1. Russia and WWI

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

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

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

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

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

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