The answer is option c.During the February Revolution, Czar Nicholas II, ruler of Russia since 1894, is forced to abdicate the throne by the Petrograd insurgents, and a provincial government is installed in his place.

Crowned on May 26, 1894, Nicholas was neither trained nor inclined to rule, which did not help the autocracy he sought to preserve in an era desperate for change. The disastrous outcome of the Russo-Japanese War led to the Russian Revolution of 1905, which the czar diffused only after signing a manifesto promising representative government and basic civil liberties in Russia. However, Nicholas soon retracted most of these concessions, and the Bolsheviks and other revolutionary groups won wide support. In 1914, Nicholas led his country into another costly war, and discontent in Russia grew as food became scarce, soldiers became war-weary, and devastating defeats on the eastern front demonstrated the czar’s ineffectual leadership.

Tsar Nicholas II was the ruler of Russia during World War I. He ascended to the throne in 1894 and reigned until his abdication in 1917.

Background:
- Nicholas II was born on May 6, 1868, in Pushkin, Russia, and was the eldest son of Tsar Alexander III.
- He received a traditional education and was trained to take over the throne from a young age.
- Nicholas II married Alexandra Feodorovna, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England, in 1894. They had five children, including the famous Anastasia and Alexei.

Reign:
- Nicholas II's reign was marked by political and social unrest, economic hardships, and the rise of revolutionary movements.
- When World War I broke out in 1914, Russia joined the conflict on the side of the Allied Powers (including France and Britain) against the Central Powers (including Germany and Austria-Hungary).
- The Russian army suffered significant losses and faced numerous setbacks during the war. The military's lack of resources, poor leadership, and outdated tactics contributed to its struggles.

Role in World War I:
- Tsar Nicholas II took personal command of the Russian army in 1915, hoping to boost morale and lead his troops to victory.
- However, his decision to assume direct control of the military had detrimental effects. His inexperience and inability to effectively manage the war effort further weakened the already struggling Russian army.
- The war put immense strain on the Russian economy, leading to widespread food shortages and inflation. The home front was also plagued by discontent and anti-war sentiments.

Abdication and Aftermath:
- The mounting discontent and frustrations with the war, combined with the effects of the Russian Revolution of 1905, culminated in the February Revolution of 1917.
- In the face of mass protests and the loss of support from the military, Nicholas II abdicated the throne on March 15, 1917, ending the Romanov dynasty's rule over Russia.
- The abdication paved the way for the establishment of a provisional government, which would later be overthrown by the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution, leading to the rise of the Soviet Union.

Overall, Tsar Nicholas II's reign during World War I was marked by military failures, economic hardships, and growing discontent among the Russian population, ultimately leading to his abdication and the downfall of the monarchy.