Why did Russia leave WWI?

The social crises and the Socialist Revolution in Russia in 1917 were the main factors that motivated the exit of Russia from the First World War.

In 1917, Russia was in the midst of a social disorder ruled by the absolutist power of Tsar Nicholas II, who imposed on Russian society high tax rates. The population demanded improvements in the quality of life, reduction of the tax rates and the exit of the country of the war, because the maintenance of Russia in the war brought burdens to the population.

In February 1917, the Russian liberal-conservative party, Menshevik, deposed the Tsar Nicholas II of power and established a provisional government with the support of the bourgeoisie. In October 1917, the Socialist Revolution took place in Russia. Led by Lenin and Trotsky, the Bolshevik revolutionary party was able to gain power after the victory over the Mensheviks, implementing socialism and the nationalization of the economy.

One of the first measures stipulated by the Bolshevik leaders was to amnesty the exiles and withdraw contingents of Russian soldiers from the First World War. In this way, Russia withdrew from the war because of the enormous internal political problems. Shortly after the withdrawal of socialist Russia from the war, its main leader, Lenin, signed with Germany a Peace Treaty between nations. The Treaty was called Brest-Litovsk (1918). With it, Russia lost several territories to Germany, such as Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Finland.