Changes in the allied forces

Question 1

Why did the Russians suffer so many defeats against the Germans?

Answer 1

• lack of effective equipment and leadership
• the Tsar placed himself as head of the military which made things even worse due to his lack of experience

Question 2

Why did the Tsar become increasingly unpopular?

Answer 2

Russians suffered at home due to shortages of food and fuel
This was because factories had been left by men who joined the army so people starved to death.
The war and the Tsar became increasingly unpopular

Question 3

What happened in 1917 in Russia?

Answer 3

There were riots and strikes. Soldiers who were told to fire on them refused and joined them. Soldiers on the front line also mutinied

Question 4

What happened in Petrograd?

Answer 4

A workers council was established and coordinated a full scale revolution. The Tsar had no choice but to abdicate on 15th March 1917

Question 5

What happened in October 1917 in Russia

Answer 5

The Bolsheviks overthrew the provisional government under the lead of Lenin

Question 6

When and what was the Treaty of Brest Litovsk?

Answer 6

March 1918
Russians signed this treaty to withdraw from the war which meant they lost huge amounts of agricultural land to Germany

Question 7

What were the impacts of Russian withdrawal?

Answer 7

• Britain and France were furious
• Germans moved all their troops to the western front because they now no longer had to fight on 2 fronts
• The land gained by the Germans in the treaty eased some problems cause by the naval blockade

Question 8

What was America at the start of the war?

Answer 8

Neutral

Question 9

Despite, being neutral, what did the USA do?

Answer 9

They supplied the allies with food, weapons and other goods

Question 10

Why did an anti-German feeling grow in the USA?

Answer 10

U boats were sinking American cargo ships and the sinking of the Lusitania seemed to be the last straw because it broke the ‘unrestricted submarine warfare’ policy, but Woodrow Wilson refused to join
The Zimmerman telegram also sent to Mexico created more anti - German feelings

Question 11

When did the USA declare war?

Answer 11

April 1917

Question 12

What was the impact of US involvement?

Answer 12

It was a huge boost for the allies, especially as Russia was moving towards withdrawal
For the Germans, it was a huge blow so they raced to launch a huge attack before the Americans arrived