Which significant change occurred as a result of the February Revolution in 1917?

The February Revolution in 1917 was a pivotal moment in Russian history that led to significant political changes. The correct answer highlights that this revolution marked the end of Tsar Nicholas II's reign. This was accomplished through widespread protests and strikes against the tsarist regime, which culminated in the abdication of Nicholas II.

The abdication of the tsar resulted in the establishment of a provisional government, which represented a dramatic shift away from autocratic rule and toward a more democratic framework, although it still faced significant challenges. This change fundamentally altered the structure of Russian governance and set the stage for future conflicts over power, notably leading up to the Bolshevik Revolution later that same year.

The other options, while related to the broader context of Russian history, do not accurately reflect a direct consequence of the February Revolution. For instance, the start of World War I had already occurred in 1914 and was not a direct outcome of the February events. The division of the Duma and the rise of the Bolsheviks were consequential developments that occurred later in the revolutionary process, underlining the cascading effects of the initial revolution but not being immediate results of it. Thus, the most significant change directly attributed to the February Revolution is the end of