Hardly anything had actually progressed since Nicholas has come to the throne which meant Russia had got further and further behind technologically and the agricultural economy was too backward to alter any of this. Because of the lack of industry and money in the country, factories etc were of an appalling standard. The people became more and more displeased with the situation and so went on organised strikes, which eventually leaded to an economic breakdown.
In addition, the army were at war at the time of the takeover in 1917 so there was no-one of authority, and the recourses to enforce such authority, left in the country to fight against the striking workers. After Nicholas lost the support of the army, there was no way of keeping the autocracy intact and so, the downfall of it would appear to be inevitable at this point.
On the other hand, it can also be stated that if it hadn’t been for the war the Cossacks and the army would have been strong enough to prevent the striking and the eventual downfall of the autocracy. The Tsar had kept opposition to a peaceful minimum before the war. It is some people’s belief that he could have continued doing this and kept the dictatorship just as powerful until the next opportunity which may have been many years into the future.
Nicholas could have easily prevented all this if he had shared his power or at least listened to the opinion of his people or advisors. Furthermore, the country he went back to after the war would have been in better condition if he hadn’t left it in the power of his wife Alexandra and his advisor Rasputin as they were obviously oblivious to the current state of affairs at that present moment in time and so, were not doing anything to improve them.
In conclusion, if the war hadn’t been a factor, and the Tsar had followed the advice of the Duma etc, most workers would have either not felt the need to or would have been too scared to strike, in fear of getting imprisoned or killed. But, since the war was a factor, it was indeed inevitable, as the defences were too weak to keep such a revolution at bay.
