The main cause of the Russian Revolution in 1917 stemmed from a combination of social, economic, and political factors. The Russian populace suffered under immense hardship, exacerbated by World War I's toll, which led to high casualties, economic instability, and food shortages. Discontent grew among workers and peasants, fueled by poverty and inflation. Additionally, the ineffectiveness of Tsar Nicholas II's leadership weakened the monarchy's credibility. The February Revolution resulted in the abdication of the Tsar, establishing a provisional government that struggled to address the nation’s crises, ultimately leading to the Bolshevik takeover later that year.