"In the days of the great struggle against the foreign enemies, who for nearly three years have tried to enslave our fatherland, the Lord God has been pleased to send down on Russia a new heavy trial. Internal popular disturbances threaten to have a disastrous effect on the future conduct of this persistent war. The fate of Russia, the honour of our heroic army, the welfare of the people and the whole future of our dear fatherland demand that the war should be brought to a victorious conclusion whatever the cost. The cruel enemy is making his last efforts and already the hour is near when our valiant army together with our glorious allies will crush him. In these decisive days in the life of Russia, We thought it Our duty of conscience to facilitate for Our people the closest union possible and a consolidation of all national forces for the speedy attainment of victory. In agreement with the Imperial Duma We have thought it well to renounce the Throne of the Russian Empire and to lay down the Supreme Power."

Tsar Nicholas II, Abdication Manifesto, Pskov, 2 March 1917 (Old Style). Nicholas abdicated in favour of his brother Grand Duke Michael, who declined the throne the following day. The manifesto ended 304 years of Romanov rule.