Question

which of the following best describes the communist takeover of russia in 1917?

the communists came to power after assassinating the royal family

taking advantage of widespread radicalism and popular discontent with the provisional government, the communists staged a successful armed insurrection

defeat in world war i demoralized the country so badly that the population overthrew the tsar and voted the communists to power

recognizing its limitations, the provisional government voluntarily stepped down from power, handing the government over to the communists

Explanation:

• The royal family was assassinated after the Communist takeover, not as a cause of it.
• Russia withdrew from WWI after the Communists took power; the tsar was overthrown in the February Revolution (1917) by liberal and socialist forces, not by a vote for Communists.
• The Provisional Government was overthrown by force, not voluntarily stepped down.
• The Bolsheviks (Communists) capitalized on widespread anger at the Provisional Government's failure to end WWI, address food shortages, and land reform, leading to the successful armed October Revolution in 1917.

Answer:

Taking advantage of widespread radicalism and popular discontent with the Provisional Government, the Communists staged a successful armed insurrection