History of Wars Summary 9 - World War I 12 The Russian Revolution and Changes in the War

As the war dragged on, Russia's internal economic and social turmoil deepened. Continuous defeats at the front, massive casualties, food shortages, and rising prices fueled discontent with the government. In March 1917, the revolution broke out, leading to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the collapse of the Russian Empire. Although a provisional government was established, its decision to continue the war only intensified public dissatisfaction. After the Bolsheviks seized power in November of the same year, they pursued negotiations to withdraw from the war. In March 1918, Russia and Germany signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and Russia officially exited the war. As a result, Germany was able to redeploy its forces from the Eastern Front to the Western Front. However, Russia's withdrawal did not solely benefit Germany. With the United States joining the Allied powers, Germany had to contend with the military strength and industrial capacity of a new superpower. The Russian Revolution not only altered the military landscape of the war but also became a catalyst for significant changes in the post-war political order of Europe.