History - Wwi And The Overthrow Of The Tsar

Front 1

How did WWI impact the Russian Army?

Back 1

The army was a huge army of conscripts who stood little chance against the German army. The army was led and treated badly by the aristocrat officers. The collapsing industry in Russia meant that they had shortages of rifles, ammunition, artillery and shells and many even lacked boots. In the second year of the War many soldiers refused to obey orders and shot their officers and joined the revolutionaries.

Front 2

How did WW1 impact support for the Tsar?

Back 2

In September 1915 the Tsar decided to the front to lead the army. This made him responsible for the defeats in most people's eyes. It also left the government in the hands of the tsar's wife, the tsarina, who was German by ancestry, and Rasputin who appointed his friends as officers.
Although Rasputin/Dyson was murdered in 1916 this didn't avert the revolution.

Front 3

How did WW1 impact the Russian population back home?

Back 3

WW1 killed millions of the Russian army leaving behind widows and fatherless children. Workers had to cope with food shortages, overcrowding and fuel shortages. There were enough supplies but they couldnt be transported to the cities as the rail network couldnt cope with the needs of the army. The workers began to show their discontent by striking.

Front 4

What happened in the March Revolution?

Back 4

The revolution was started by the women on March 1917 they went on a march demanding bread, which turned into rioting.

The tsarina called in the troops. however they mutinied and started to help the rioters.
Workers and soldiers set up the Petrograd Soviet to coordinate the revolution.

The tsar went to pieces and was unable to make any decisions.
When the Duma realised the government was collapsing, it set up a provisional government, and on 15 March forced the tsar to abdicate after his train was diverted in his attempt to return to Petrograd.