The Challenges Facing Czar Nicholas II 1914-17

Life in Russia During WWI By the end of 1914, over one million soldiers had been killed or wounded. There were food shortages because peasants had been forced to fight in the army so less food was produced. Because of the food shortage, the price of food in the cities rose. Defeats continued and the casualties increased.

2. In August 1915 you sack the current Army Commander for incompetence 2. In August 1915 you sack the current Army Commander for incompetence. You replace him with . . . Yourself to keep a close eye on things? A massive mistake. Now you will be blamed for all of Russia’s military defeats (0 points) Another experienced military officer? A good idea. Hopefully they know what they’re doing and, if they do badly, you can blame them for all the mistakes. (10 points) A relative of yours, for example your brother Michael? A little bit too close to you and looks like favouritism but at least he can still be a scapegoat if things go wrong! (5 points)

What did Czar Nicholas do? a. Nicholas made a terrible mistake. In August 1915, he decided to take over the running of the war The defeats continued. By 1917, eight million people had been killed or wounded. (0 points)

3. It is September 1915 you decide to take control of the army and its fighting. Who will run the government back in Petrograd (the capital) while you are away? You continue to run the government as well as the army. Not ideal, it will take a long time for decisions to be made but certainly not the worst of these options. (5 points) You hand over government affairs to your German wife. German wife! You are fighting the Germans! (0 points) You hand over responsibility to the Duma (the Parliament). Yes, this is the best decision. Keep your Parliament onside. (10 points)

What did Czar Nicholas do? b. He handed over the day-to-day running of the country to Czarina Alexandra, his German wife. (0 points) People mistrusted her because of her German background – was she a spy? Added to this, there were rumours she was having an affair with Rasputin – was he actually running the country? She made a mess of running the country and refused to work with Parliament. She appointed Rasputin’s friends to important positions in government. These people were ineffective at organising food, fuel and other supplies. The railway system fell into chaos and food was left rotting at the train stations.

Failure at War Czar Nicholas was blamed for military failures because he was in control of the army Czarina left to run the country – she was not trusted by the people because she was German Czarina trusted Rasputin, a holy monk who had saved her son, Alexi, from hemophelia Railway system starts to fall apart– food and fuel cannot be transported to where it is needed

Take food by force from the people who have it in the countryside? 4. It is late autumn, 1916, and food is running short in the cities. Do you: Take food by force from the people who have it in the countryside? The peasants might rise up in revolt against you – it would be a big risk! (5 points) Nothing – it will sort itself out in the Spring? There are people in the cities starving, they need food now! (0 points) Take peasants from the army and send them to the countryside to produce more food? Not a good idea. Your army is already doing badly, you need as many soldiers as possible! (0 points)

What did Czar Nicholas do? b. The Czar did nothing. There was plenty of food in the countryside but it simply was not being sold in the cities. He considered taking it by force but was too scared it might start a revolt. 0 points

5. It is November 1916. The workers in the cities are unhappy with their wages, which have stayed the same throughout the war, as they cannot afford as much food as before because of price inflation. What do you do? Force the factory owners to pay their workers a higher wage. It won’t be popular with the factory owners and they might decide to stop producing weapons for war. (0 points) Do nothing – it is up to the workers and their bosses to sort this out. The workers will go on strike and stop producing weapons and equipment for the war (0 points) Say to the workers that you will address their problems, but after the war when there is less chaos. A risky strategy, but you probably convince them for the time being (5 points)

What did Czar Nicholas do? b. He did nothing. The workers in the cities went on strike and started demonstrating against the Czar. (0 points)

6. You cannot get food to the cities because your trains are being used for the war effort. Your nobles have allied themselves with the Duma because they are unhappy with the way you are handling the war and the workers are on strike in the cities. Do you . . . Redeploy trains from the war effort to transfer the food to the cities. This won’t work. Your railway system isn’t good enough – you only have one train line! (0 points) Do nothing – it will sort itself out in the Spring. Oh dear! The problems will only get worse. (0 points) Surrender to Germany. Try and negotiate the best possible terms with them and focus on your problems at home. Probably the best option. The Germans would probably let you off lightly as they are desperate to use their whole army against the British and French on the Western Front. You will be able to get food to the cities to stop the strikes. (10 points)

What did Czar Nicholas do? The Czar did nothing. His decision to go to war in 1914 had been really popular but now it was creating ALL his problems. 0 points

Workers There is not enough food in the cities Workers want higher wages (so they can buy food) Workers go on strike

Accept their advice and resign. 7. It is December 1916. The Council of the United Nobility (key allies of yours in Russia) want you to resign for the ‘good of the country’. They are unhappy that so many of their sons have died in the war. They also don’t like the fact that it seems like Rasputin is running the country. What do you do? Accept their advice and resign. This might end your problems, but it isn’t holding onto your power. (5 points) Show that you understand their concerns by getting rid of Rasputin and giving them more of a say in running the country. A good idea – you need to keep the nobles on your side. (10 points) Ignore the request – you are too busy running the war effort. They will be furious and might take matters into their own hands. (0 points)

What did Czar Nicholas do? C. Ignore the request – you are too busy running the war effort. They will be furious and might take matters into their own hands. (0 points)

Nobility Wanted the czar to resign, but Nicholas refused. The nobles shifted support to the Russian Parliament saying they should force the Czar to abdicate (give up power). In December 1916, a group of Russian nobles murdered Rasputin. Poisoned with enough to kill 5 men Shot Beaten Drowned

8. It is March 1917 and most of the workers in the capital city, Petrograd, have gone on strike. What do you do? Send in the army to crush the revolt – show them who is boss! The Army does not like the Czar and might not obey. (0 points) Do nothing – the cold will drive them indoors soon enough. Things will just get worse! (0 points) Send a key advisor to listen to their problems – say they will look into it as soon as possible. It might work, they do think you are chosen by God but might not be willing to listen for long (5 points)

What did Czar Nicholas do? a. The Czar ordered that the demonstrations be put down by force. But the soldiers in Petrograd refused to fire on the crowds, they actually joined the demonstrations demanding that Duma take over the running of the country.

Soldiers Czar Nicholas orders the soldiers to stop striking workers in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) Soldiers refused to shoot at workers & demand that Parliament takes over the government Railway workers stop the czar’s train and don’t allow him into the capital Nicholas is forced to abdicate = AKA the March Revolution

Timeline November 1916: Workers in the cities strike December 1916: Nobles are unhappy and they assassinate Rasputin March Revolution (1917): Nicholas II abdicates The Duma forms the “Provisional Government” and creates a democracy.

New Government Shared power Provisional Government (the congress) – made up of the elite. Local soviets (similar to town councils) – made up of common people and soldiers