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 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 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
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
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
What did peasants begin doing after inflation made trading unprofitable?
Hoarding grain
What proportion of the required food and fuel did Petrograd and Moscow receive in 1916?
1/3
How many casualties occurred in the first 12 months of the war for Russia?
4m
What was the military situation for Russian soldiers by the end of 1915?
They were in a head-long retreat
How many deserters were there in 1916?
1.5m
