The intellectuals of Russia were influenced by western ideology and wanted to see reforms in Russian systems. However the abolition of serfdom failed to fulfill their aspirations. Civil liberties were still non existent in Russia.
The intellectuals started preaching these ideas to the people. However the real revolution was to come from the workers. For the first time labor unions and movements on socialist lines emerged in Russia. The movements were divided on basis of ideology and organization. One branch called Mensheviks [minority] wanted a gradual reform and a parliamentary establishment , the second branch called Bolsheviks [majority] wanted a revolution.
Leader of the Bolsheviks was Lenin who had worked in the Second International. He was regarded as the next great socialist after Marx and Engels. His name was to become inseparable from the 1917 revolution. The socialist party for peasants and states under colonial oppression of Russia were also existing.
The turning point of the movement against Czar was in 1905 when war broke out between Japan and Russia. The mighty Russian army was humbled by a small Asian power and this further aided the revolutionaries. A gathering of women and children reached St. Peters-burg to give a list of demands to the Czar but the Czar ordered firing on them. This event was remembered as Bloody Sunday.
The revulsion created by this event led to widespread protests and even soldiers struck work.Czar in order to control the rebellion declared that Duma - A Elected Parliament would be created and Russia would become a constitutional monarchy like England.
However soon he relapsed into old ways and the reforms were undone. The 1905 revolt was a rehearsal for a bigger revolution in 1917.
The Russian state recognized the autonomy of the republic that formed it and became United Soviet Socialist Republic or Soviet Union. The 15 states that formed USSR got regional autonomy to develop language and culture. The government passed reforms to establish a state on principle of "From each according to his capacity, to each according to his work". The Right to work and education became a constitutional right and government had to find work for everyone.
Confiscation of the property of Nobility and clergy was a welcome step. This removed glaring inequalities in the society. The USSR soon emerged as a major power and dominated the world till 1991 when it disintegrated.
The Russian revolution also supported the cause of communism and socialism that had declined after the First World War. Comintern or Third International was formed and the left wing of all socialist parties aligned with it. The USSR was declared as the leader of the Socialist movement everywhere and it decided policies of Comintern.
Rise of socialism and Russian revolution influenced revolutionary movements elsewhere too. The revolutionary government dissolved all harsh conditions imposed on China and provided support to Sun Yat Sen for his movement of uniting China. Russia declared that it would support the cause of all revolutionaries looking to become free from imperialism.
People realized that imperialism should be ended and socialism did this. It also brought countries closer by promoting internationalism and teaching that relations between nations should go beyond their narrow self interest. The Success of socialism also taught people that Political freedom had no meaning without social and economic freedom. The State's had the duty to regulate industry and ensure equality.