Russia in 1914, World War I, Nicholas II and the February and October Revolutions of 1917

What this note covers

1. Russia in 1914: an autocracy under strain
2. War strain: military failure, personal rule and Rasputin
3. February 1917: strikes, dual power and abdication
4. The Provisional Government's fatal choices
5. Lenin, the April Theses and Bolshevik strategy
6. October 1917: seizing power
7. Exam application: treating 1917 as one connected crisis

7 sections · 10 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes