The record of Russia during the war and since provides one of the most
tragic episodes of the great struggle. One of the first Powers to
accept the challenge, Russia accomplished much in the early days of
the war on the Eastern Front, and was of invaluable assistance to the
British and French armies by engaging the attention of large numbers
of German forces. Insidious treachery, however, brought about the
downfall of what had hitherto been regarded as a mighty empire. During
the winter of 1916-1917 the effect of this treachery began to be felt.
The civilian population had for long suffered many privations, and the
troops had been sent into battle badly armed and insufficiently fed.
Demands for representative government were ignored by the Emperor,
swayed by the pro-German Empress, who was under the influence of the
notorious monk Rasputin. In December, 1916, the monk was murdered; on
March 15th, 1917, the Emperor abdicated and was subsequently murdered;
and the Empress and her children are said to have shared a similar
fate. A new and democratic government with Kerensky at the head had a
short reign, and ultimately, in November, 1917, Russia, under Trotsky
and Lenin, who were, it is believed, in the pay of Germany, was given
over to the horrors of Bolshevism.