WW1

Question 1

Reasons/ causes for Russian involvement in WW1

Answer 1

• Germanys decision to form Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy
• Russia declared itself ‘defender of the Slav people’ therefore got involved when Serbia were blamed for death of Franz Ferdinand and threatened by Austria-Hungary
• 1907 Russia had joined Britain and France to form Triple Entente, meaning any military action would bring this system into play
• Russia viewed by Germany as their main military threat being described as a ‘steam roller’ advancing on Austria and Germany
• Nicholas II’s diplomatic move to protect the Slav populations of Serbia and issue a warning to Austria led to Germany declaring war on Russia - Schlieffen Plan meant full mobilisation of Russian troops could not be avoided despite Tsars best efforts

Question 2

Key Events

Answer 2

Battle of Tannenberg (Aug 1914)
- 10 000 of 150 000 Russian soldiers managed to escape
Dec 1914
- Russia had 6 500 000 soldiers but only 4 600 000 rifles
1915
- Russia had suffered 2 million casualties
- Agricultural production slumped, major food shortages for peasants
August 1915
- Nicholas II made himself Commander-in-Chief of army
Brusilov Offensive
- Began in June 1916, initially successful, advanced 80km and captured 200 000 however were stopped September 1916, when Russia lost 1 million men
Tsar Nicholas abdicated March 1917
Provisional Government set up
- Kerensky becoming Minister for War in May 1917
- Kerensky offensive halted by July 1917
By autumn of 1917 estimated 2 million Russian soldiers had deserted the army

Question 3

Political aspects of Russia impacted by WW1

Answer 3

Nicholas II
- indecisive in 1914, didn’t want war but was under pressure form duma
- confusion over mobilisation, initially ordered partial mobilisation against only Austria but was told by generals that this was unworkable, therefore ordered a general mobilisation, which he cancelled soon after but eventually let stand
- August 1915 became Commander-in-Chief of army
Duma
- August 1915, expressed concern toward government handling of the war, Progressive Bloc was formed and called for a government of confidence, which was rejected by the government and the duma was then dissolved
- Challenged competence of the government 1916, members formed committee which became the Provisional Government during the revolution
- Bolshevik support gradually grew as anti-war propaganda made impact as morale fell

Question 4

Defeats and organisation during WW1

Answer 4

Defeats came as a result of poor organisation
- Russians broadcasted radio messages uncoded
- Armies in operation in East Prussia worked independently to one way or another, had no co-operation
Russian people had low support for the war effort
- perception was that the Tsar was running the war in the interests of France, France had given Russia loans and allies tried to help Russia by sending supplies and trying to open a trade route through the Black Sea
- Russia had helped the allies by launched Brusilov Offensive at same time as the Somme, however help did not come when Germany invaded Russian Poland during 1915
The government and bureaucracy were determined to keep their own power, therefore restricted the activities of nongovernmental organisations, such as the Unions of Zemstvo

Question 5

Economic impacts of WW1

Answer 5

Industrial
- Massive expansion of war production, artillery production in 1916 was 4x that in 1914, all other industries declined
- Production was hit by supply issues, such as fuel and labour shortages
Agricultural
- Initially good for farmers, could charge at higher prices as food was needed for peasants and military
- As value of money fell and shortages became common, farmers began to keep grain for themselves
- Requisitioning meant more shortages for peasants
General
- Quantitive easing
- Rapid inflation, value of money fell dramatically

Question 6

Social impacts of WW1

Answer 6

• Growing tensions in cities, especially Petrograd to the point where by 1916, police reports warned of great crisis and anarchy
• By 1916, Petrograd and Moscow were receiving 1/3 of the supplies they were receiving at the start of the war
• Wages were well below inflation rates, contributed to unrest especially surrounding food shortages
• Soldiers increasingly defeatist and deserting military, 2 million deserted by 1917