Impact of World War I on Russia up to Feb 1917

Social causes and effects - * People could not afford the basics such as firewood and bread, people died of starvation and of natural causes such as the weather. They suffered a winter falling below -30 degrees. * The price of living increased and wages were increasing as well but not enough. * Closure of factories led to unemployment and even more poverty. * Food was not able to reach towns and cities due to Russia’s terrible transport system.

Political causes and effects - * Tsarina Alexandra - War weakened the position of the Tsar; he left Alexandra in charge with Rasputin. The people hated Alexandra as she was German and she refused to listen to the Duma, which frustrated them. She and Rasputin further alienated the Tsar from his people. * Lack of infrastructure in the government - Alexandra continuously dismissed capable ministers and replaced them with Rasputin’s friends, who could not do a thing. This meant nobody in the government was taking care of the supplies such as food and fuel and it was not reaching the people. * Rasputin - Rasputin rose to power even more when the Tsar left for the war front, he influenced Alexandra’s decisions on all aspects of policy.

Military causes and effects - * Deaths - Russia suffered horrific defeats at the battles of Tannenberg and Masurian Lakes. A million men were killed in the first 5 months of war. This was due to poor communication and lack of infrastructure. * Loss of land - By the end of 1914, Russia lost a large portion of it’s land including Poland and Lithuania. * Lack of supplies - Not enough rifles or ammunition. Soldiers had to wait until their comrades died so they could take their guns. They didn’t have warm clothes either and the winters in Eastern Europe were harsh. * Low morale - Soldiers began to desert or refuse to fight even though the penalty was death. Many shot their own officers. * Tsar leadership - Tsar Nicholas II went out to lead the troops, he had no military experience and it made no difference to the war effort.

Economic causes and effects - * Inflation increased - there were seven price rises between 1913 and 1917. Less food being produced due to lack of labour and horses, 14 million men were called to serve in the war and the demand for horses was high. This encouraged higher food prices. * Lack of supplies - There was a lack of coal, iron and steel, without metal, factories could not produce bullets or bombs for the troops at war. This lead to unemployment. * Lack of workers - 14 million men had been sent to war, there were not enough people to produce enough food for everyone. * Transportation - Russia’s railways were not prepared for increased demands of war. Could not supply the industries with the materials they needed.

Bibliography

Proctor, H. 1995, Ruling Russia, Longman, Australia

Waugh, S. Wright, J. 2006, The Russian Revolution and Soviet Union 1910-91, Hodder Education, United Kingdom

Trueman, C, 2010, Russia and World War One, History Learning Site,
Date accessed - 2 April, 2013 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/russia_and_world_war_one.htm Cowper, H, 2012, WORLD WAR ONE AND THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION, John D Clare.
Date accessed - 2 April 2013
http://www.johndclare.net/Russ_Rev_Emsleyand%20Englander.htm