Why did Tsar Nicholas II abdicate from the Russian throne?

Tsar Nicholas II's abdication came against a backdrop of a changing political, social and religious nation but the catalyst for change came through Russia's struggles in the First World War. Nicholas was chosen to rule by his family rite. Russia was an autocratic nation and it was believed that it was his divine rite to rule, like his father before him. However, Nicholas was actually a poor leader in a backwards and pre-industrilaised country. Russian failures in the Russo-Japanese War saw an earlier revolution in 1905, only to be quashed by Nicholas' admissions into creating a representative government. By passing some power to the people it questioned his divinity as a ruler and saw the people begin to demand more was done. This came at a time where peasants, or serfs, had previously had no rights, and were taxed heavily to fund the Tsar's vast armies. As a result, serfs would often pass over much of their stock in food and suffered from famine unable to live on what was left. After seemingly sacrificing some of his power to the people, Nicholas went back on his word to remove the power and use of the government he had allowed to exist. Causing dissent amongst the representatives and giving new found support to the Bolshevik and other revolutionary groups.  Against this backdrop Russia entered the First World War as a weakened nation. With war there are costs, not just in the lives of men, women and children near the conflict but also at home. The Tsar took personal control of the army in 1915, putting any future outcomes of the war directly at the hands of his leadership and leaving the people at home in the hands of his German wife, Alexandra. Soon rumours arose of a poisonous relationship between the Tsarina's advisor, Rasputin, and Alexandra whereby he had far too much influence over her decisions. Evidently this had the effect of casting doubt over Nicholas' intentions and as Russia suffered great losses of life and land on the Eastern front dissent grew. The continued war saw valuable resources sent to the front such as food and drink. Leaving an already starving population in even more desperate need. The Marxist ideas of communism gained even greater support during these times of unrest, the promise of all men recieving the same made for a better life than some earning nothing and others earning all. Marxist supporters promised reforms that would create a better life for the peasants. As a consequence of the war, there was a massive shortage in manpower, industry declined and inflation rose rapidly. This all culminated in a general strike in February 1917, one that the Tsar percieved as just a hooligan movement that would pass. This notion highlights the serious underappreciation of Nicholas to the severity of the problem and the hopeless situation his people found themselves in. After his own soldiers began to join the strike, refusing Nicholas' orders to quell the people by force, and his desperate attempt to return to the capital was halted, abdication was his only option left.