The last Tsar of Russia before the 1917 revolution was Nicholas II. His reign faced immense challenges, including military defeats in World War I, economic strife, and growing discontent among the populace. Nicholas II's inability to address these issues led to widespread protests and the eventual abdication of the throne in March 1917. His rule is often characterized by autocratic governance and resistance to reform, ultimately contributing to the Russian Revolution. Nicholas II and his family were later executed, marking a definitive end to centuries of Romanov rule and imperial Russia.