What other events in Europe made the Russian Revolution likely?

Requirements

A word about the Case Studies: For each response, answer the question posed by incorporating quotes from the relevant primary source readings.   Reading first-hand accounts by the people who lived the history we are studying completes the image, giving you insight impossible to gain otherwise.

Also, keep in mind this checklist for your primary source case studies. 

• Use direct quotes!
• Use historical vocabulary
• Use info from other sources, but do not forget to use direct quotes from the primary sources.
• Include a works cited page.
• Use MLA style.
• Spelling, punctuation, and word choice DO matter. Avoid being vague or superficial.
• Use the correct names for historical figures.  Some go by one name only; Napoleon, for example. Monarchs are referred to by their “state” name; for example, Queen Victoria, King George III, etc.  Ordinary people are referred to by their first and last name in the first reference; after this initial reference, refer to historical figures by their last name, not their first name.

Case Study 1: Russia into the Soviet Union after WWI.

Use the following links: 

• View: Russia: Land of the Tsars (Part 4) to get the overall picture
• “Lenin: Voice of a Revolution” (begin 9:38)

• WWI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQUAW_CdBd
• “Women in the early Soviet Era”
  • View 10 minute film
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=933jsB5ChlA
• Optional: Women Combatants in WWI: A Russian Case Study
  • Highly recommend for a more developed view of WWI

Answer this question: What caused the collapse of the Russian Empire? What were the long and short term causes? What other events in Europe made the Russian Revolution likely? What key ideas of Socialism and Communism were incorporated into the new Soviet government?