WW1 affect on Russia Flashcards
What was the military impact of WW1 on Russia due to the lack of equipment?
- The military had a large army, but had less supplies than needed. About 12 million men didn’t have the proper equipment for them, such as armour, weapons and waterproofs, meaning they were susceptible to disease.
- Every 3 men had 2 guns, and stole the enemy’s weapons. They got more weapons in 1916 but had no idea how to use them.
What was the political impact of WW1 on Russia on the Tsar joining the army?
He put himself as commander of the navy and army, even though he had no experience, so they pushed even more blame onto him, as he was directly responsible for the loss of life in the war, not just partially.
What was the economic impact of WW1 on Russia to do with food?
- Many families had a lower wage as the men were conscripted to the war, leaving less people to work the fields, so less food was made. The Duma tried to print more money, only leading to more inflation.
- As the food prices rose, the farmers sold less, as they wouldn’t get as much profit, so some started hoarding their crops for themselves and their animals, so less food was distributed to the urban areas, leading to high prices
What happened to the price index from 1914-17?
It increase by 400%
What was the military impact of WW1 on Russia due to the leaders?
- There were too many ordinary soldiers and too little commanders, leading to many deserters and riots.
- The leaders were also incompetent and had little experience and were mostly scapegoats
What was the political impact of WW1 on Russia on the Duma?
The Duma became very divided and had a growing Progressive Bloc which wanted reform and the end to the Tsar. They had many political changes in Duma. Such as 4 prime ministers and 3 foreign ministers from 1914 - 16.
The constant shifting meant that it was unstable and led to more people joining the Progressive Bloc, which was more than 1/2 the Duma by the end of the war
How did the Tsarina affect the peoples opinion on the monarchy which was started by the war?
People distrusted the Tsarina because she was German, who was the enemy, and they thought she was a spy sent to destroy Russia. This made many doubt the monarchy and believe them to be corrupt.
What was the economic impact of WW1 on Russia to do with transport?
The transport was mainly used by the military, so less could be used in distributing food and fuel around the country.
- The winter was also bad for transportation, as the rails froze, slowing down the army and civilian transportation.
- In cities small factories closed because they had to choose no work or less hours and less pay. In Feb 1917 the Petrograd bakeries closed due to no fuel for the ovens.
What was one of the ways the government tried to get more money for the war?
War bonds, people would give money to the government to be used in the war, and would be paid back after the war (but never were)
What was the social impact of WW1 on Russia to do with the working people?
Their morale had decreased as the men, their main source of income fought in the war, the ones left had to work long, badly paid hours, so there were riots to try and bring about change. Many small businesses and factories were shut after the lack of profit, so unemployment rates skyrocketed.
What was the social impact of WW1 on Russia to do with the aristocrats?
The aristocrats were starting to lose hope in the Tsar because many of their sons were conscripted as officers and died in battle, causing unrest and less loyalty to the Tsar.
How did Rasputin affect the peoples opinion on the monarchy which was started by the war?
Rasputin was a holy man in their employ to cure their son of haemophilia, but tarnished the reputation by being a womaniser and a drunk. He was rumoured to be having an affair with the Tsarina, ruining the Tsars holy image.
What was the affect of the declining urban economic state?
Many riots and strikes occurred, such as the march in January 1917 in Petrograd of about 145 000 and in Moscow of about 30 000 to change their wages, conditions, hours or their discontent
