From War to Revolution 1914-1917
Russia’s entry into the war 1914:
• They were reluctant to enter the war after suffering a loss in the Russo-Japanese war, and
their foreign policy up until this point had been mainly defence based
• They entered the war as it was their duty to protect the Slavs
• They joined in the triple entente with Britain and France against Germany and the Austro-
Hungarian Empire
• Russia hoped that if they mobilised they would deter Austria and they could avoid the war
• They could mobilise partially by planning campaigns in the Balkans against the Austro-
Hungarian Empire, however they would be left defenceless if Germany were to attack
• They could mobilise fully by planning a full scale war against the central powers, but this
could be seen as provoking Germany
• Both plans depended on specific railway timetabling, so one would rule out the other
• If Russia mobilised, Germany would have to go to war as they followed the Schlieffen
plan, which planned to tackle France and then go to war with Russia
• When Nicholas II signed the decree for full mobilisation in July 1914, Germany demanded
they cease fire and then declared war on them
The impact of the war on Russia:
• The army requisitioned horses, making it hard for farmers to plant and harvest crops,
leading to food shortages
• Most of the available food was sent to the frontlines, meaning that there was little left for
ordinary people
• There was constant hunger, and peasants couldn’t afford food due to inflation
• Government spending rose from 4 million to 30 million, and as they needed more money,
they increased taxes, borrowed from abroad and printed more money, leading to inflation
• Wages rose by 100% while the price of good rose by 300%
• Increased malnutrition due to food shortages and poor living conditions
• They had a weak transportation system which was under a lot of pressure, and was unable
to transport food so it would pile up at stations
• People had 1/3 of the food they had before
• Although they had one of the biggest armies, it was poorly equipped and suffered from the
poor transport system, with poor cooperation between departments
• Many troops deserted after the Brusilov offensive, where advances made were not
advanced or followed up
• Prohibition was introduced in 1914, but repealed ion 1916 as the government was losing
too much money from alcohol taxes
• By Christmas, 1.6 million were dead and 3.9 million wounded
• Nicholas was a poor military leader with little interest and no experience, and after taking
control of the army in 1915, the outcome would rest solely on him
The growth of opposition:
• Rasputin was a poor, self ordained holy man born into poverty
• He arrived in St Petersburg in 1903 and was summoned to heal the Tsar’s son of his
haemophilia in 1916
Russia’s entry into the war 1914:
• They were reluctant to enter the war after suffering a loss in the Russo-Japanese war, and
their foreign policy up until this point had been mainly defence based
• They entered the war as it was their duty to protect the Slavs
• They joined in the triple entente with Britain and France against Germany and the Austro-
Hungarian Empire
• Russia hoped that if they mobilised they would deter Austria and they could avoid the war
• They could mobilise partially by planning campaigns in the Balkans against the Austro-
Hungarian Empire, however they would be left defenceless if Germany were to attack
• They could mobilise fully by planning a full scale war against the central powers, but this
could be seen as provoking Germany
• Both plans depended on specific railway timetabling, so one would rule out the other
• If Russia mobilised, Germany would have to go to war as they followed the Schlieffen
plan, which planned to tackle France and then go to war with Russia
• When Nicholas II signed the decree for full mobilisation in July 1914, Germany demanded
they cease fire and then declared war on them
The impact of the war on Russia:
• The army requisitioned horses, making it hard for farmers to plant and harvest crops,
leading to food shortages
• Most of the available food was sent to the frontlines, meaning that there was little left for
ordinary people
• There was constant hunger, and peasants couldn’t afford food due to inflation
• Government spending rose from 4 million to 30 million, and as they needed more money,
they increased taxes, borrowed from abroad and printed more money, leading to inflation
• Wages rose by 100% while the price of good rose by 300%
• Increased malnutrition due to food shortages and poor living conditions
• They had a weak transportation system which was under a lot of pressure, and was unable
to transport food so it would pile up at stations
• People had 1/3 of the food they had before
• Although they had one of the biggest armies, it was poorly equipped and suffered from the
poor transport system, with poor cooperation between departments
• Many troops deserted after the Brusilov offensive, where advances made were not
advanced or followed up
• Prohibition was introduced in 1914, but repealed ion 1916 as the government was losing
too much money from alcohol taxes
• By Christmas, 1.6 million were dead and 3.9 million wounded
• Nicholas was a poor military leader with little interest and no experience, and after taking
control of the army in 1915, the outcome would rest solely on him
The growth of opposition:
• Rasputin was a poor, self ordained holy man born into poverty
• He arrived in St Petersburg in 1903 and was summoned to heal the Tsar’s son of his
haemophilia in 1916
