The Russian revolution was caused by the continual breakdown of
             the governments in Russia and the incompetency and authoritarian views
             of it's czars. Their failures as leaders included policies that
             neither pleased nor benefitted the people. By the end of the
             nineteenth century, Russia's economy, government, military, and social
             organization was at an extreme decline. Russia had become the least
             advanced of the major European nations in terms of political and
             social development. There was no parliament, and no middle class. The
             Church, officers, and other important people and institutions were
             firmly against social progress. The disastrous defeat of Russia in the
             Crimean War in 1855 and 1856 exposed weaknesses of Russia's various
             For the first few decades of the 1800's, Russia's outlook was
             brighter under Alexander I, who was relatively liberal. He became more
             reactionary however, and following his death, a group of young army
             officers tried to overturn the Czardom. This was called the Decembrist
             Revolt. The next czar, Nicholas, was a die hard authoritarian. The
             Administrative system continued to decay regardless of his iron fisted
             rule. The gap between the rich and the poorer continued to widen. Over
             five hundred peasant revolts took place during his reign.
             Alexander II, who took the throne in 1855 tried to avert revolt
             by attempting reform. In 1861 he freed the serfs and gave them
             expectations of free land allotments. But to their surprise, and
             anger, they were only given the opportunity to share it as members of
             a village commune(mir). In addition, the mir had to pay back the
             government for the land over a period of 49 years with interest.
             Alexander also formed a series of elected local councils that gave
             districts restricted jurisdiction of certain aspects of life. He too
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