The Army
- There were a huge number of conscripts who were enthusiastic at first and fought bravely, but stood little chance against the German army.
- They were badly led and treated appallingly by their aristocrat officers.
- Poorly supported by industries at home - short of rifles, ammunition, artillery and shells. (Some didn't even have boots).
- In September 1915, Tsar Nicholas took personal control of the army. He made no difference as the defeats and huge losses continued through 1916. Unsurprisingly, by 1917, there was much discontent and many soldiers started to support the Bolsheviks.
Peasants, workers and ethnic minorities
- War left many widows and orphans needing state war pensions which were not always received.
- Food production remained high until 1916, but the government could not always be relied upon to pay for the food produced.
- War contracts created an extra 3.5 million industrial jobs between 1914 and 1916 - workers got little extra wages.
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