Father Gapon, a young Russian Orthodox Priest, led a peaceful protest with 150,000 commoners wanting the ability to join unions, rise of wages and a right to vote. This protest was the commoner's only chance to be heard, as they didn't have any freedom of speech. However, this harmless act of desperation resulted in guards slaughtering 96 civilians and wounding several hundred. After this tragic event, the people of Russia knew they no longer had a 'Little Father', which was a major factor in the fall of Nicholas II.
News of 'Bloody Sunday' swept Russia and suddenly there were protests and uprising all over the empire, creating utter panic for the Tsar. Acts of rebellion flooded the nation, such as peasants murdering landlords, workers going on strike in cities and towns, and liberals criticizing the Tsar by publishing their complaints in illegal pamphlets and newspapers. Nicholas tried to use the army to crush the rebellions but the problem was too large as the spontaneous revolution was beginning to become organized and by September, it seemed nearly everyone was untied against Nicholas. Everything had closed down and the Tsar had lost control.
On October 30th, the Tsar finally agreed to give away some of his power in hope of easing the riots by issuing The October Manifesto. This revolutionary constitution gave the people freedom of speech, reduction in numbers and power of the Okhrana and made political parties legal. The manifesto also created the Duma where men could be elected and given power to make laws. These amazing concessions won over the professional side of Russia, splitting the opposition to the Tsar and slowing down the revolution. Due to this, the striking workers no longer had the support they needed to maintain control and temporarily prevented the fall of Nicholas II.
The 1917 revolution begun after years of autocracy, and it was World War I in 1914 that was a major factor in the revolt and eventual fall of the Tsar.
