Russian Rev vs. French Rev

The skeletons of both of these revolutions are essentially the same: a charismatic political leader leads their nation's revolution to abolish monarchy and replace it with a form of government that ideally represents the people directly. Robespierre led France while Lenin led Russia. Both leaders preached the importance of the lower class and how a new order would promise their representation. This idea, along with the dissolution of the monarchy, triggered both revolutions for the most part.

Exposure to "outside features" also played a key role in both revolutions. France became exposed to ideas from the Enlightenment that inspired new government models. Russia, on the other hand, became exposed to new technology by the Germans through WWI. Perhaps the Russian population became aware of how industrially backwards they really were, therefore encouraging nationwide change.