 starter activity A priest blessing soldiers in a Russian field hospital in WWI. From the Tsar’s perspective, what were some of the advantages and disadvantages to be gained from taking part in the Great War?

What impact did WWI have on Russia? To assess the level of support for the Tsar on the eve of WWI To examine the economic and political impact of the War on the Russian government  LOs

 Your task Read Murphy, p.43-4 and write these two headings, leaving 10 lines between each one: Read Murphy, p.43-4 and write these two headings, leaving 10 lines between each one: Positive impact of WWI Positive impact of WWI Negative impact of WWI Negative impact of WWI Note down evidence under the appropriate heading. Note down evidence under the appropriate heading. What impact would WWI have on Russia’s economy – note down your ideas under two headings: What impact would WWI have on Russia’s economy – note down your ideas under two headings: Agriculture Agriculture Industry Industry

Positive August 1914, patriotic support for the Tsar & the Russian Army August 1914, patriotic support for the Tsar & the Russian Army August 1914, Russian army entered East Prussia & parts of Austro-Hungarian Empire August 1914, Russian army entered East Prussia & parts of Austro-Hungarian Empire September 1914, Russians captured Austro- Hungarian fortress town of Przemysl, taking 110,000 prisoners September 1914, Russians captured Austro- Hungarian fortress town of Przemysl, taking 110,000 prisoners June to August 1916, Brusilov Offensive, initially successful, Romania joined Russians June to August 1916, Brusilov Offensive, initially successful, Romania joined Russians

Negative September 1914, Battle of Tannenburg, German Generals Hindenburg and Ludendrof won a crushing defeat over Russian Generals Rennenkampf & Samsonov; 30,000 Russians casualties, 95,000 captured, 500 guns captured September 1914, Battle of Tannenburg, German Generals Hindenburg and Ludendrof won a crushing defeat over Russian Generals Rennenkampf & Samsonov; 30,000 Russians casualties, 95,000 captured, 500 guns captured December 1914, Battle of Lodz December 1914, Battle of Lodz July 1915, Gorlice-Tarnow offensive July 1915, Gorlice-Tarnow offensive September 1915, Nicholas II assumed control of army, leaving govt, to Tsarina September 1915, Nicholas II assumed control of army, leaving govt, to Tsarina December 1915, Russians driven out of Poland December 1915, Russians driven out of Poland August 1916, Brusilov Offensive lost momentum, troops withdrew from Baltic to Black Sea August 1916, Brusilov Offensive lost momentum, troops withdrew from Baltic to Black Sea December 1916, major desertions and shortages in army, 1.6m had died by this date, 3.9m wounded, 2.4 prisoners December 1916, major desertions and shortages in army, 1.6m had died by this date, 3.9m wounded, 2.4 prisoners

 Your task Read Murphy, p note the ways in which WWI affected the Russian economy. Read Murphy, p note the ways in which WWI affected the Russian economy.

Effects on the economy Poor government – Tsarina in charge Poor government – Tsarina in charge Industrial production focused arms production Industrial production focused arms production Factory workers & farm labourers conscripted into army – 5.3 m men mobilised Factory workers & farm labourers conscripted into army – 5.3 m men mobilised Government spending increased 8x Government spending increased 8x Taxes and loans increased Taxes and loans increased Inflation – 200%, August 1914-Dec 1916 Inflation – 200%, August 1914-Dec 1916 Transport interrupted Transport interrupted Famines in towns and cities – Moscow received 300 wagons of grain by Dec 1916 (2,200 in 1914) Famines in towns and cities – Moscow received 300 wagons of grain by Dec 1916 (2,200 in 1914)

 Your task Read p.45-6 in Murphy and p.80-1 in Oxley and list the reasons why political opposition to the Tsar’s government developed between August 1914 and December Read p.45-6 in Murphy and p.80-1 in Oxley and list the reasons why political opposition to the Tsar’s government developed between August 1914 and December 1916.

Political opposition Success or organisations like Union of Zemstva & War Industries Committee highlighted incompetence of the Tsar Success or organisations like Union of Zemstva & War Industries Committee highlighted incompetence of the Tsar ZEMGOR formed to help war effort, but became a focus for opposition group too ZEMGOR formed to help war effort, but became a focus for opposition group too Formation of ‘Progressive Bloc’ within Duma Formation of ‘Progressive Bloc’ within Duma Appointment of ultra-conservative ministers Appointment of ultra-conservative ministers

 Your task List the reasons why Rasputin was to blame for declining unpopularity of the Tsar List the reasons why Rasputin was to blame for declining unpopularity of the Tsar

 Extension task /  Homework Conduct a source investigation into the role of Rasputin in bringing about the downfall on the Tsar, using the evidence on p.82-3 of Oxley. Conduct a source investigation into the role of Rasputin in bringing about the downfall on the Tsar, using the evidence on p.82-3 of Oxley. What degree of responsibility can Rasputin bear? What degree of responsibility can Rasputin bear?

Plenary Plenary Explain the impact of the following on Russia: Explain the impact of the following on Russia: The country’s military performance The country’s military performance Impact of war on economy Impact of war on economy Role of Tsar & Tsarina Role of Tsar & Tsarina Political opposition Political opposition  Extension. Do you agree with Norman Stone that the state of Russia’s army during WWI was just a ‘Bolshevik fabrication’?  Extension. Do you agree with Norman Stone that the state of Russia’s army during WWI was just a ‘Bolshevik fabrication’?