What Economic Problems Did Russia Face Pre February 1917?

Question 1

Inflation

Answer 1

WW1 raised huge loans at home and abroad
Taxes were being increased
Money was virtually worthless by 1917
Cost of bread increased by 300%

Question 2

Conscription

Answer 2

Left a shortage of men in the countryside
The economy was mainly rural and agrarian
Less profit

Question 3

Bread queues in Petrograd

Answer 3

Women were working 8-10 hour shifts in factories
They were queueing at bakeries overnight
Lack of imported goods meant that even after queueing all night some women went home without any bread

Question 4

Inadequacies of transport systems

Answer 4

Less imports and exports.
Trading links weakened.
During WW1 transport was prioritised for the war effort and soldiers were given priority for food, resulting in severe food shortages in Russia, inadequate diets and leaving many on the brink of starvation.

Question 5

Unemployment

Answer 5

Unemployment soared as factories were forced to shut down
The employed population faced horrible conditions and low wages