World War One

Steps to revolution

The impact of the First World War

• Played major role in bringing down the regime in Feb 1917.

• Key ways it did this…

– Military failures

– Difficult living conditions

– Role of the Tsarina & Rasputin

– Failure to make political reforms

Impact of the First

World War

Military defeats Economic problems

Hunger & discontent

Social changes

Criticism of the Tsarina

Criticism of the Tsar

Outbreak of war

• As protector of Serbia…

• Initially, the Tsar became more popular than he had been for years.

– People united in support for Tsar & against common enemy.

• Tsar started to work more closely with Duma.

Effects of the war on the soldiers

• Enthusiasm did not last long. • Some initial successes, then heavy defeats against the

Germans– Tannenburg & Masurian Lakes

• Losses mounted quickly– By end of 1914 over 1 million soldiers killed, wounded or taken

prisoner– 8 million by March 1917.

• Soldiers saw slaughter as futile– Many died without weapons or ammunition– Some did not even have boots– Blamed officers– Things got worse as war went on.

Effects of the war on the Russians at home

• Food shortages– Millions of male peasants conscripted.– Food not getting to the cities.

• Railways used for war.

• Coal & industrial materials were short.– Many factories closed = workers unemployed.– Lack of coal = people cold as well as hungry.

• Shortages = prices rose– However, wages not going up.– Workers asked to work longer hours. – Sale of vodka stopped during the war.

• Factories closed = more unemployment & poverty.

Effects of the war on the Russians at home

• As defeats mounted & casualties increased, Russians in the cities began to lose confidence in govt.

• Also suffering from economic effects of the war.

A turning point…• Sept 1915, Tsar decided to take over running of the war & go to the

front himself.– Terrible mistake which had serious consequences.

• Firstly, Nicholas himself now blamed for defeats.• Secondly, Tsar hand over day-to-day running of country to the Tsarina.

– People mistrusted her because of German background. – Her reputation suffered also because of close relationship with Rasputin.

• He seemed to be charged of govt. • Stories = they were lovers.

– Tsarina made a mess of running the country.• Did not work with Duma at all.• Dismissed able ministers & replaced them with ‘our men’ (friends who would do

what they were told or friends of Rasputin.– Many incompetent.

• So many changes of ministers = no one organising food, fuel & other supplies for cities properly.

• Railway city fell into chaos & trainloads of food were left rotting.

Conditions worsen• As news from front got worse & worse & situation in

cities became more desperate, support for Tsar & his wife ↓ among middle & upper classes, even among aristocracy.– Appalled re: Rasputin’s influence.

– Little respect for Tsarina.

• Winter of 1916 = bad one – conditions in cities terrible

• Rasputin was murdered by Prince Yusupov– Hoped it would help the monarchy

…

The February Revolution

1917

Winter 1917

• Exceptionally cold = bad conditions made worse.

– Trains could not run = acute shortages of food and fuel

– The Russian people hungry & cold

• February 22 – 20,000 steel workers locked out after breakdown of pay talks. Other workers strike in support.

• Feb 23 – International Women’s Day –thousands demonstrate in Petrograd calling for bread. More workers come out on strike.

• Feb 24 – Large crowds repeatedly dispersed by police & soldiers.

• Feb 25 – 250,000 workers, >half pop. on strike – Petrograd paralysed. Tsar orders army to end disturbances.

• Feb 26 – troops fire on crowds – killed >40. President of Duma advises Tsar form new govt. Tsar orders Duma stop meeting.

• Feb 27 – Soldiers mutiny – refuse to fire on crowds & join the strikers. Duma sets up Provisional Government. Soldiers, sailors & workers form Petrograd Soviet.

• Feb 28 – Tsar sets out to return to Petrograd.

• March 1 – Generals tell Tsar army no longer supports him.

• March 2 – Tsar Nicholas abdicates in favour of his brother, Grand Duke Michael.

Decree of Abdication

In the days of the great struggle against the foreign enemies, who for nearly three years have tried to enslave our fatherland, the Lord God has been pleased to send down on Russia a new heavy trial.

Internal popular disturbances threaten to have a disastrous effect on the future conduct of this persistent war. The destiny of Russia, the honour of our heroic army, the welfare of the people and the whole future of our dear fatherland demand that the war should be brought to a victorious conclusion whatever the cost.

The cruel enemy is making his last efforts, and already the hour approaches when our glorious army together with our gallant allies will crush him. In these decisive days in the life of Russia, We thought it Our duty of conscience to facilitate for Our people the closest union possible and a consolidation of all national forces for the speedy attainment of victory.

In agreement with the Imperial Duma We have thought it well to renounce the Throne of the Russian Empire and to lay down the supreme power. As We do not wish to part from Our beloved son, We transmit the succession to Our brother, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, and give Him Our blessing to mount the Throne of the Russian Empire.

We direct Our brother to conduct the affairs of state in full and inviolable union with the representatives of the people in the legislative bodies on those principles which will be established by them, and on which He will take an inviolable oath.

In the name of Our dearly beloved homeland, We call on Our faithful sons of the fatherland to fulfil their sacred duty to the fatherland, to obey the Tsar in the heavy moment of national trials, and to help Him, together with the representatives of the people, to guide the Russian Empire on the road to victory, welfare, and glory.

May the Lord God help Russia!

(SIGNED)

NICHOLAS II

• March 3 – Grand Duke Michael refuses to become Tsar.

END OF THE ROMANOV DYNASTY

‘The Last Tsar’ – 7.30 min