Why did the Tsar abdicate in March, 1917?

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Why did the Tsar abdicate in March, 1917?

Tsar Nicholas II was an autocrat who had complete power of the Russian state. Russia had over 16 nationalities and very poor lines of communication; roads were mud tracks and there was only one railway line. The Tsar being an autocratic leader, meaning he had to rule the whole of Russia alone, the geographic and industrial state of Russia made it a very difficult country to rule. The Tsar was greatly respected by his people and he had total control. Although respected, things changed for the Tsar in 1917. Many events that took place while he was the Tsar explain the reasons for his abdication in March, 1917, the reasons for which the Tsar was finally overthrown.

        Workers within Russia were treated to terrible conditions in both residence and work within factories. They were forced to live in overcrowded barracks, often having to assign shifts to beds due to lack of space. This led to spread of diseases and little or no privacy whatsoever. Workers had to face corporal punishment and large fines out of their already low wages, as well as exceedingly dangerous working conditions. This would have angered the workers and caused strikes to break out, which would have been worse for Russia’s industrial state as it was already lagging behind. The Tsar was not taking any action to help the workers in anyway which compelled the workers to go against the Tsar and without support; the Tsar is bound to be abdicated sooner.

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        Peasants, being over 80% of Russia’s population, played an important role in the abdication of the Tsar. This is due to the major support (or opposition) the Tsar would get from the peasants. These peasants were forced through bad living conditions – pigs and cows were brought into their homes, their homes would leak and floors were made of earth. Also, soap and water in the cottage was rare and so they were made to live in unhygienic conditions. Peasants were ‘owned’ by their landowners and gained very little respect. They were forced to work by traditional agriculture and couldn’t ...

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