Assess the reasons for the fall of the Romanov dynasty in February 1917

Firstly analyze what the question is truly asking for and address the key words and terms. Begin with a brief introduction that places the question historically in the context of the period, and then look to introduce the debate in terms of very briefly the impact of the main causes, and within this possibly identify any related historical schools. Very loosely the reasons for the 1917 February revolution can be broken down into World War One (optimist/liberal), long-term socio-economic problems (soviet), and the lack of political reform (pessimist). For the main body write a paragraph on each with the following structure; first an opening statement sentence acting as a signpost, second supporting examples of evidence with additional reinforcing views of historians, and finally a concluding remark that reinforces the narrative. For World War One, one could argue that its disastrous nature meant Nicholas II’s personal involvement fatally damaged his reputation, and when combined with the intensely radicalizing effect of the devastating economic impact from it, this triggered a crisis of elites who looked to secure their own protection. For the long-term impact of the economy on Russian society, it was clear that the majority of the population did not reap the benefits of a preceding-war economic boon, which was heavily exacerbated by rapid industrialization and urbanization from a disillusioned and increasingly secular peasantry that sowed fertile seeds for radicalism on the eve of war. The political stagnation of Tsarism also meant that the Romanovs’ legitimacy had become severely undermined after attempts to dilute the October Manifesto in 1905 resulted in a sham constitutional monarchy that entrenched power in an autocratic but personally weak Tsar.  

For the conclusion outline again the importance of each factor but this time create a hierarchy of significance by looking at the inter-play between them, possibly employing the use of counter-factionalism to achieve this. For example, while the war was a major catalyst, the situation had already bordered on revolutionary against the backdrop of the 1905 Revolution and rapid urbanization, effectively requiring a trigger, with the rapid fall of the Provisional Government just eight months later seemingly confirming a deep-rooted desire for radical, meaningful change. Arguably the success and legitimacy of the Bolsheviks showed that socio-economic grievances rather than political liberalization truly drove the radical dynamics in this period.