It was only after the First World War that Russia began to undergo a series of changes. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the former Russian Empire, which had existed until then since 1721, collapsed and the Soviet Union was created. The geographic renaming of Russia from the Russian Empire to the Soviet Union also resulted in many gradual changes. There were also changes in religion, as the new government replaced the role of the Orthodox Church. There was a rise in nationalism due to the conflicts that existed between the Reds and the Whites. What was the tsarist regime was replaced by a provisional government and finally by communist leaders Lenin and Stalin. There have also been positive changes in the economy, with periods of rapid industrialisation. However, it is difficult to look past the fact that, despite all the transformations, the common working class suffered from low living standards throughout the period. From 1801 to 1939, the Soviet Union experienced dramatic changes in three aspects of society: changes in the type of government, in the foundations of the economy, in the rise of nationalism, as well as in the role of religion, while the plight of the lower classes remained the same.Russia transformed from an empire ruled by tsarism to a totalitarian government and then to a totalitarian state. From 1801 to 1917, Russia was ruled by autocratic and enlightened tsars such as Nicholas I and Alexander III. Both feared rebellions and justified their arbitrary use of power with censorship. However, after 1917, during the reign of Nicholas II, the tsarist regime was replaced by the leader of the Bolshevik Party. The government became filled with communist ideals as Lenin's significance increased... middle of paper......state, where all aspects of people's lives were controlled, religion was not allowed. Banning religion helped Stalin control the masses and ultimately helped him bring about a worldwide communist revolution. Between 1801 and 1939, changes and continuities took place in three parts of Soviet Russia: the role of the middle class, production and economy, and the transition from tsarism to the totalitarian state. Through all these transformations, the Soviet Union became a well-known and respected world power thanks to its growing economy and the expansion of communist ideologies. When the Bolshevik Party forced the Russian people to fight capitalism, its promises to recognize the lower classes did not prevail. Despite all the changes that occurred in the political system and the economy, the middle working class and peasants were still not free from poverty or famine.