The Russian Revolution was a period of political and social unrest that led to the overthrow of the Romanov dynasty and the establishment of the Soviet Union. The Revolution began in February 1917 with a series of strikes and demonstrations in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) against food shortages and the government's handling of the war. In March, the government was overthrown and a provisional government was established. However, the provisional government was unable to maintain order or solve the country's pressing problems, and in November, the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power and established a communist government.
Brest-Litovsk Treaty
In March 1918, the Bolshevik government signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany and Austria-Hungary, ending Russia's participation in World War I. The Treaty was a humiliating defeat for Russia, as it lost large areas of territory and population. However, it also gave the Bolshevik government the breathing room it needed to consolidate its power and begin the process of rebuilding the country.
Civil War
The Russian Civil War began in 1918 and lasted until 1921. It was fought between the Bolshevik government and the "Whites", who were a loose coalition of anti-Bolshevik forces. The White forces were supported by the Allied Powers, who hoped to overthrow the Bolshevik government and restore Russia to the war against Germany. However, the Bolsheviks were ultimately victorious, and the Civil War ended with the defeat of the White forces.
Russian Empire's Collapse
The collapse of the Russian Empire was a major consequence of World War I. The war put a huge strain on the Russian economy and society, and the government was unable to effectively deal with the challenges of the war. The Revolution of 1917 was the final straw, and it led to the collapse of the Russian Empire and the establishment of the Soviet Union.