1. Russia and WWI

2. Outbreak of War War greeted enthusiastically in Russia War greeted enthusiastically in Russia Tsar’s (czar) popularity rose (Nicholas II – Romanov dynasty) Tsar’s (czar) popularity rose (Nicholas II – Romanov dynasty) Bolsheviks (communists – Lenin) opposed war Bolsheviks (communists – Lenin) opposed war

3. Military Failures Huge Russian army suffered many defeats Huge Russian army suffered many defeats Badly equipped and poorly led by aristocratic officers Badly equipped and poorly led by aristocratic officers

4. The Tsar’s Role Nicholas controlled armed forces Nicholas controlled armed forces Held personally responsible for defeats Held personally responsible for defeats

5. The Tsarina and Rasputin Alexandra gained power in tsar’s absence Alexandra gained power in tsar’s absence Rasputin (monk) influenced her greatly Rasputin (monk) influenced her greatly Helped control son’s hemophilia Helped control son’s hemophilia Rumors about their relationship Rumors about their relationship

6. Poor Living Conditions War led to shortages of food and fuel; increase in prices War led to shortages of food and fuel; increase in prices Factories shut down (lack of raw materials) which led to unemployment Factories shut down (lack of raw materials) which led to unemployment Refuges from areas close to fighting led to overcrowded cities Refuges from areas close to fighting led to overcrowded cities Desperate situation at home Desperate situation at home

7. Failure to Reform Duma (Russian Parliament) wanted to improve the war effort Duma (Russian Parliament) wanted to improve the war effort Nicholas refused; war went badly Nicholas refused; war went badly Bolshevik Revolution – Lenin leads communists to power Bolshevik Revolution – Lenin leads communists to power Nicholas overthrown (family murdered) Nicholas overthrown (family murdered) Withdrew Russia from War Withdrew Russia from War