Russia and WWI

Question 1

Weaknesses were highlighted by the war. Externally they looked like a force to be reckoned with, but internally its military, society and government were falling apart. The war highlighted weaknesses in Russia’s government and society which contributed to the downfall of the Tsar…

Answer 1

• Armed forces
• Transport
• The Economy
• Nicholas and Alexandra
• Political opposition

Question 2

(Armed forces) Initial enthusiasm for the war was shattered by…

Answer 2

2 early defeats at Tannenburg and the Masaurian Lakes 1914

Question 3

(Armed forces) The armed forces became demoralised and undisciplined for many reasons:

Answer 3

• Poor conditions
• Insufficient food supplies
• Lack of rifles and ammunition
• Military hospitals often filthy
• Insufficient medical supplies
• Military command structure was inefficient (officers chose because of their SOCIAL POSITION rather than their MILITARY ABILITIES)

Question 4

(Transport) The railway system transported troops and military equipment - the needs of the army took priority.
The railways were…

Answer 4

overloaded in peacetime and by 1919 the system had virtually collapsed

Question 5

(Transport) Armament factories were producing plenty of supplies but the state of the railways meant that they…

Answer 5

couldn’t be delivered: not enough food getting through

Question 6

1916 food shortages were widespread and many people i towns were left…

Answer 6

starving

Question 7

(Economy) in 1914 the government abandoned the gold standard, this left the government free to…

Answer 7

print as many bank notes as they wanted - INFLATION, wages could not keep up with rapidly rising prices

Question 8

(Economy) By 1916 peasants realised that because of inflation it wasn’t worth selling their grain, so they started …

Answer 8

hoarding it

Question 9

(Economy) Russia’s main ports for exporting good were blockaded, which added to the…

Answer 9

government’s economic difficulties

Question 10

(N+A) In september 1915, Nicholas II appointed himself?

Answer 10

Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, meaning he was away from Petrograd for long periods of time

Question 11

(N+A) Nicholas appointed Alexandra to supervise the government in his place, because she was German it was rumoured she was passing…

Answer 11

Military secrets to her German relatives

Question 12

(N+A) Alexandra constantly changed ministers, causing…

Answer 12

instability in the government

Question 13

Rasputin strongly influenced…

Answer 13

Alexandra

Question 14

The aristocracy and officials felt threatened by Rasputin’s…

Answer 14

importance at court and his power over the royal family

Question 15

(Political opposition) In 1914 most political parties supported the war effort and the Duma was…

Answer 15

suspended

Question 16

(PO)1915 failures in the war forced Nicholas to recall…

Answer 16

the Duma

Question 17

(PO) The recalled Duma repeated the demands of the 1st Duma…

Answer 17

A government which had NATIONAL SUPPORT and which would be ANSWERABLE TO THE DUMA

Question 18

(PO) Nicholas rejected the proposal of the Duma and the Duma parties united to form the..

Answer 18

Progressive Bloc, which continued to press for CHANGES in the running of the war

Question 19

(PO) 1915 Zemgor was formed to help with the war effort. It provided:

Answer 19

supplies for hospitals

helped to organise smaller industries in towns and villages

Question 20

(PO) Nicholas was suspicious of the PO and…

Answer 20

refused to work with it