R: WW1 and the Fall

Question 1

Economic position by 1913

Answer 1

• Highest annual growth rate in Europe
• Government expenditure and income had doubled
• However still behind industrialised Germany and France

Question 2

Political position by 1913

Answer 2

• Grievances addressed (Oct Manifesto, Duma, Stolypin)
• Ruled effectively with the Duma
• Patriotic fevour/enthusiasm healed the rift between the Tsar and his people

Question 3

Social position by 1913

Answer 3

• Growing group of peasant landowners
• Growing wealthy commercial

Question 4

Deaths at war

Answer 4

2 million

Question 5

Economic impact

Answer 5

5x government expenditure, and by 1916, 5x 1914 budget
* Rising cost of living, unemployment, shortages, inflation

Question 6

Social impact

Answer 6

Demoralising military defeats, distant leadership, economic disaster
* Socialist agitation
* Anti-war sentiment –> increasing desertion

Question 7

Political impact

Answer 7

Nicholas II became Commander in Chief of the Army September 1915 to improve morale on the front
- Abondoning the people, leaving an enemy in charge (German + Rasputin)
- Future military defeats blamed on the Tsar –> exacerbating grievances

Question 8

Quote about the impact of the war

Answer 8

“Exposing the weak spots”
“The responsibility fell squarely on nicholas’ shoulders”

— David Shub, an exiled social democrat

Question 9

Impact of war on revolution

Answer 9

Workplace: 4x larger than 1914
Inflation: 1917, 4x pre-war prices

–> Growing angry populace

Question 10

Opposition through WW1

Answer 10

• Duma, ZemGor (Zemstvos joined). majority of upper class no longer supported –> Nic’s cousin and uncle orchestrated Rasputin’s assassination
• Lost respect of the working class - previous grievances never fully addressed, worsened by failures under his military command

Question 11

25 feb

Answer 11

250 000 striking workers demonstrating in Petrograd (bread shortage)

Question 12

26 feb

Answer 12

Troops ordered to control the demonstrators joined strikers

Question 13

March revolution

Answer 13

Petrograd garrison joined protestors (90 000), police could not quash violence. Despite this, Tsar left to military headquarters.

Question 14

12 March

Answer 14

10 000 soldiers mutinied, anarchy in the capital (burning buildings)

Provisional Government formed to control the situation

Question 15

15 March

Answer 15

The Tsar, who had lost the support of the military, government and people, abdicated with his family.

When his brother refused to take the throne, Russia became a republic.

Question 16

Rasputin assassination

Answer 16

30 December 1916