1. Why was there a revolution in Feb 1917?
Read Culpin p66

3. What was the impact of the First World War on Russia?
Lesson outcomes:
To consider why Russia entered the war
To analyse the successes and failures of WWI
To weigh up the impact of WWI on Russia

4. Russia joined WWI on the side of France and Britain.
They were fighting against an alliance of Germany, Austria Hungary and later Italy
Russia joined the war due to an obligation to protect Serbia, a fellow Slavic nation, who faced an ultimatum of war from Austria-Hungary (backed up by Germany)
At first, the war led to a wave of patriotism, and internal divisions were temporarily forgotten. Crowds went on processions, singing the national anthem and carrying paintings of the Tsar.
This support increased as the Russians enjoyed some early military successes, entering East Prussia and overrunning Austro Hungarian Galicia
The Times wrote: ‘The people and their Tsar were one; and the strength that unity spreads in a nation spread throughout the empire.
However, by 1917, the Russians faced military defeat and the Tsar abdicated:

5. 1. Before cutting them up, fill in the gaps in the cards with page of Murphy. 2. Cut up the cards and sort them into evidence that: a) the war was a total disaster for Russia b) the war was not a total disaster for Russia 3. Explain which of the problems could have been seen as the Tsar’s fault

6. 1. The Russian Army’s advance was stopped at Tanneburg, which was a crushing defeat. At the battle….
The Russians also faced humiliating defeats against the Germans at the Maurian Lakes. By Autumn of 1915, following a strong German offensive, the Russians had been driven out of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
2. In 1915, the Tsar appointed himself as Commander in Chief.
This was a clever/disastrous decision because….
3. The Brusilov Offensive was launched by the Russian army (now led by Nicholas) in June Over half the Austro-Hungarian Army was captured or killed.
4. By August 1916, the Brusilov offensive faltered. The Russian army was forced to…..
The retreat led to….
By Christmas 1916, the Russian army…
5. The Russian Army was very poorly led. Apart from the skilled General Brusilov, the quality of Generals at the top was very poor. They had mostly been appointed because they were loyal to the Tsar, not because of their military skill Some had little or no fighting experience. There was no clear structure of command.
6. The Russian economy was actually capable of performing well. For example……
7. The Soldiers often had no boots or weapons. There was such a severe shortage of supplies that the soldiers had to resort to picking up weapons and bullets from their dead comrades. This was largely due to…..
8. The morale of the soldiers was lowered by the fact that care for wounded soldiers was awful. The generals did not seem to care about the welfare of their men, and as a result thousands of soldiers deserted.
By Christmas, the total number of casualties was:
9. However, some historians have suggested that the war was not the total disaster it seemed. Norman Stone points out that the Russians made a significant contribution to the Allied war effort. They diverted German troops from the Western Front. In 1916 Brusilov saved the French a Verdun, because the Germans had to pull out 35 divisions to fight the Russians. Stone also suggests that the army was not in fact on the verge of defeat in 1917, and was still intact as a fighting force.

7. ‘A total disaster.’ How accurate is this assessment of Russia’s involvement in WW1?
Totally inaccurate
Totally accurate

8. Impact on the Home front:
Copy:
Impact on the Home front:
1914: Moscow received 2200 railway wagons of food. Only 300 in 1916
Impact on Railways
Lack of Grain and Food
1917: Moscow received only 48% of grain requirements
WWI
Working Conditions
Rising Prices
Government Debt
Population in Petrograd rose from 2.1 million to 2.7 million
1917: Inflation 200%
Ban on sale of vodka reduced government revenue. Debt quadrupled and they had to take out more foreign loans

9. Murphy p45-6
The poor organisation of the war effort resulted in the emergence of other organisations who wanted a bigger role in the planning of the war effort:
The Zemstva and Zemgor
2. The War Industries Committees
3. Why were these a threat to the Tsar’s authority?
2. The Progressive Bloc:
Who are they?
What do they want?
What did the Tsar say
What was their response?
Why is it a threat to the Tsar’s authority?
Murphy p45-6

10. 2. The government had no clear leadership. This meant that:
Amongst all this, remember that the Tsar decided in 1915 that he wanted to lead the army himself. This meant that while he was busy being a pretty incompetent Commander in Chief……
1. All of the army’s military failures could be blamed directly on him.
2. The government had no clear leadership. This meant that:
The running of the country was left to the German Tsarina Alexandra. This left it open to influence from her unofficial adviser Rasputin. They were both deeply unpopular and viewed with suspicion

11. Who are the characters in this cartoon
Who are the characters in this cartoon? What message is the artist trying to convey? Clue – focus on the eyes .

12. What 'type' of person do you think he is?
In a recent documentary he was described as one of the most evil men in history. What could Rasputin have done to deserve this reputation?

13. Does this slide add to your understanding?
Why would the Tsar dislike this image? Could the image cause any problems for the Tsar?
Watch 20min video and complete the worksheet
min History Channel doc
Reproduced with the kind permission of the David King Collection, London

15. What do these sources suggest about people’s respect for he Tsar and Tsarina during this period?

16. 1. There lived a certain man in Russia long ago He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow Most people looked at him with terror and with fear But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear He could preach the bible like a preacher Full of ecstasy and fire But he also was the kind of teacher Women would desire RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen There was a cat that really was gone RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine It was a shame how he carried on
2. He ruled the Russian land and never mind the Tsar But the kasachok he danced really wunderbar In all affairs of state he was the man to please But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze For the queen he was no wheeler dealer Though she'd heard the things he'd done She believed he was a holy healer Who would heal her son
CHORUS
3. But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger for power became known to more and more people, the demands to do something about this outrageous man became louder and louder. 4. "This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please" No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms Then one night some men of higher standing Set a trap, they're not to blame "Come to visit us" they kept demanding And he really came RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen They put some poison into his wine RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine He drank it all and said "I feel fine" RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen They didn't quit, they wanted his head RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine And so they shot him till he was dead (Spoken:) Oh, those Russians... 

17. Use page 72-3 of Culpin and page 46 of Murphy to create your own
Religious man
Alexei’s healer
Society women flock to him to gain a better position for husbands
Poisoned by Prince Yusupov
Undermines trust in the Tsar and the monarchy
Tsar got into lots of arguments about him
Increasingly public anger directed at him
Nicholas cannot heal the damage he causes
Use page 72-3 of Culpin and page 46 of Murphy to create your own

18. Article to support this lesson
Was Russia ready for the WW1 – Sarah Ward
History Review – April 2014
Task 1:
Highlight the following using 2 different colours.
Events that helped Russia to be prepared for the WW1
Events which hindered Russia
Task 2: Consider the following question:
To what extent was Russia prepared for WW1 by Aug 1914?
Construct a plan to answer this question using the article and any other research that you have done. You should think about the following when planning your answer.
Identifying themes for your answer – for example, ‘economic preparedness’.
Find evidence to support your themes – for example Witte’s Great Spurt.
Place your themes on a scale – very prepared to not at all prepared.
Write your conclusion

19. The role of Rasputin
Rasputin was a holy man who had a special relationship with the Tsarina for his ability to help her son with his haemophilia
Rasputin had a reputation for having slept with many high society ladies, including the wives of important courtiers
His behaviour made him hated and distrusted by many officials, but they could not get rid of him due to his special relationship with the Tsar and Tsarina
She later became Alexandra’s confidante, and when Nichols II left for the front, Alexandra and Rasputin largely took over running the government
Resentment form the monarchy grew as it was left to the ‘mad monk’ and Alexandra II. People did not approve of their influence over ministerial appointments
Despite Alexandra’s conversion to Orthodox religion, she was still portrayed as a German spy by her due to her German roots
In 1916 Rasputin was murdered. He was poisoned, shot, battered over the head. He survived. He was rolled up in a curtain and thrown into the river Neva, which finally killed him.

20. Political Impact of the War:
Progressive Bloc
Role of the Tsarina
WWI
ZEMGOR
Extra: was russia ready for ww1 article mod hist review april 2014 with task
Actions of Tsar
Role of Rasputin
Read Murphy p45-47 and complete the spider diagram

21.  Your task
Read about the long-term causes of the February Revolution and create a spider diagram to record the main causes.
Military failures p.43-45
Political tensions (p.45-6)
Rasputin (p.46-7)
Domestic problems (Home front) p.45
Write a judgement paragraph explaining what you think was the most important at the bottom
Maybe do this in 1917 lesson

22. What are the key words in the question? What is it asking you?
“Russia was in crisis by the end of 1916 due to her poor military performance in WWI” How far do you agree?
What are the key words in the question? What is it asking you?

23. “Russia was in crisis by the end of 1916 due to her poor military performance in WWI” How far do you agree?
Paragraphs: -Russia’s military performance -The impact of war on the economy -The role of the Tsar, Tsarina and Rasputin -Political opposition
With your learning partner, order the paragraphs from most to least importance.
You have 4 minutes – be prepared to justify your decision
CHALLENGE – can you see links between paragraphs?

24. “Russia was in crisis by the end of 1916 due to her poor military performance in WWI” How far do you agree?
Paragraphs: -Russia’s military performance -The impact of war on the economy -The role of the Tsar, Tsarina and Rasputin -Political opposition
Your task:
Plan your answer briefly – what points will you put in each para? How will you link paras?
Write an intro and conclusion for this essay
Choose one paragraph to write up
CHALLENGE – be an evidence spy! Ask to see someone else’s work and highlight in one colour where their evidence is precise and another colour where it needs to be more precise

25. So what went wrong for the Tsar?
Political Impact of the War
Military Defeats
Economic Impact at Home
The Tsarina and Rasputin
min docu clip

26. Homework
Choose another paragraph to write up for this essay

27. Notes In pairs, use Murphy, p.43-5:
Pick one person to make a list of Russian successes in WW1 and one person to make a list of Russian defeats. (10 mins)
Swap and exchange notes (5 mins)
If you’ve got time, decide which event you think was the turning point in Russia’s WW1. Make sure you justify why you think this, using evidence.
Successes Failures

28. The early events of war 1913-1916 National Budget rises eightfold
August 1914 War breaks out
1914 Moscow receives 2200 railway wagons worth of food a month
1915 Battle of Tannenburg
June 1915 the Zemstva and town dumas formed ZEMGOR
June 1915 Progressive Bloc formed
July 1915 The Gorlice-Tarnov Offensive
July 1915 Central War Industries Committee created
Sept 1915 Loss of Poland
June to August 1916 Brusilov offensive
Sept million Russian shells produced
Dec 1916 Russian army faced shortages
Dec 1916 Moscow receives 300 wagons worth of food a month
Dec million Russian soldiers dead
Dec million men had fought
Dec 1916 Rasputin murdered