Most Significant - Impact of the First World War
Series of defeats and increasing death toll
Focus on army meant there were more food shortages and lack of equipment
Reflected badly on Tsar Nicholas II as he'd taken personal command of the army in September 1915
People felt betrayed and angry at government.
Soldiers weren't loyal to the Tsar, mutinies = Tsar losing status and control. Russians wanted to change government. (Defections in the armed government and incompetence of Nicholas II too)
Took personal control of the army despite no military training (Incompetence of Nicholas II)
Rasputin began to run the government when Nicholas went to fight in frontline, anger amongst Russians built (Actions of Rasputin)
Bread had to be rationed as it was going to the army. Farmers were leaving farmland to fight = food shortages (Social and economic problems)
Defections in the Armed Forces
Soldiers unloyal to Tsar
Only 12,000 out of 180,000 members of the Imperial Guard could be relied upon
Without troops, Tsar couldn't combat revolution so admitted defeat
Incompetence of Nicholas II
Reigning at a difficult time in Russia
Came to throne young at 20, 'not prepared to be a Tsar'
Indecisive, conservative and responsible for many problems in Russia
Actions of Rasputin
Allies and aristocrats envious of time he spent with Tsar
Became influential, leader when Tsar was in frontline
Russians and ruling class disliked him and his power
Slide 2
continued
Social and Economic Problems
Inflation 1914-1916, people became poorer
Food shortages and rationing in 1917
Appalling living and working conditions
Strong division between rich and poor
More agriculture than industry, shortages of consumer goods
Anger amongst Russians, wanted to change the way Russia was governed
