but later returned, convinced that it was time to take power. Another coup was organized on November 6th and resulted in the rule of the Bolsheviks over