The February Revolution was a spontaneous series of rallies, strikes, and demonstrations that took place in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) in March 1917, which resulted in Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication and the end of the Romanov dynasty’s rule in Russia. Several things contributed to the revolution, such as the general unhappiness of the Russian people over social injustice, economic hardship, and Russia’s significant casualties in World War I.
In the months leading up to the February Revolution, Russia experienced widespread dissatisfaction with Tsar Nicholas II’s autocratic rule and his handling of the war effort. Food shortages, inflation, and high casualties on the Eastern Front exacerbated public unrest, leading to strikes, protests, and mutinies in Petrograd.
The tipping point occurred on March 8, 1917, International Women’s Day, when thousands of women marched through the streets to protest food shortages and urge an end to the war. Their peaceful protests swiftly turned into broad strikes and rioting, with workers and the military embracing the cause.
Facing mounting pressure and with the loyalty of the military wavering, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne on March 15, 1917 (March 2 in the Julian calendar), ending centuries of Romanov rule in Russia. His abdication marked the formal end of the Russian monarchy.