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War broke out between Russia and Japan. Nicholas II called on his people to fight for "the Faith, the Tsar, and the Fatherland". Despite all of the Russians efforts, the Russians suffered a humiliating defeat.
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Marchers flowed through the streets of St. Petersburg to the tsar's Palace. The tsar sent soldiers as the people approached. Hundreds of men and women fell dead and wounded in the snow. "Bloody Sunday" killed the people's faith and trust in the tsar, and sparked the Revolution.
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Discontent spread across Russia. Peasants revloted, demanding land, terrorists targeted officials and some assasins were cheered on as heroes. Nicholas was forced to announce sweeping reforms, promising freedom of person, conscience, speech, assembly and union.
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Russia entered into the first World War with a large army of 1,400,000 soilders. Russia became involved because of their ally Serbia was attacked by Austria-Hungary.
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Rasputin was known as an illiterate peasant, and self-proclaimed "holy man". Rasputins influence over Alexandra had reached new heights and weakened confidence in the government. A group of Russian nobles killed Rasputin, fearing for the monarchy.
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In the February peasants go into strikes and protests within cities as their reaction to World War I. Angry crowds protested the war and the shortage of food. They overthrew the officials, leading to the abdication of the Tsar.
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After the strikes and protests within the cities, Nicholas II abdicated, or stepped down from the thrown, giving away his power.
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In November, peasants began to have riots over lack of food. A group called the Bolsheviks lead by Lenin and professional revolutionaries seized control. They stormed the winter palace, arresting the duma. Then the Bolsheviks controlled the government.
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The Russians finally surendered to the Germans in March 1918.
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Conflict arose in which the Red Army successfully defended the newly formed Bolshevik government against various Russians anti-Bolshevik armies. Lasting for 2-3 years.
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The Romanov family was murdered by the Bolsheviks. They didn't believe in the way they ruled, and they wanted to rule Russia. The family was put under house arrest, and became the prisoner of the Bolsheviks until they were executed.
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Lenin became the first leader of the Soviet Union and helped the Bolshevik Revolution. Just before his death, Lenin's government nationalized and distributed land which then formed the USSR.
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Stalin took power after Lenin died in 1924.Trotsky the Bolshevik leader was eventually murdered, putting him out of the picture. This left Stalin to create a totalitarian state.