As the First World War raged across Europe, the age of monarchy in Russia, which had barely evolved from feudal times was approaching a dramatic and bloody end.
Tsar Nicholas II had led his nation to war against the Axis powers, supporting his allies in Britain and France against Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Yet, Russia was grossly unprepared for war with a lack of industrialisation. Her deficiencies had been shown during her surprising defeat during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-5.
Soldiers are photographed in February 1971 on Liteyniy Prospekt in St Petersburg, manning a barricade while shoppers are photographed some 100 years later crossing the same street without the threat of bread shortages
An incredibly limited form of democracy had been instituted with the creation of a parliament in 1905 – the Duma. Although the vast majority of power remained with the Tsar.
By February 1917 (March under the western Gregorian calendar), Russia was stretched to breaking point. The war was incredibly unpopular and in the imperial city of Petrograd – previously known as St Petersburg – workers took to the streets in order to protest against the lack of bread.
Authorities responded by putting troops on the streets, who opened fire on unarmed workers, leading to a constitutional crisis. The Tsar decided to step aside allowing a provisional government to take over under Alexander Kerensky.
Kerensky decided to continue with the war despite its unpopularity and announced major reforms, including plans to extend voting rights and increase democracy. They also announced plans for land reform, but importantly, these had been delayed until after the war.
These images show the Winter Palace and Dvortsovaya Square in St Petersburg pictured 100 years apart
These photographs from Moscow show soldiers marching with a banner proclaiming communism on a road leading to Red Square, while 100 years later school children walk past shops
These photographs from the same spot around 100 years apart feature the a boat sailing up the River Neva past the WInter Palace in St Petersburg, Russia
Between February and October, the Bolsheviks were busy recruiting members for their Red Army – who first saw action defending Petrograd against a rogue general Lavr Kornilov, who was attempting to seize the city in August.
The Provisional Government were unable to mount a defence against Kornilov’s advance. The Bolsheviks, who had been planning their own revolution, were able to mount strikes across the rail network, preventing Kornilov from enacting his plan.
Yet, the Bolsheviks under Vladimir Lenin spent several months planning a second revolution to overthrow the provisional government, halt the war and introduce a communist dictator ship.
By the time of the October Revolution, the Provisional Government had been fatally weakened and Lenin quickly replaced the Duma with his own government.
The Bolshevik revolution was initially bloodless, but the new regime soon ordered the execution of Tsar Nicholas and his family, bringing an end to the Romanov dynasty.
The collapse of Imperial rule sent shockwaves across Europe, especially in the period after the First World War with fears that communism could sweep across Europe.
Vladimir Lenin faced a civil war against elements still loyal to the overthrown regime as well as capitalists and liberals.
In this photograph of Tverskaya zastava square in downtown Moscow photographed in October 1917 women queue for food outisde a shop, which some 100 years later is a plush hotel
A demonstration on Liteyniy Prospekt in St. Petersburg, photographed in October 1917, left, has been replaced by commuter traffic some 100 years later
In this left photo, taken in November 1917, people walk past Kremlin’s Nikolskaya Tower after it’s been damaged by artillery shelling during the revolution fighting in Moscow, Russia, compared with the view 100 years later