RUSSIA AND WW1

What do some historians argue about the state of Russia pre WW1 (positive)?

regime was making progress economically and politically and given a period of stability would have developed into a parliamentary democracy and modern industrialised state

Why do some historians argue for the positive change pre WW1?

no recent upheavals in rural areas, army was loyal to the Tsar despite Potemkin mutiny, liberal opposition was weak and divided

When did war break out with Germany?

1914

What happened as a result of war breaking out?

Tsar was popular, russian people united in the face of a cmmon enemy, tsar worked closely with the Duma and St Petersburg was renamed Petrograd

Why did Russian enthuiasm not last long?

despite some initial success the russians were heavoly defeated by the Germans

What were losses like by the end of 1914?

1 million killed, wounded, POW

What were losses like by March 1917?

8 million russians

How did Soldiers react to the initial violence?

saw comrades being slaughtered in a futile manner, often without weapons, ammunitions or boots, blamed their officers who seemed unfeeling and indifferent

what was the food situation like at home?

short supply as millions of peasants were conscripted, people were cold and hungry, sales of vodka stopped during the war and price of foods rose but wages stagnated

What was industry like at home during the war?

railway used for the war effort, coal and industrial materials in short supply, many factories closed leading to a rise in unemployment

What happened in September 1915?

Tsar Nicholas II took over the running of the war and went to the front himself

Whay was Tsar Nicholas II leading the war himself a mistake?

now personally to blame for the losses

who did Tsar Nicholas leace in charge at home?

Tsarina Alexandra, a german princess who had a close relationship with Rasputin

Why was leaving the Tsarina in charge a mistake?

wouldn’t work with the Duma, dismissed able ministers and replaced them with yes men, so many changes no one oraginisng food or fuel for cities, left to rot

Which groups of people, surprisingly lost support for the royals?

middle class, upper class and aristorcracy

What was the winter of 1916 like?

cold, it hit -35 degrees