Russias Defeat In WW1 Flashcards
How many Russians were killed during WW1 from 1914-17?
Between 900,000 and 2,500,000 Russians were killed
This range reflects the uncertainty in historical records and estimates of casualties.
How many Russians were wounded during WW1?
At least 1,500,000 Russians were wounded
This figure represents the serious injuries sustained by Russian soldiers during the conflict.
How many Russian soldiers were captured during WW1?
4,000,000 Russian soldiers were captured
This number indicates the scale of military defeats and the challenges faced by the Russian army.
What territory did Russia capture at the start of WW1?
Russia captured 150 miles of Austrian territory
This initial success was part of Russia’s early military campaigns in the war.
What was the outcome of the Russian military presence in German territory by the end of 1914?
Germany pushed Russian armies out of German territory before the end of 1914
This reflects the rapid deterioration of Russian military fortunes early in the war.
Who took overall command of the Russian armies in September 1915?
Tsar Nicholas II took overall command of the Russian armies
This decision was made in an attempt to improve military effectiveness amid ongoing defeats.
What percentage of Russian territory was controlled by Austria and Germany by the end of 1916?
Over 13% of Russian territory was controlled by Austria and Germany
This loss of territory indicated the severe impact of the war on Russia.
What tactics did many Russian officers and generals favor during WWI?
Cavalry attacks with sabres and lances
What was a significant disadvantage of the Russian cavalry tactics against German forces?
German machine guns
What was one reason for Russia’s defeat in WWI?
Incompetent and overconfident officers
What mistake did Russia’s Generals make in 1914 regarding army deployment?
Sent the army into Germany too quickly and this lack of preparation meant that while early actions brought some initial successes against minor German raids, the broader offensive lacked the robust planning and logistical backing needed for a sustained campaign
How did the Russian Generals’ decision affect army support and supply?
Units left far away from additional support and supply lines
What was a characteristic of the Russian Generals’ leadership during WWI?
Did not work as a team and generals sometimes pursued conflicting strategies or failed to effectively support one another
Fill in the blank: Soldiers were left overly-vulnerable by _______.
leaders
What did outdated tactics and over-confidence have on Russian performance?
Outdated tactics: This rigidity made it difficult for Russian forces to adapt to the dynamic battlefield conditions.
Over-Confidence: This complacency led to poor preparation and strategic missteps, such as underestimating the importance of naval power in the conflict
Who made himself the leader of the army in September 1915?
The Tsar
What was Nicholas II’s combat experience level?
No combat experience
What was the impact of Nicholas II on the war effort?
Made no difference as an experienced leader was needed to deal with the complicated demands of leading an army
How often did Nicholas II challenge the decisions of his generals?
Rarely
What were some reasons for Russia’s defeat in WWI?
Poor equipment, lack of supplies, ineffective leadership
Fill in the blank: Many soldiers had no _______ or winter coats.
boots
Fill in the blank: Sometimes 2 or 3 soldiers shared the same _______.
rifle
What was the usual shortage in the Russian army?
Bullets and medical supplies
True or False: The army was well-equipped for winter conditions.
False
