The defeat of Russia in the war of 1904-05 by Japan ended the supremacy of Russia. On the other hand dissatisfaction increased among the people due to different reasons. The oppressive polices of the administration were the cause of this dissatisfaction. The result of this dissatisfaction and autocracy occured as the Russian revolution. 

The main reasons of this revolution were as follows :

1. Autocracy of the Czar : Russian citizens had no rights till the mid of 19th Century. Those who opposed the ruler got harsh punishment. Due to such oppressive administration the rule of Czar became unbearable and Public demanded for reforms. 

2. 1905 : Attempt to Crush the Impact of the Revolution and Duma: The citizen’s right which were obtained by the revolution of 1905 CE, could not be implemented by the Duma. The Czar dissolved Duma and this further increased the dissatisfaction among the people. 

3. Pathetic Condition of the Farmers : The situation of farmers in Russia was pathetic. In 19th Century, big landowners owned 1800 Lakh acre land, but more than 1 crore farmers had only 1900 lakh acre land, in which all had to pay tax of various types. Farmers did not even get two square meals to eat. The revolutionary socialist party took advantage of this and incited them against the rule. 

4. Labour Dissatisfaction : Due to industrialization, lot of landless farmers went in industries for employment. Industrialists took full advantage of their position and exploited them to make their condition more miserable. They also took the maximum work from them on minimum wages. In 1902-03 labour strikes started. These labourers established the proletariat by eliminating the oppression of the capitalist system and autocratic rule. 

5. Economic and Social inequality : Russian society was divided into three groups : Elite, Middle class and Proletariat. The people of proletariat were deprived of rights. In this category all farmers and workers were included. The people of proletariat had to bear the oppressive policies of administration as well as of the Elite group. This mass community became the important cause of Russian Revolution. 

6. Intellectual Revolution : Educated class demanded political rights. Along with this socialist ideas of Karl Marx, Marim Gorky and Bakunin had an impact on the workers and intellectuals of the country. This gave rise to Nihilism in society and the people began to raise the demand of political rights. 

7. Rise of Socialism in Russia : Influenced by the miserable condition of the farmers, intellectuals started an agitation in 1860, on the basis of socialist ideology. Hergen and Chemowski were the chief leaders of this movement. These supporters can be considered ‘populist’. After some time, socialist party divided into two parts : 1. Revolutionary socialist party, 2. Social democratic party. The Revolutionary socialist party organised terrorrist programme and killed many people. Social democratic party was established in 1898. Social democratic party also divided into two parts in 1903 (i) Bolshevik and (ii) Menshevik. 

8. Corrupt governance of Czar Nicholas-II : Russian ruler Czar Nicholas-II was an incapable ruler who did not have the foresight to understand the importance of events and characters of persons. By taking advantage of his inability, a saint, Rasputin, began to start interfering in administration. As a result a group formed in the court against Rasputin and murdered him in December 1916 CE. 

9. Entrance of Russia in the first World War : In August 1914, Russia participated in the first World War at the side of allied nations. In the first 3 years, 1 crore 50 lakh soldiers were sent to the battlefield. Due to lack of working in the fields by workers and decline in agricultural production, the productivity of grain, fuel and clothes were reduced.