These are the main factors that led to the rise of Communism:
The Communist Manifesto (1848). Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels' work directed towards the proletariat (workers) in a intent for them to rebel against the bourgeoisie that grew rich at their expenses.
Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). This fight over the imperial ambitions in Korea and Manchuria ended with multiple russian defeats and casualties that generated much discontent in the masses.
Bloody Sunday. In January 1905, soldiers of the Imperial Guard, fired against unarmed demonstrators that were trying to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II.
1905 Russian Revolution. As a direct consequence of the Russo-Japanese War and Bloody Sunday, waves of masses moved in discontent with the Imperial Government. Even though the Tsar kept in the throne, the Revolution led to the October Manifesto and the Russian Constitution of 1906.
Vladimir Lenin. Lenin was the marxist intellectual who became the leader of the Bolsheviks, a radical group that became an important force in the Revolution.
World War I. The unrest of the masses only grew with the administration of the Tsar and Russia's presence in World War I.
1917 Russian Revolution. Two massive revolutions happened in 1917: one in February, that resulted in the abdication of the Tsar and the collapse of the Imperial Government; and other in October that collapsed the Provisional Government, started the Russian Civil War and established the <em>Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic</em>.
