The last czar of Russia before the Russian Revolution was Nicholas II, who ruled from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. His reign was marked by internal strife, military defeats in World War I, and increasing unrest among the populace. Nicholas II’s inability to address the economic struggles and political demands of the people ultimately led to his downfall. He and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918, marking the end of the Romanov dynasty and the czarist rule in Russia.