- Growing discontent among the Russian population (peasants, workers, and soldiers)
- Failure to address socioeconomic problems and military setbacks in the war
- The overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II in February 1917
- Formation of the provisional government headed by Alexander Kerensky
- Bolsheviks (communist) revolution led by Vladimir Lenin in November 1917
- Soviet power emerged, focused on consolidating control, ending Russia's involvement in WWI, and addressing internal chaos
- Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed in March 1918, officially ending Russia's participation in World War I
World War II - 1944: No withdrawal; rather, advancing eastward during the later stages
- Contrary to the assumption, the Russians did not back out of World War II.
- Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 marked their formal entry into the war.
- The Soviet military experienced initial defeats but then managed to turn the tide in their favor.
- In fact, the Soviet Union expanded territories during World War II, incorporating portions of Eastern Europe and the Baltic States.
- The war ended with the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.