Alevel History (Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964) essay on 'In the context of , how important was the First World War in explaining the Tsar’s decision to abdicate in February/March 1917?'
In the context of 1894-1917, how important was the First World War in explaining the
Tsar’s decision to abdicate in February/March 1917?
A number of factors can be argued to have resulted in the Tsar’s abdication because it is
evident that the war was not solely the cause. Popular discontent had been building for a
while and the Tsar had proved himself prior the war to be an incompetent leader, which
was further, emphasised by his actions during the war. However, arguably, the Tsarist
regime may have survived if not for the war as it was a significant catalyst that ultimately
lead to the Tsar’s downfall.
It can be argued that military defeat was probably crucial to the Tsar’s abdication. It can be
questioned as to if the war had been more successful, morale would have been higher and
therefore people may have dealt with the hardships better? Evidently the heavy defeats at
Tannenburg (August 1914) and the Masurian Lakes (September 1914) reignited discontent
and by the end of 1914, there were disputes over the organisation of the war effort.
Significantly, the Tsar’s decision to appoint himself Commander-in-Chief of the Russian
Army and Navy can be seen as a critical mistake as this meant he was even further distanced
from developments in Petrograd and open to blame for all military failures. Moreover, the
war had a disastrous economic and social effect as it highlighted Russia’s military weakness
and exposed its economic backwardness. Military spending rose as the war progressed;
production declined and by 1916 Russia was barely receiving 1/3 of fuel and food it
required. In addition to this naval blockades of the Baltic and Black sea and the loss of
overland routes severely damaged trade and railways were requisitioned for the troops
meaning foodstuffs were often unable to reach cities and thousands nearly starved.
Therefore, the war can be seen as an important factor to fuelling the discontent in Russia,
clearly evident in the escalated strike activity in Moscow and Petrograd (January 1917). It
was clear that by 1917 the economy could not cope with the requirements of total war and
the breakdown of transport systems and failure to feed towns significantly contributed to
the tsar’s abdication. For that reason the pressures that the war imposed on the Russian
empire and Tsarist regime were ultimately the decisive factor.
However, it is also important to mention… (preview ends)
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