The establishment of the Duma in 1905 as a consultative assembly marked a significant, albeit limited, move towards parliamentary governance under Tsar Nicholas II . Initially, it provided a platform for liberal ideas but was often dismissed or altered, especially when Tsarist policies changed voting laws to favor conservatives . The existence and frequent dissolution of the Duma highlighted the strict limitations on political freedoms and set a precedent of political instability. During the 1917 revolutions, the Duma played a crucial role in forming the Provisional Government, symbolizing a brief shift towards representative governance . However, this was short-lived as the Bolshevik consolidation of power post-October Revolution saw the elimination of parliamentary structures in favor of centralized Soviet governance . The Duma's evolution thus reflects the contentious struggle between autocracy and democracy in Russian political culture, ultimately contributing to a rejection of parliamentary democracy in the rise of Soviet authoritarianism.

The February Revolution led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a Provisional Government, marking the end of autocratic monarchical rule in Russia . Public freedoms increased, and Soviets, including influential groups like the Petrograd Soviet, gained a role in governance, diminishing the autocratic power structure . However, the October Revolution subsequently saw the Bolsheviks seize power, resulting in the establishment of a one-party state under the All-Russian Congress of Soviets . This transition marked a shift from a provisional democracy to a centralized communist regime, consolidating political control under the Bolshevik Party and leading to the nationalization of industries and restrictions on political freedoms and dissent . These revolutions therefore dramatically altered the political landscape, replacing a tsarist autocracy with a radically different Bolshevik-led government.

Tsarina Alexandra's German origins exacerbated the already high anti-German sentiment in Russia during World War I. Her susceptibility to poor advisors and the distrust arising from her foreign background delegitimized the Tsarist regime further . Her influence in government led to unpopular decisions that worsened public perception of the monarchy, contributing to its collapse. This mistrust fostered general discontent, culminating in the February Revolution when the Tsar abdicated, and a provisional government was formed . Alexandra's role highlighted the internal weaknesses of the autocracy, thus facilitating its downfall.

After the October Revolution, Lenin dismissed the constituent assembly when the Bolsheviks did not secure a majority, considering it inconsistent with Soviet power . Instead, the All-Russian Congress of Soviets was declared the legislative authority, effectively creating a one-party state . Industries and banks were nationalized, and land ownership was restructured to favor peasants . Lenin's governance centralized power and control within the Bolshevik Party, which suppressed dissent and controlled trade unions and the arts . This approach entrenched communist policies, transforming political governance into an authoritarian regime focused on controlling economic and social structures.

Following the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks implemented radical changes, transforming Russian governance and society. Industries and banks were nationalized, and land was made social property for agricultural use by peasants . They disbanded the constituent assembly after failing to achieve a majority, establishing the All-Russian Congress of Soviets as the legislative body, thereby instituting a one-party state . Additionally, trade unions and the arts fell under state control, with dissent suppressed, further consolidating power . These actions dismantled previous capitalist structures and sparked the creation of a socialist state, fundamentally altering Russia's socio-political landscape.

The Petrograd Soviet emerged from the chaos of the February 1917 Revolution amid strikes and civil unrest. With the Tsar's abdication and the establishment of the Provisional Government, the Petrograd Soviet became a key political body, asserting authority alongside the government . It facilitated the formation of local Soviets and empowered factory and soldiers’ committees, deepening its influence in governance and society . The growth of Soviet power allowed for grassroots political involvement, increased Bolshevik influence, and was crucial in driving the subsequent October Revolution, where Soviets ultimately played a pivotal role in the establishment of a Bolshevik regime that emphasized Soviet authority in governance.

The February 1917 Revolution was marked by several significant events: severe food shortages, factory lockouts, and strikes led by women on February 23, 1917, expanded as the government suspended the Duma on February 25 . By February 27, police headquarters were ransacked, and demonstrations had evolved to demand increased freedoms like better wages and democracy . The Petrograd Soviet was established, and with the Tsar's abdication in March, a Provisional Government formed . This series of events resulted in profound shifts in power dynamics, leading to lifted restrictions on public meetings, increased influence of Soviets, and rising Bolshevik power as political landscape transformations eroded the Tsarist autocracy's dominance.

Before 1905, Russia faced significant social, economic, and political conditions that increased tensions. Socially, the dominance of Russian Orthodox Christianity marginalized other nationalities and religions, denying them cultural and linguistic freedoms and causing social divisions, particularly among peasants grouped in communes or mirs . Economically, Russia had an agrarian-based economy with limited industrial development, central to areas like St. Petersburg and Moscow. The expansion of the rail network led to increased foreign investments, yet workers faced exploitation under capitalism, highlighting a profound class divide . Politically, Russia was under a monarchy with Tsar Nicholas II exerting control over a vast empire, believing in the divine rights of kings and bypassing parliamentary accountability. Political parties were illegal, which stifled political dissent and increased unrest . These conditions set the groundwork for societal grievances that culminated in the 1905 Revolution.

In pre-1917 Russia, workers were less united compared to those in other European countries such as England and Germany, where workers formed associations, fought for better conditions, and supported political parties . Russian workers were divided based on skills, with skilled workers feeling superior, and had strong links to their villages, causing further social divides . Associations in Russia demanded better wages and working hours but were often suppressed by the government, unlike in Europe where such movements led to political organizations like the Labour Party in Britain and Socialist Party in France . This lack of unity and organizational strength in Russia meant workers had less power to negotiate improvements in their conditions, contributing to widespread dissatisfaction and setting the stage for revolutionary movements.

The Tsarist autocracy collapsed in February 1917 due to multiple factors: anti-German sentiments exacerbated by Tsarina Alexandra's German origins, the devastating toll of WWI on Russian forces with high casualties, and economic distress, including food shortages and riots . Soldiers' loyalty shifted to support revolutionaries, and under pressure from the Petrograd Soviet and Duma representatives, the Tsar abdicated . In the immediate aftermath, the Provisional Government was formed, restrictions on public assembly were lifted, and local Soviets gained authority, fundamentally challenging and transforming governance dynamics .