Historical Interpretations Why did Russia become involved in this conflict? Russian Involvement In World War 1 Containment of the Central Powers For Russia to maintain it’s position as one of the major powers in the region it had to control the Turkish Straits. This would ensure its Black Sea naval fleet access to the Mediterranean Sea. War on Serbia on 28 June 1914, control of the Balkans and therefore the Straits, threatened Russian access to the Mediterranean. Russia had little option but to come to the aid of Serbia. Alliance Responsibilities In 1894 Russia and France formed an alliance to combat possible German aggression. Germany knew that to attack one would result in having to fight on two fronts, France in the West and Russia in the East.

The First World War Russia’s Involvement Russia went to war in 1914 to defend the Serbs from Austrian aggression – Germany used this as a pretext for launching their Schileffen plan and attacked France. After advancing into German territory the Russian army was defeated at Tannenburg and Massurian Lakes (August 1914). From then on there was a terrible slaughter as both sides attempted to win a war of attrition. Though the Russian army was the largest it had poor weaponry (1 rifle for every 5 men) and its leadership uninspiring. August 1915: Tsar Nicholas took personal control of and made himself Commander in Chief – personally blamed for any defeats. 1916: The major ‘Brusilov Offensive’ was a disaster, with around 1 million causalties and hardship at home.

Rasputin When Tsar Nicholas went to the front in 1915, he left the country in the hands of the Tsarina Alexandra (german princess). Rasputin, a monk, gained influence over the Tsarina through his apparent ability to ‘cure’ haemophilla in the Tsar’s son, Alexis through hypnosis. Rasputin contributed to the unpopularity of the Tsar because: He was rumoured to be having an affair with the Tsarina. He was a notorious drunkard and womaniser. He became very influential in the government of Russia, dismissing capable ministers and replacing them with his own friends. Assassianted by a group of nobles led by Prince Yusupov in Dec 1916.

Effects of the WW1 on Russia The Army Demoralised be defeats, especially that of the Tsar’s Brusilov Offensive in No longer loyal to the Tsar – as they lost respect for him. High casualties lowered chance of defeating Germany, putting pressure on the government. Tsar Personally blamed for defeats. Humiliated and criticised for the mistakes made by Tsarina and Rasputin – and the general scandal surrounding them. The Economy Lower wages and higher prices; shortage of goods – much of this had to do with the trains being used of for the war effort, rather than to supply the cities. Serious fuel shortages by the end of Men called up to the army created problems in both industry and agriculture.

Society High prices, shortages, overcrowding, discontent in the cities. Short on workers in the countryside – leading to shortages of food. Soldiers deserted from army due to defeats and lack of equipment, leading to chaos. Focus on war effort – leading to shortages of consumer goods. Severe winter of 1916 – 17 made shortages of food and fuel more serious.

Von Schlieffen The Schlieffen Plan Was based around Germany’s ability to mobilise faster than Russia. Von Schlieffen calculated that it would take Germany..…. Germany was able to do this because it had a superior railways system. 15 days to mobilize Whereas it would take Russia..…. 110 days to mobilize To ensure Germany didn’t invade again, France did two important things; 1. It allied itself with Russia. 2. In 1912, it financed a five-year development of the Russian transport system to enable it to mobilize faster. This meant Russia could, if needed, come to France’s aid quicker.

This would mean Germany would no longer be in a position to attack France without also having to face a quickly mobilized Russian army. 18 days to mobilize The German’s calculated that by 1917 it would only take Russia..…. Wanting to protect its interests in the Balkans region, the Tsar amassed troops along the border of both Austria-Hungary and its ally Germany. Germany reacted by sending an ultimatum demanding Russia demobilize in 12 hours. When Russia refused Germany declared war on Russia, August 1 st and then two days later on France. The Manipulators of Money Bolsheviks believed that German financiers wanted the Russian Empire crush so they could further their own interests by exploiting its natural resources, gold, oil, farm land. The Assassination of Franz-Ferdinand The Archduke was heir to the Austria-Hungary throne. When Serbia rejected claims of complicity in the assassination Austria-Hungary used it as an excuse to invade in Lenin Wrote that it was…..’a war to decide whether the British or German group of financial plunderers is to receive most riches.’

The ‘Steamroller’ Stalls The Russian army was so big, 5 million men including reservists, it was nicknamed the ‘steamroller.’ But a combination of..….  Poor leadership  Inadequate and insufficient equipment Poor military strategy   Inadequate support and supplies Resulted in some..…. Major Military Defeats 1914 The Tsar appointed his uncle, the Grand Duke Nicholas as Commander-in-Chief. He was ill-equipped for this position. They moved so fast they isolated themselves from their support and supplies. Men were flung into the firing line without rifles, armed only with a sword-bayonet in one hand and a bomb in the other. They lacked food and clothing. Russia suffered horrific military defeats. In the battle of Tannenberg 130,000 Russian soldiers were either killed or injured and a further 100,000 captured. In the battle of the Masurian Lakes a further 100,000 Russian soldiers were killed, injured or captured. German Counter-Attack 1915 By July 1915 the Russian armies were not only pushed out of Poland and Galatia, but the German and Austria-Hungarian armies had control of 13% of Russia’s Empire-16 million people. By 1918 even Petrograd (St Petersburg) and Moscow were under threat.

The Tsar Becomes Commander-in Chief The Role of Rasputin Concerned at Russian military defeats, Tsar replaced his uncle as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian in August This left the Tsarina, Alexandra in charge of the government in Petrograd. Alexandra’s handling of the government was to be a key factor in bringing about the revolutionary activities of This was a mistake for two reasons….  The Tsar would now be blamed for military failures  The Tsarina was unpopular because of her German heritage. There were only two people the Tsarina trusted, Nicholas and Rasputin. Rasputin seems to have had a major influence on Alexandra. For additional information read Russia and the USSR, Empire of Revolution, pages 38-39, or Ruling Russia, pages 13 &15. Her reliance on Rasputin did not make for good government and created even more suspicion, particularly among patriotic conservatives. In December 1916, they took matters into their own hands when a small group of nobles assassinated Rasputin. An Okrana Report on The Tsarina We must note together with this feeling of extreme disrespect for the person of Her Majesty the Empress Alexandra Fedorovana the widespread feeling against her as a ‘German.” Her Majesty is regarded, even in intellectual circles, as the inspirer and leader of the campaign for a separate peace with Germany.