11. The state of Russia in wartime (WW1)

Question 1

What happened in the Battle of Tannenburg, in East Prussia?

Answer 1

Russia defeated by Germans (Aug 1914). 300,000 dead or wounded.

Question 2

What was Zemgor?

Answer 2

The All-Russian Union of Zemstva and Cities (set up during WW1). Made up of zemstva and municipal dumas. Chaired by Prince Lvov.

Zemgor was never allowed any influence in the war effort (but it did do some humanitarian stuff), so it turned into just another arena for liberal discontent.

Question 3

When did Nicholas II make himself Commander-in-Chief?

Answer 3

Sep 1915

Question 4

How many rifles per soldier were there in 1914?

Answer 4

Two rifles for every three soldiers.

Question 5

How many desertions were there in 1916?

Answer 5

1.5 million

Question 6

How much did railway locomotive production fall between 1913 and 1916?

Answer 6

It halved

Question 7

What was the level of salt inflation compared to pre-war levels?

Answer 7

480%

Question 8

By how much had the cost of living increased by 1916?

Answer 8

300%

Question 9

How many conscripts and volunteers enlisted between 1914 and 1917?

Answer 9

15 million

Question 10

What was Order No. 1 (issued by the Petrograd Soviet in 1917)?

Answer 10

• Duma should only be obeyed if it agreed with the soviet.
• Weapons to be controlled by elected soldiers’ committees.