Russia was a rural country that once had a regime. The majority of Russia was profoundly poor and the wealthy few were extremely rich. Their last ruler had been Tsar Nicholas II, who was not a natural leader; in fact, most people might describe him as a reluctant and weak monarch. Russia suffered many revolutions and defeats in wars under the regime. As a result, their country was damaged, economically and socially. Russia was stricken by poverty, particularly in the countryside where peasants lived. There were food shortages and a demand for land from peasants. In 1900, industrialization took its toll and many peasants left the countryside to work in factories. Discontent nevertheless persisted: workers demanded better working conditions and higher wages. The tsar knew their grievances but did not act. On January 9, 1905, workers and servants marched to the palace where the Tsar and his family lived to protest. They were met with weapons, cruelty and sheer brutality. The Russian people were simply disappointed by all the casualties and injuries. This event marked Bloody Sunday, the day when the Tsar and his people became even more estranged. Workers created works councils that were primarily influenced by revolutionary ideas. When Germany declared war on Russia, it only made the living conditions of the population worse. The industries that supplied the war prospered and those that did not fail, people wanted the war to end. There was a national feeling that the Tsar was unfit to rule Russia. He made attempts, such as going to Petrograd to encourage his soldiers, to make his people think otherwise, but one could argue that this only made things worse. The revolutions continued and the Tsar's favor continued to fall. In March 1917, a spontaneous middle-of-the-road seized power and implemented war communism. Communism itself is a salacious subject. It was the manner in which he achieved victory over Tsar Nicholas II who was repeatedly defeated and yet under both leaders the Russian people still suffered, that caught my attention. However, Lenin is humble enough to realize the problem and correct it with the New Economic Policy, which indeed demonstrates good leadership. I chose this topic to explore the thoughts that may have gone through Lenin's mind, why it was necessary to adapt from War Communism to the New Economic Policy, and whether this change was beneficial for Russia. My goal is to show Russia's situation during both policies and to highlight what the people and government wanted versus what was needed. I will also explain why War Communism failed and why the New Economic Policy was more successful..