Impact of WWI Flashcards
what were the main 5 issues with the war
heavy losses poor leadership role of the tsar situation at home failure to make political reforms
two examples of heavy losses
august 1914 - battle of tannenberg
September 1914 - battle at the masurian lakes
what was wrong with the leadership
officers were appointed by their loyalty to the tsar and not by there ability to actually lead
what was the issue with equipment
it was often available, but due to the struggles with the rail network, it was not where it needed to be
eg. rifles, ammunition, boots
how did the soldiers feel about the leadership
left morale very low due to the incompetence of officers and lack of regard for their welfare
when did the tsar take direct control over the army
august 1915
what did the tsar taking control of the army mean
he became personally responsible for the conduct of war, and if things went badly, he would personally have to take the blame
what was the issue with the tsar taking control of the army
he was away from Petrograd for long periods of time leaving the tsarina and Rasputin in charge of the government
example of instability in the government
constant change in ministers
eg. the war minister, Polivanov was rebuilding the army and supply system, yet was discharged in 1915
incompetent people were appointed under the tsarina’s control as they either flattered her or were recommended by Rasputin
what was the situation at home like
food / fuel shortages due to issues with the railways
people cold an hungry
factories closed down due to a lack of fuel - people left unemployed
huge inflation of prices
peasants were angry about the millions of deaths due to conscription of all young men
engineers were demanded to fight in the war- no one to operate railways
what did the tsars failure to make political reforms mean
he had the chance of making some concessions that could have saved him
rejected the idea of a constitutional monarchy which would have lessened pressure
rejected ideas of a progressive bloc
he chose to stick with autocracy and paid the price
how did revolution occur
tsar ordered his troops to put down trouble in pterograd
one by one, regiments moved to the side of the people
death toll at around 1500
tsar lost control of the army, so lost control of Russia
