The last Tsar of Russia before the revolution was Nicholas II. He ruled from 1894 until his abdication in 1917 amidst the turmoil of World War I and widespread social unrest. Nicholas II was known for his conservative policies and resistance to change, which contributed to the growing dissatisfaction among the Russian populace. His reign saw significant challenges, including military defeats, economic troubles, and rising revolutionary sentiments. Following his abdication, Nicholas II and his family were placed under house arrest and eventually executed by Bolsheviks in 1918, marking a dramatic end to centuries of imperial rule in Russia.