One of the major causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917 was the

One of the major causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917 was the

• A. Widespread support for democracy
• B. Abolition of the monarchy
• C. Abuse of political power by Czar Nicholas II
• D. Successful free trade policies

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that autocratic rule and the way the Tsar handled political power created the conditions for revolution. Nicholas II’s tendency to rule without sharing authority, suppress dissent, and ignore growing demands for reform alienated peasants, workers, soldiers, and the middle class. The experience of repression—dissent crushed, censorship, and the use of force to maintain control—made people feel the regime was illegitimate. Even when reforms were promised after the 1905 upheaval, real power remained with the Tsar. He dissolved or limited the influence of elected bodies, kept essential decisions in his hands, and failed to address urgent economic and social grievances. World War I intensified the crisis—humiliation on the battlefield, severe shortages, and famine—yet the leadership couldn’t effectively manage the crisis or restore confidence. The Tsar’s personal command in the war, combined with his detachment from governing, further weakened support for the regime. That combination of autocratic authority, failed reforms, and wartime misery explains why this factor is identified as a major cause. The other options are less fitting: demand for democracy existed but did not represent a unifying, decisive force, abolition of the monarchy did not drive the revolution (in fact the monarchy fell because of the revolution), and free trade policies were not the central issue fueling mass uprising.

The main idea is that autocratic rule and the way the Tsar handled political power created the conditions for revolution. Nicholas II’s tendency to rule without sharing authority, suppress dissent, and ignore growing demands for reform alienated peasants, workers, soldiers, and the middle class. The experience of repression—dissent crushed, censorship, and the use of force to maintain control—made people feel the regime was illegitimate.

Even when reforms were promised after the 1905 upheaval, real power remained with the Tsar. He dissolved or limited the influence of elected bodies, kept essential decisions in his hands, and failed to address urgent economic and social grievances. World War I intensified the crisis—humiliation on the battlefield, severe shortages, and famine—yet the leadership couldn’t effectively manage the crisis or restore confidence. The Tsar’s personal command in the war, combined with his detachment from governing, further weakened support for the regime.

That combination of autocratic authority, failed reforms, and wartime misery explains why this factor is identified as a major cause. The other options are less fitting: demand for democracy existed but did not represent a unifying, decisive force, abolition of the monarchy did not drive the revolution (in fact the monarchy fell because of the revolution), and free trade policies were not the central issue fueling mass uprising.