The impact of the first world war; political problems
- Created by: Tori
- Created on: 22-05-20 13:28
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- The impact of WW1; political problems
- The war led to major changes in Russian politics.
- Short term
- The vast majority of Russians united in a patriotic desire to win the war.
- Long term
- By 1915, ecnomic failure, military defeat and rumours about the royal family led to demands for reform.
- Short term
- Nicholas, Alexandra and Rasputin
- In August 1915, Russian armies retreated from Russian Poland.
- As a result of this disaster, the Tsar became commands-in-cheif of the army.
- With the Tsar on the front line, rumours circulated that the Tsarina Alexandra was running the government.
- This undermined faith in the government:
- The Tsarina had been born in Germany.
- Rumours circulated that she was a German agent.
- Indeed, during this period Boris Sturmer (a Russian citizen of German decent) was made head of government in this time period.
- Rumours circulated that she was a German agent.
- Rumours also suggested that the Tsar and Tsarina were under the influence of Rasputin.
- These rumours were damaging as Rasputin had a reputation as a drunk and a womaniser.
- Indeed, there were rumours that Rasputin was in a relationship with the Tsarina.
- These rumours were damaging as Rasputin had a reputation as a drunk and a womaniser.
- The Tsarina had been born in Germany.
- This undermined faith in the government:
- Ministerial leapfrog
- From the begining of 1916, government ministers were appointed and sacked with increasing frequency.
- This 'ministerial leapfrog' was blamed on the Tsarina and Rasputin, who were acused of giving jobs to their favourites.
- From the begining of 1916, government ministers were appointed and sacked with increasing frequency.
- The murder of Rasputin
- In December 1916, Prince Felix Yusupov, working with other aristocrats/ politicians, assasinated Rasputin.
- It was an attempt to stop rumours of scandal.
- However, the murder of Rasputin failed to change public opinion.
- It was an attempt to stop rumours of scandal.
- In December 1916, Prince Felix Yusupov, working with other aristocrats/ politicians, assasinated Rasputin.
- In August 1915, Russian armies retreated from Russian Poland.
- Zemgor
- An organisation that co-ordinated volentary support for the war effort.
- Zemgor comprised the Zemstvo Union, and the Union of Towns which represented local government across the country.
- It's work included:
- Production of uniforms, medicine and munitions.
- Distribution of food.
- Aid to refugees
- Medical care
- Organising military detachments (the Zemstvo Hussars).
- It's work included:
- Zemgor comprised the Zemstvo Union, and the Union of Towns which represented local government across the country.
- Headed by Prince Lvov (a member of the Kadets).
- Zemgor was efficient and well organised.
- However, its resources were limited.
- Therefore, the organisation only contributed 5% of the resources necessary to support the war effort.
- Zemgor's effectiveness compared favourably to the inefficiencies of the government's own wartime organisation.
- However, its resources were limited.
- Zemgor was efficient and well organised.
- The Progressive Bloc
- A political alliance of Duma duties, united by their desire for constitutional reform.
- As the Russian army was forces into the 'Great Retreat' of 1915 (in part due to the munitions crisis), pressure mounted on the Tsar to recall the Duma.
- In the summer of 1915, the Duma was recalled.
- The majority of Duma deputies (236 of 442) formed the Progressive Bloc.
- They demanded a 'government of confidence'.
- This would be a new government comprising leading members of the Duma, which could manage the war effort competently.
- They demanded a 'government of confidence'.
- The majority of Duma deputies (236 of 442) formed the Progressive Bloc.
- In the summer of 1915, the Duma was recalled.
- An organisation that co-ordinated volentary support for the war effort.
- The Tsar's responce
- The Tsar refused to collaborate with the Progressive Bloc and Zemgor.
- Nicholas believed that the Duma had no right to play a role in the government.
- The Tsar dismissed the Duma in September 1915, less than a month since it had been reassembled.
- Some within government also believed that Zemgor was a front for revolutionaries.
- Nicholas II's refusal to work with the Duma and the Zemgor weakened Russia's ability to organise the war effort.
- Withdrawal from government
- As the economy worsened, and there was no sign of military breakthrough, the Tsar became increasingly unpopular.
- Even Duma moderates were critical of the Tsar, when the 4th Duma reassembled in Feb 1916.
- The Tsar responded by withdrawing from government.
- He relocated to his military headquarters in Stavka.
- He relied on incompetent and unpopular ministers to supervise the civilian population and the economy.
- He relocated to his military headquarters in Stavka.
- As the economy worsened, and there was no sign of military breakthrough, the Tsar became increasingly unpopular.
- The Tsar refused to collaborate with the Progressive Bloc and Zemgor.
- The war led to major changes in Russian politics.
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