The Fall of the Tsarist Monarchy in Russia

Remembering How the Russian Monarchy Crumbled

Emperor Nicholas II (public domain image from Wiki Commons)

The Tsarist monarchy reigned in Russia into the 20th century. Shortly before, Nicholas II ascended the throne and would be the last to do so. For events in the 20th century, increasing opposition to the Tsarist monarchy would result in the Russian Revolution of 1917.

In the early 20th century, a hoped-for new era in Russia did not really emerge. Calls for democratic reforms in Russia were largely ignored by Nicholas II. However, this would change in 1904.

In 1904, a group of protesters gathered outside the Winter Palace. These protests were largely peaceful. Despite this, Guards outside the Winter Palace began to open fire on the protesters. This sparked further widespread protests and the beginning of the 1905 revolution.

The 1905 revolution (public domain image from Wiki Commons)

In response, Nicholas II agreed to introduce a range of reforms. Among these were the founding of the Duma, the constitutional monarchy, and the Russian constitution of 1906. This satisfied most in Russia, and the protesters began to disband.

However, it was a clear sign to the Russian monarchy of the new opposition groups that were emerging. Militant groups such as the Bolsheviks began to increase in number. The Bolsheviks were anti-monarchist and supported the Communist Manifesto. Between 1906 and 1909, such groups became increasingly active.

However, Nicholas II remained on the throne. With the reforms of 1905, further economic reform was more limited. Sergie Witte and his polices saw the investment and expansion of railroads in Russia. Small pockets of industry began to emerge in cities such as Petrograd. Textiles, engineering, coal mining, steel, and oil industries all expanded considerably in Russia. However, Russia was still a long way behind the likes of Great Britain and Germany economically.

Given this, Russia was still not especially prepared for war. Military weaknesses were highlighted during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904. However, when it came in 1914, Russia was generally behind the war effort, and Nicholas II assumed high command of the Russian army. However, Germany had a far better-equipped army that would inflict a number of defeats on the Russians in Eastern Europe.

Russan troops at the Russo-Japanese War (public domain image from Wiki Commons)

Therefore, by 1916, Russia was losing the war. The troops were poorly equipped, and the defeats in the war lost the support of soldiers. As commander-in-chief of the army, Nicholas II was considered largely responsible for such defeats. The economic impact of the war was also felt with a breakdown of food and fuel supplies in the cities, as well as increasing inflation with fourfold price increases.

Protests and strikes began in the cities in February 1917. Equally, parties such as the Kadets, Social Revolutionaries, and Social Democrats offered little support for the Russian monarchy. As the troops and soldiers began to join and equip the protesters, Nicholas II eventually abdicated from the Russian throne.

Lenin in 1917 (public domain image from Wiki Commons)

Any potential successor to Nicholas II would also have little support. Therefore, the Tsarist monarchy had an empty throne. As such, with the fall of the Tsarist monarchy in Russia, a provisional government was formed.