World War 1 and Russia's involvement

War Effort Notes

Popular + sported by anti - German sentiment.
Lots of people wanted to join the army, 12 million men signed up.
Battle of Tonnonburg in 1914, 3100 killed, lots of death / Masurian Lakes defeat which resulted in less sign up and dampered Russian Mural as they realised it wouldn't be a short defeat.
disurgent popular
They were forced to rely on dead soldiers weapons and many had no proper weapons or clothing.
In September 1915, the Tsar became Commander and Chief of the army and navy which was meant to raise morel and spirit. However, the Tsar had no military experience and it went downhill from there.

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Duma dissolved themselves when the war was announced in order for Russia to focus on winning but due to losses in the war, they demanded to be reinstated in 1915.
Zemgors were formed and made up of local councillors in order to offer Tsar advice.
Progressive Bloc demanded Tsar change ministers and wanted to make a constiituation monarchy
Tsar became Commander and Chief but lost support and put Alexander (his wife) in control of the country but was influenced heavily by Rasputin which led to the affair rumours.
Rasputin meddled in government and appointments of people.
4 Prime Ministers and 3 Foreign Secretaries.
Rasputin = Political Leapfrogging

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Massive inflation
Trade was forced to stop due to loss of land
Lack of transport
Money was worthless in 1917
Increased Tax
Raised loans from other countries
factories = unemployment high - if they were not producing war materials then they were shut down.
Loss of land brought.
The railroad collapsed resulting in loads of lost jobs and transport, supplies being put to a standstill

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Increased taxes led to outrage from the people of Russia
Money worthless in 1917 so prices rose much more than wages did so people couldn't afford basic supplies. In context, wages doubled but the price of food and fuel rose by x4 the usual amount between 1914 - 16.
food fell due to the shortage of workers and the collapse of the railroad which led to peasants hoarding food supplies
Western Russia was overran by Germans
queues to buy bread and rationing helped for a short while but the situation soon came out of hand
Unemployment was high
In 1916, Petrograd and Moscow was only receiving 1/3 of the food needed and there was a 300% rise in the cost of living.

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