Impact of WWI Flashcards
Why did Russia enter the First World War?
To protect Serbia against Austria-Hungary, and stopping Austria-Hungary from dominating the Balkans.
During WWI, how many Russian troops:
(a) were captured;
(b) died?
(a) 5 million captured
(b) 2 million died
How many Russian troops died in 1914 alone?
250,000
Of the 18.6 million men who served in the Russian army during the war, how many had already been in uniform before the war?
Only 1.4 million
How successful was Russia in the Battle of Tannenburg and why?
Not at all successful. 100,000 Russian soldiers and 400 guns were captured
What happened to the officer corps as the war progressed and why?
Became less aristocratic and experienced as more and more officers died (40,000 in 1914)
What happened in July 1915 which led to Nicholas taking personal command of the Russian armed forces in August 1915?
Russia lost control of Warsaw
Why was Nicholas taking personal command of the armed forces in August 1915 a significant blunder?
He wasn’t a natural commander and he was now personally culpable for Russia’s performance in the war - defeats could be blamed on him
In which offensive in 1916 was Russia successful and how?
The Brusilov Offensive, June 1916 - killed over half the Austrian troops (200,000)
How much did the First World War cost Russia?
3 billion roubles - far above peacetime spending
What three methods did the Russian government use to pay for the cost of war?
Borrowing (foreign loans)
Tax increases
Printing more money
When and why did Nicholas II introduce prohibition of vodka?
August 1914 - to remove a distraction from the people and stimulate the war effort
Why was prohibition an economic mistake?
In 1913 the vodka monopoly had raised 665 million roubles - 26% of all government income - the Russian state had deprived itself of an irreplaceable source of income
How did soldiers get around prohibition?
Looted alcohol stores and produced ‘samogon’ (illegally distilled vodka)
Give four reasons why there were food shortages in Russia during the First World War
Increasing population
Food requisitioning by the army
Lack of fertilisers
Transport problems
