Russia at War Flashcards
List several reasons for Russia’s entrance into the First World War
- Germanophobia
- Pan-Slavism
- Economic interests e.g. obtain control over Bosphorus
- To stoke patriotism and support for the Tsar
- Support for war amongst prominent figures e.g. Krivoshein, Sazonov and Bark
How did soldiers and civilians respond to the Tsar when he announced war from the Winter Palace balcony?
They knelt to the floor and proclaimed “God bless the Tsar”
How did the Duma show its support for the war?
It dissolved itself so as not to burden the government with “unnecessary politics”
What major strike stopped at the outset of war?
The St Petersburg General Strike
How were Germans in Russia treated? What was St Petersburg renamed to?
Germans were targeted e.g. shops attacked and embassy was ransacked
St Petersburg became Petrograd
Which progressive paper declared there was “One United Russian Nation” at the outbreak of war?
Utro Rossi
Which two key defeats occurred on the 18th August and 2nd September 1914, damaging morale?
The Battle of Tannenburg and Battle of Masurian Lakes
What was abandoned in order to print money?
Gold standard
How much did government spending increase between 1914 and 1917?
4m to 30m roubles
How much did the price of food and fuel increase between 1914 and 1916?
400%
In what year did the railway system virtually collapse? What caused this?
1916 - the track was of poor quality and the signalling system broke down
Where did goods on trains start sinking into the ground due to blocked lines?
Archangel
How did the damaged railway system impact on food shortage? How many grain wagons did Moscow receive in 1914 compared to February 1917?
It meant that much needed food rotted on the immovable tracks and cities received far fewer resources than they required.
In 1914, Moscow received 2200 grain wagons a month but by February 1917, they only received 700
How much smaller was the ration of bread in 1917 than what it was in 1914 in Petrograd?
1/4 of the amount in 1917 compared to 1914
How did the large number of refugees to Petrograd impact food supplies?
It exacerbated them
