World War One
Russia’s response and involvement in world war one was incredibly damaging to the popularity the tsarist regime, socially and economically. While initially distracting the public from opposition to Tsarism, the immense defeats Russia faced as a result of conscripted untrained peasant soldiers and the lack of ammunition, supplies and organisation amounted to a disillusionment of the tsarist regime among soldiers. The war was marred by poor internal organisation (skilled mechanics being conscripted, inadequate transportation) and demoralisation within the army. Consequentially russia’s involvement in the war became greatly unpopular and surrender seemed more favourable than dying for the republic. Bolshevik notions such as these became popular, ushering new opposition to the tsar. The war was also economically devastating, food shortages resulted from inefficient rail systems, goods rose between 100 and 500 percent, the fuel shortages resulted in high unemployement and war costs alone were 4.7 times the total government expenditure of 1913.
ALIX
ALIX
World War 1 undermined the authoritarian system that the Tsar and Stolypin had maintained after the 1905 revolution. The structure of Tsarist Russia was affected socially, politically and economically. Whilst public support was initially high, devastating losses at Mansurian Lakes and Tannenburg ripped through the high morale of the army and the Russian people. This morale was heightened by the tension filled relationships between peasants and commanders which had not changed during the war. Low morale coupled with severe political failures caused tension between the Tsarist ministers and competent commanders. Furthering this tension was the Tsar’s “romanticised notion” of leading the war from the front line, leaving the Tsarina Alexandra to run Russia under the guidance of the widely loved and feared Rasputin. The poor decisions made by this pair as well as the Tsar catapulted Russia into a financial crisis. With war supplies being exhausted, goods prices rose between 100 to 500 percent and supplies meant for the major cities like Petrograd and Moscow were reassigned to the front, however never made it due to the failing railway system. All this culminated in great contempt for the Tsar and also the war as it was destroying Russia from the inside, which eventually imploded in the February Revolution.
ELLA
ELLA
Russia joined the war in 1914 as a result of their alliance with Serbia, and as a direct result of the war the Tsarist regime would come to an end. Initially, popular discontent with the political and economic circumstances were forgotten amid the emotional fervour of embarking on such a serious campaign. However Russia was not prepared for war despite having the largest army in the world; and as Durnovo warned the Tsar Russia would be irreparably damaged whether they won or lost, and that it will undoubtedly spell the total disintegration of our entire national economy. Outdated tactics, lack of ammunition, poor internal organisation and the despicable moral within the army led to defeat after defeat. By 1917 over 2 million Russian soldiers were either killed of prisoners. As a result, Tsar Nicholas took it upon himself to become Supreme Commander and Chief of the Russian army. This was a terrible decision for many reasons, firstly, he literally abandoned the capital city; secondly, he symbolically abandoned the Russian people in their time of need; and finally the continued military defeats and high casualties resulted in a contagious lack of confidence in the Tsar who now directly shouldered the blame for these losses in the eyes of the people. With the Tsar in Mogilev, Tsarina Alexandra took charge of the government. She was politically inexpericed, from Germany (who were fighting Russia in the war) and constantly implemented Rasputin’s decisions through government. The war also destroyed Russia economically, as funding for the war went 4.7 times over the budget. Wages had risen 50% but goods had between 100% and 500%. When the strikes in Feburary got out of hand, the Tsar was stopped from returning to Russia and forced to abdicate. WW1 cripled Russia internally and externally and brought the end of the Tsarist regime.
JACK
JACK
After significant effort by Stolypin and the Tsar to maintain the authoritarian system after the events of 1905, WWI eroded the Tsarist structure socially, politically and economically. Public support in 1914 was momentous, the previous economic hardships faced by urban workers and peasants were forgotten and there was widespread support for Russia’s involvement in war. The outbreak of war temporarily ameliorated the tension between the Tsar and his government and the Russian population. The Tsar’s decision to go to the front in 1915 was a “romanticised notion.” It was not well thought out and the political situation in suffered as a result. The German Tsarina, Alexandra, was left in control while the Tsar was at the front. She was politically in experienced and was heavily influenced by Rasputin’s decisions. The war itself directly caused heavy economic impacts such as food shortages, fuel shortages, inflation and unemployment. This was mainly due to increasing government expenditure, the war costs were 4.7 times the cost of total government expenditure in 1913. Even with substantial harvests in 1914-16, the poor organisation meant much it was not effectively transported to towns, therefore causing discontent and riots. Fuel supplies were limited, causing slow production and forcing factories to close. Fuel is heavily relied upon especially during harsh winters, therefore this shortage caused difficult privation for much of the population which struggled to heat their homes and provide food. Due to the closed businesses, unemployment also rose, causing further adversity. Even though wages had increased by 50% by October 1916, prices of food and general good had risen 100%, worsening the economic situation. As the military’s defeats grew, the negative social impact increased. Tensions were high as violent resistance to conscription occurred throughout Russia, they were objecting the war entirely, not just Germany. Sir George Buchanan warned the Tsar of the necessity to regain the confidence of the population after key military failures which occurred in WWI. It was the Tsar’s inability to redeem the confidence of the Russian people which, Lockhart states, eventually ‘cost him his throne.’
SIMONE
SIMONE
SOCIAL, POLITICAL and Economic impact of ww1
SOCIAL
Beginning of war
People prayed, shouted joyously, carried flags and placards with “long live Russia” and even bowed in reverence when the Tsar made public appearances
They rename St. Petersburg because it sounded to German so they renamed the city Petrograd
Women
On Azerbaijan lay on train tracks to sop new recruits from being transported to the front and there was a violent resistance to conscription
Industrial Workers
Sir George Buchanan addressed the Tsar on the 30th December 1916 about the importance of regaining confidence of the people “for without such mutual confidence, Russia will never win the war.”
- Between 1914 and 1918, Russia had 8.8% if their 180 million population mobilised
- The crippling weakness was lack of equipment and poor administration
- Nicholas’ decision to become commander-in-chief made the survival of Tsardom dependent on military success
POLITICAL
Dornovo warned of a revolution
“Russia will be flung into hopeless anarchy”
Lenin’s condemnation
Both countries need to become republics (failed)
Nicholas becomes commander of the army abandons people in time of need
Alexandra was left in charge
Inexperienced/German/influenced by Rasputin
Political leapfrogging
Rasputin
Duma suspended to support Tsar
The Zemgor highlighted the governments failures
The progressive Bloc formed in the Duma 25th of June 1915
ECONOMIC
Inflation and price increases
Wages had risen by 50% in October 1916
Rent rose from 3 roubles to 12 per month
Food shortages
Price quadrupled
Rich supplies of food were not efficiently to the towns and cities
Fuel shortages
Price quadrupled
Bakeries and factories had to operate for a limited period or close down as a result of little fuel to transport food
Unemployment
Low supply, high price of food made life a daily struggle
By mid-1916, 30% of Russia’s railway was unusable, so supplies could not be transported
Inflation had reached 400%
The war had cost 38.648 million roubles between 1914-1917
Too many peasants were conscripted, therefore the farming of food decreased, leading to food shortages
‘Main cause of Revolution’ – Lynch
What was Russia’s potential for growth in 1914?
Russia was incredibly stable economically in 1914
P66. – table of inflation
P68 – table of spending
Economic failures caused military failures
Lack of equipment like boots and medical supplies until Rasputin changed this.
Beginning of war
People prayed, shouted joyously, carried flags and placards with “long live Russia” and even bowed in reverence when the Tsar made public appearances
They rename St. Petersburg because it sounded to German so they renamed the city Petrograd
Women
On Azerbaijan lay on train tracks to sop new recruits from being transported to the front and there was a violent resistance to conscription
Industrial Workers
Sir George Buchanan addressed the Tsar on the 30th December 1916 about the importance of regaining confidence of the people “for without such mutual confidence, Russia will never win the war.”
- Between 1914 and 1918, Russia had 8.8% if their 180 million population mobilised
- The crippling weakness was lack of equipment and poor administration
- Nicholas’ decision to become commander-in-chief made the survival of Tsardom dependent on military success
POLITICAL
Dornovo warned of a revolution
“Russia will be flung into hopeless anarchy”
Lenin’s condemnation
Both countries need to become republics (failed)
Nicholas becomes commander of the army abandons people in time of need
Alexandra was left in charge
Inexperienced/German/influenced by Rasputin
Political leapfrogging
Rasputin
Duma suspended to support Tsar
The Zemgor highlighted the governments failures
The progressive Bloc formed in the Duma 25th of June 1915
ECONOMIC
Inflation and price increases
Wages had risen by 50% in October 1916
Rent rose from 3 roubles to 12 per month
Food shortages
Price quadrupled
Rich supplies of food were not efficiently to the towns and cities
Fuel shortages
Price quadrupled
Bakeries and factories had to operate for a limited period or close down as a result of little fuel to transport food
Unemployment
Low supply, high price of food made life a daily struggle
By mid-1916, 30% of Russia’s railway was unusable, so supplies could not be transported
Inflation had reached 400%
The war had cost 38.648 million roubles between 1914-1917
Too many peasants were conscripted, therefore the farming of food decreased, leading to food shortages
‘Main cause of Revolution’ – Lynch
What was Russia’s potential for growth in 1914?
Russia was incredibly stable economically in 1914
P66. – table of inflation
P68 – table of spending
Economic failures caused military failures
Lack of equipment like boots and medical supplies until Rasputin changed this.