Chapter 11 - Political authoirty, opposition and the state of Russia in wartime Flashcards
(29 cards)
was the Tsars desicion to go to war in 1914 popular
originally yes, it was supported by anti-German sentiment
What happened in terms of strikes and extremists when the war started
strike activity ceased
extremists were imprisoned for lack of patriotism
What happened to the Duma at the start of WW1
it dissolved itself, saying that it didnt want to burden the country with ‘unnecessary politics’
what was the event that initially dampened national solidarity in WW1
Defeat at the hand of Russians in the Battle of Tannenburg in East Prussia
How many people were dead/wounded in the Battle of Tannenburg
300,000
And thousands were taken prisoner
Reports that increased discontent
reports of military incomptence inflamed the simmering discontent in the Russian capital
what was set up in July 1914 by the government (military)
military zones
within which all civilian authoirty was suspended and military assumed command
who opposed the military zones
the liberal zemstva
said the gov was insensitive to the needs of the people and believed that civilians were a major part of running the war.
what did the government prohibit the sale of at the end of 1914, which was resented
alcohol
vodka was regarded as a near essential, especially in hard times, and the government lost some valuable tax reveune from legal sales
what did the zemstva establish
a ‘Union od Zemstva’
to provide the medical facilities which the State seemed to neglect
what did the zemstva and municipial dumas join together to form and when
June 1915
The Zemgor
who chaired the Zemgor
Prince Lvov
What did the Zemgor want to do
It claimed the rights to help the Tsars government in the war effort, and it was never allowed any direct influence and soon turned into a liberal focus for discontent
What did Nicholas II think of the Zemgor
rather than working with the organisation, Nicholas blamed it for stirring up trouble
what did some of the deputies from the fourth Duma form and when
August 1915
‘Progressive bloc’
what did the progressive bloc want
That the Tsar change his ministers and establish a ‘government of public confidence’
what were the progressive bloc essentially demanding
a constituional monarchy, in which they would have a dominant voice
what decision did defeats in Galicia lead Nicholas to make
To take on the role of Commander-In-Chief of the Russian army and navy and to travel to the front line
why was Nicholas’ desicion to become Commander in Chief disastrous
it did nothing to help his cause
although it could be seen as bravery and heroism, Nicholas had already lost the support of the Russian Geneneral staff and did not possess the military experience to turn the war effort around
his position made him seem more responsible for the varying disasters that happened to his troops and the State
problems soldiers faced during the war
some were sent to fight without suitable weaponry
also lacked basic warm clothing and properly fitted, waterproof footwear
in 1914, the infantry had only two rifles for every three soldiers
in 1915, it wasnt unusual for soldiers to be limited to two or three shells per day
soldiers had to rely on weapons of fallen soldiers to fight at all
what were the winter months of 1915-16 like in Russian military
relativley quiet
allowed more time for training and production of ammunition
therefore by the time of the Brusilov offensive, most front line units had a reasonable complment of machine guns and artillery shells
when was the Brusilov offensive
June 1916
what was the Brusilov offensive - first part
a Russian attempt to push westwards and break through Austro-Hungarian lines.
Succeeded in destroying the Austro-Hungarian armies, which had to rely on German reinforcments
what was the Brusilov offensive - second part
within three months, it was stopped, as Germans - with their superior railway - were able to move men forward more quickly than the Russians
