The Russian Revolution AOS1 - Revolutionary ideas, leaders, movements and events The Great War

How strong was Russia by 1913? Politically: -Tsar Nicholas II’s position had stabilised, ruling in conjunction with a conservative Duma AND Stolypin’s reforms? Economically: -Enormous progress between 1906 – National debt reduced with highest growth rate in Europe -Savings had increased and exports doubled -Govt. Expenditure and income doubled, but still behind France, Germany and Britain Socially: - Small group of peasant landowners, large industrial workforce and wealthy commercial class

The Great War: The beginning of another Crisis

Causes of the Great War: Recapping Economic Britain, France, Germany Economic Britain, France, Germany Colonial Rivalries (France, Britain, Germany) Colonial Rivalries (France, Britain, Germany) Naval Rivalry (Britain and Germany) Naval Rivalry (Britain and Germany) Rivalry over the Balkans Serbia (Russian ally) seeking expansion into Austria (German Ally). Growing arms race on both sides Heir to Austro-Hungarian throne Franz Ferdinand II assassinated by Serbian student Russia refused demands to demobilise troops and Germany declare war on Russia August

What was the response to outbreak of war in Russia? PUBLIC SUPPORTDURNOVO’S WARNINGSLENIN’S CONDEMNATION Nationalism kicks in: political and economic problems less of a focus War repaired growing division between the Tsar and his people Seemed to lesson likelihood of Revolution Regardless of outcome, war would irreparably damage Russia Agrarian troubles: compensation of land that may need to be given to soldiers Labour troubles: Increased wages during war time would later have to decrease, resulting in social discontent Felt Germany may win, and therefore foresaw the social anarchy that would follow Wealthy bourgeois manipulating proletariat for their gains Called for Russian socialists to go to war not to fight, but to persuade German workers to revolt and turn both countries into a republic

The Great War: Death on the Eastern Front Russia soldiers battled the Austro-Hungarians and Germans on the ‘Eastern Front’ where they suffered devastating defeats Battle of Tannenberg (August ): 130,000 casualties and 100,000 POWs Battle of Masurian Lakes (2 September 1914): Whole army unit forced to surrender Russians lost over 4 million in the first year of war, and 16 million people in the region were captured by enemy forces The ‘glory of war’ discourse soon faded

The Great War: Why did the Russian Army suffer so many defeats? Largest army in the world (more soldiers than Austria and Austria-Hungary combined) Majority untrained, conscripted soldiers with little training Poor military leadership

The Great War: Why did the Russian Army suffer so many defeats? Lack of ammunition: -Lack of riffles -Used bayonets, thinking they could storm trenches and engage in hand to hand combat: No match for modern machine guns

The Great War: Why did the Russian Army suffer so many defeats? Poor internal organisation: -Due to poor rail system, supplies were late in being delivered and troops went hungry (e.g: Meat and grain from Ukraine) -Skilled men fighting meant trains were without adequate mechanics and drivers

The Great War: Why did the Russian Army suffer so many defeats? Demoralisation within the Army: -1916: 1.2 million POWS to 270,000 killed -1917: 900,000 POWs to 58,000 killed -Moyahan argues this evidence reveals Russian solders preference to be captured rather tan to fight for the Fatherland

The Great War: Why did the Russian Army suffer so many defeats? Impact of Socialist Propaganda: -Bolshevik propaganda became more widely accepted (think POWs) -Prompted whole companies to injure themselves to avoid fighting in war -Generally encourage idea that soldiers were the proletariat fighting for a cause that subjugated them

Remembering why did the Russian Army suffered so many defeats The Russian’s “PAID” for the Great War I Poor Internal Organisation P Propaganda of Socialists A Lack of Ammunition D Demoralisation of army -In creased Bolsheviks propaganda wares down ‘glory of war’ propaganda -Prompted whole companies to injure themselves to get our of war -Encourage idea that soldiers were the proletariat fighting for a cause that subjugated them -Lack of riffles -Used bayonets, thinking they could storm trenches and engage in hand to hand combat: No match for modern machine guns -Due to poor rail system, supplies were late in being delivered and troops went hungry (e.g: Meat and grain from Ukraine) -Skilled men fighting meant trains were without adequate mechanics and drivers -1916: 1.2 million POWS to 270,000 killed -1917: 900,000 POWs to 58,000 killed -Moyahan argues this evidence reveals Russian solders preference to be captured rather tan to fight for the Fatherland

The Great War: Just when it seems things can’t get any worse Tsar Nicholas II appoints himself commanders of the Russian army (august 1915). In doing this he: -Abandoned Petrograd (St. Petersburg) -Symbolically abandoned Russian people during a time of economic and social crisis -The ongoing defeats of the Russians are now directly the fault of the Tsar in the eyes of the Russian people

The Great War: Just when it seems things can’t get any worse The inexperienced Tsarina Alexandra was left in charge of the country: -Under influence of Rasputin, she attempts to maintain autocratic rule -She is of German descent, and conspiracies theories abound that she favouring pro-German policy

Summary: During the years of the Dumas (1906 – 1917), Stolypin’s reforms attempted to restructure agrarian Russia and create a class of peasants loyal to the Tsar Social, economic and political growth occurred during this time The outbreak of WW1 was met with enthusiasm, shadowing the problems occurring in the country Devastating losses in the war soon to significant discontent on the front and at home Tsar Nicholas’ decision to command the army further undermined people’s belief in him and left the Tsarina in control of the country