Russia and World War 1Prepared by Mr. Harris

What were the effects of World War One on the

political, economic and social structure of Russia?

Pre war situation

• Following defeat against Japan and the 1905 revolution a military build up was deemed essential

• In 1907 alliances made with Britain and France

• In 1912 “ The Great Military Program” started- ambitious modernisation program but too little too late before war breaks out.

1914

• The war began positively for Russia – it united the population behind a common cause and a wave of patriotism focusing on loyalty to the Tsar swept the country.

• The turmoil of 1905 and suppression under Stolypin was temporarily forgotten

• Fact: St Petersburg was considered a “German” name and so the city was renamed Petrograd!

• Crowd gather in St Petersburg to celebrate the

outbreak of war,1914

.

Warning 1: Minister of Interior Durnovo Feb 1914

• As Minister of Interior under Witte, Durnovo argues Russia will be badly damaged by war.

• If Russia lost “ The financial consequences can be neither foreseen or calculated and will spell total disintegration for Russia”

• If Russia won only plus would be easy defeat of socialist revolutionary movements.

• Consider and respond to Durnovos exact quote in Analysing- Focus! P 64

• Pyotr Durnovo (1844-1915)

Response 2: Lenin's condemnation

• Only the Socialists within the Duma opposed Russian involvement in the war.

• Lenin speaking from abroad fiercely denounced the war as a ‘bourgeois’ conflict, with the upper classes manipulating the toiling masses for their gain.

• Lenin called for formation of socialist groups that would not fight but instead try to win over fellow German workers.

• What do you think was the response of the general population to this call for class war in August 1914?

The reality of war

• The First World War was a devastating conflict for all countries involved but for none more so than Russia. She lost over 4 million men in the first year alone.

• Russian dead

• Russian troops surrender en masse at Tannenburg

• Russian troops surrender en masse at Tannenburg

• The Russian army had spirit and bravery but they lacked effective leadership or the benefits of modern technology and despite some modest victories were severely battered by the Germans.

• Russian troops were often poorly equipped

Victory and defeat: 1914

• Initial gains against Austria Hungary in Galicia proved to be short lived.

• Two armies drove into East Prussia but their supplies could not keep up.

• At the battles of Tannenburg and Masurian Lakes in August and September the Russian armies were beaten badly by superior German tactics.

• “This is not war ,sir. This is slaughter. The Germans use up shells, we use up human lives”- anonymous Russian officer. What does this tell us about attitudes to losses amongst the elite leadership?

• In first few months of war Russia had lost over 1.2 million men. How could this happen?

Russian troops surrendering en mass at Tannenburg

Problems facing the Russian army

• Lack of ammunition• Their was a severe

shortage of rifles and bullets-”by end of 1914 6.5 million men mobilized but only 4.6 million rifles” Pipes -Concise History

• Minister of war, General Sukhomlinov, favored using bayonets, encouraging generals to use troops to storm enemy trenches with hand to hand combat.

• Against machine guns the Russian troops stood no chance.

• Poor organisation• Despite Wittes railway

program, organisation of trains during war very poor.

• Troops often hungry or vital munitions would fail to be delivered.

• Skilled train drivers or mechanics often drafted to front line worsened problem.

Demoralisation

• Ratio of Russian soldiers surrendering as opposed to being killed in action very high.

• By 1916 rate was 1.2 million men captured vs. 270,000 killed.

• This contrasted with British army-5 times more men killed than captured!

• What does this say about the fighting spirit of the Russian army?

• Historian Moynihan argues high POW ratio important as it reveals a desire to be captured rather than die for Russia. Why?

Impact of Socialist Propaganda

• General Ruzski reported in Dec 1916 that Bolshevik ideas spreading rapidly.

• At same time surrendering to enemy more common

• Whole companies would deliberately self inflict wounds on themselves to get sent home “with honour”

Bolshevik anti war poster (1918)

- “The Tsar, the Priest and the Rich man on the shoulders of the working man” How is this effective propaganda?

The Tsar as Commander

• By mid 1915 Russia was facing terrible difficulties and the Tsar made the decision to assume command of the armed forces.

• This decision was strongly opposed by the Duma who felt that the Tsar had no experience of leading troops (they were right) and felt that the move would put the Tsarist system under serious threat (they were right).

Nicholas as Commander (1)

• The Tsar replaced the experienced Grand duke Nikolaevich in August 1915.

• His wife Alexandra would write more than 400 letters to him, confirming that “ his decision showed true mastery, the autocrat without whom Russia cannot exist”.

• Michael Rodzianko

• Michael Rodzianko,4th chairman of the Duma and a key advisor of the Tsar wrote a telling letter on 12th August 1915 to Nicholas.

• Read the section of the letter in Analysing p 69 and answer questions.

• What is your opinion of the Tsar at this point?

Nicholas as Commander (2)Consequences of decision

• Notion that he had abandoned the capital

• Perception that he had abandoned the Russian people in their darkest hour

• Military defeat built up an increasing lack of confidence in the Tsar.

• The Tsar now took the blame for all disasters and calamities that befell his armies.

• His commander,Brusilov, claimed that “ Everyone knew that the Tsar understood nothing about military matters and lacks the charisma to inspire the troops” Figes,Peoples Tragedy p270

Political problems (1)

• Three key organisations set up in 1914 to assist war effort

• 1) All Russian union of Towns• 2) All Russian Union Zemstva • The second was led by the

aristocrat Prince Lvov, main role was to care for wounded

and send supplies to the front.• 3) Central War Industries

committee• Its main role was to try to

organise war production-why was this necessary?

• But by 1915…. all three found the obstruction and inefficiency of the bureaucracy and the Tsars administration unbearable.

• The tsar had even claimed that organising the country for war would pave the way for revolution!

• Prince Lvov

Political Problems(2)

• The Progressive bloc was formed by moderates in Duma in 1915

• 25th August 1915 releases plan for reform.

• Called for change of ministers selected by Duma

• How would Alexandra and the Tsar respond to this and why?

• “The Progressive bloc are fiends who deserve a smacking”-Alexandra to the Tsar

• Tsars response was to dismiss Duma

• In coming months the rebel ministers who had sided with progressive bloc were dismissed and replaced by allies of the Romanovs.

Alexandra and Rasputin Alexandra• The unpopular and aloof

Tsarina was left in charge of political affairs.

• Alexandra was a passionate autocrat and despised the Duma.

• Due to her being German born conspiracy theories raged and public mistrust was rife.

• Her dependence on her chief “advisor” the monk Rasputin was widely unpopular.

• Encouraged by her “chief advisor", Rasputin

Rasputin• Grigori Rasputin-holy

man or the devil?• Entered into confidence

of the Tsar in 1905• The sickness of the Tsars

heir was one that weighed heavily on Alexandra- why?

• Rasputin was able to “heal” the Tsarevitch Alexis of his haemophilia

In a recent documentary he was described as one of the

most evil men in history. What could Rasputin have

done to deserve this reputation?

In a recent documentary he was described as one of the

most evil men in history. What could Rasputin have

done to deserve this reputation?

What is the connection between these images and the man on the previous

slide?

Does this explain why he might be called one of the most evil men in

history?

What is the connection between these images and the man on the previous

slide?

Does this explain why he might be called one of the most evil men in

history?

Political Problems(3)

• Men were promoted only if they respected Rasputin and his advice rather than based on merit and ability.

• Look at Analysing p73-read the quotes about Rasputin's influence

• Ministerial leapfrogging meant that …….

• Between Sep 1915 and Feb 1917 it would mean..

• “Russia had 4 prime minsters,5 ministers of interior,3 foreign minsiters,3 war ministers 3 ministers of transport and 4 ministers of agriculture” (Figes,A peoples Tragedy,p278)

• What would be the impact of this on political stability and competency?

• Few ministers understood their roles as a result.

• Who was in charge and who did they report to? The Tsar or Alexandra or was it Rasputin?

Does this slide add to your

understanding?

Why would the Tsar dislike this

image?

Could the image cause any

problems for the Tsar?

Answer questions in

Analysing p73

Does this slide add to your

understanding?

Why would the Tsar dislike this

image?

Could the image cause any

problems for the Tsar?

Answer questions in

Analysing p73Reproduced with the kind permission of the David King Collection, London

“Tsar of the land of Russia, if you hear the sound of the bell which will tell you that Rasputin has been killed, you must know this……. if it was your relations who have wrought my death then no one of your family, that is to say, none of your children or relations will remain alive for more than two years. They will be killed by the Russian people...I shall be killed. I am no longer among the living.” Rasputin

The Evil Monk

The Tsarevitch, Alexis, fell ill, the attack was severe and both the Tsar and the empress were frantic. Alexi's illness became Rasputin’s way to get privileges.

"I believe in Rasputin!!"

"It is necessary to have Faith. God alone is thy help……a man can do much." (The Real Tzaristar, LiliDehn)

The “man” was referred to Rasputin by Alexandra

"Tell me, Rasputin, are you really powerful enough to dissolve the Duma? How would you go about it?"

Said by Prince Felix Yusupov.

"Why, my dear fellow, it's perfectly easy; when you become my friend and ally, you'll be told everything. For the time being, I'll tell you this much: the Tsarina has a wise, strong mind and I can get anything and everything from her. As for him (Nicholas II), he's a simple soul. He was not cut out to be a sovereign; he is made for family life, to admire nature and flowers, but not to reign. That's beyond his strength. So, with God's blessing, we come to his rescue.“ Rasputin

Economic and Social Problems(1)

The economic impact• Michael Rodzianko “ The

country has everything it needs but cannot make adequate use of it:

• What does this mean?

• Funding for the war increased massively

• War costs were 4.7 times government expenditure for 1913!

• To finance this the govt borrowed heavily from the allies, increased taxation and printed more money

• Inflation quickly spiralled out of control as a result.

Economic Problems(2)

• 1) Food shortages• Poor organisation meant

despite good harvests, food not transported to towns and cities.

• Russia railways unable to cope with demands of war

• By 1916 Petrograd and Moscow only got 1/3 of daily needs. Food riots thus increased.

• Peasants hoarded their grain due to rising inflation

• 2) Fuel Shortages• The same transport problems

meant bakeries, factories could only operate on a limited periods.

• Some closed down.• A bitterly cold winter of 1916-

1917 did not help, with a shortage of coal to keep homes warm meaning many froze to death!

Economic Problems(3)

• Unemployment• What would be impact of

fuel crisis on unemployment?

• Daily lives of industrial workers increasingly desperate

• Price Increases• By 1916 wages had

risen by 50% but prices for goods between 100-500%!!

• Middle class savings were wiped out by inflation

By 1917

• By 1917 the Tsar was in a very precarious position – although Rasputin was dead (murdered in 1916), the damage was done – Russia had been weakened by severe military defeats, poverty was engulfing the country again, opposition groups were getting louder and many of the people had lost confidence in the God-given powers of the Tsar.

Russia was ready for Revolution????????????