Point 3 - Impact of WWI Made Everyone Discontent

Question 1

How did the economic effects of the war cause discontent for both peasants and town workers?

Answer 1

1. The government printed paper money that was worth less, leading to inflation and increased cost of living.
2. Between 1914 and 1917, the government spent over 17 billion roubles on the war - taxes went up which hit ordinary people hard.

Question 2

How did the social effects of the war contribute to the discontent?

Answer 2

1. In 1916, food shortages became worse when the army took control of railways and roads and took large amounts of food to feed the army.
2. Large cities were struggling to cope with the large numbers of refugees fleeing from areas affected by the war.

Question 3

How did the war impact food rationing?

Answer 3

In January 1916, the daily bread ration was 1.2 kg but by early 1917, this had fallen to 0.8 kg - poorer people were starving.

Question 4

Did military defeats also add to the discontent of peasants and town workers?

Answer 4

Yes. Apart from the huge loss of life, the defeats angered ordinary people who blamed the losses on incompetent generals and the tsar and his government.