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**What was the economic and social impact of Russia's withdrawal in World War One?** By Nuri Oglanby- IB History

**Background of Russia**
Before World War One, the Russian Romanov dynasty had owned a sixth of the world's land for 300 years. [|Tzar Nicholas II]and his family ruled over a huge empire stretching from central Europe to the Pacific Ocean; from Afghanistan to the Arctic. Not only did Russia have one of the biggest empires, she also had one of the biggest economic systems in Europe. From 1905 to 1914, Russia's economy grew annually by 6%. For the first time, private businesses were encouraged, hence a sudden surge of industrial growth. By 1908, Russia became one of the top industries for coal, steel and pig iron. Though still wary of putting herself at risk again, Russia seemed to be back on the road to recovery from being defeated in war with Japan in 1904. Shortly after, in 1905, Russia joined France and Britain in the Triple Entente, creating a dependable defense system and safeguarding herself from the newly formed alliance of the Central Powers. However, due to the events of the July Crisis in 1914, and especially the Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, by Serbian nationalists, it was virtually impossible for Russia not to be drawn into the European conflicts. On 30th July 1914, Russia had fully mobilized against Austria-Hungary. On 1st August, Germany had officially declared war on Russia.

**Russia at War**
The outbreak of the war enhanced the Tzar's position as a leader in it's hour of need. In 1914, Russia had achieved remarkable financial stability and it's currency was on the gold standard. However, Russia, and especially Tzar Nicholas II, were hardly prepared for a total war. During 1914-1917, political, social and economic institutions of Russia were incapable of meeting the demands that war had placed on them. Government spending rose from 4 million roubles to 30 million. Shortages of food supplies and militarization of industries brought trouble and starvation to millions of civilians in Russia. By 1 Not only were people physically drawn out, they were emotionally devastated. In Russia alone, 6 million soldiers had been killed and a further 4.2 million severely wounded. However, Russia was undoubtedly not uniquely incompetent. The pressure for total war on all countries was immense and it resulted in severe inflation in most European countries.and as someone who could help the nation. During the war, Russian workers were greatly discontent, as steep war-time increases in the cost of living. By 1916, an average Russian man would have had to work 11-12 hours a day, six days a week, for inadequate wages. This also often lead to overcrowded housing with often deplorable sanitary conditions and constant risk of injury and death from very poor safety conditions. Before the revolution, the Tzarist regime saw centuries of oppression of the lower classes and after Nicholas's failures in World War 1, they were inclined to create an uproar.



**Russia's Decline**
From the start of the war, Russia's economic problems grew steadily worse. By the beginning of 1917, the country was facing virtual economic collapse. Due to the high costs of the war, Russia had severe inflation. The average earnings doubled while the price of food quadrupled. As the war progressed, civilian supplies were given a low priority which added shortages of all of the basic goods, such as bread, in all the major Russian cities. Further, due to several economic blockades by Germany, hunger bordering famine was a constant reality for much of Russia. Also, Russia suffered from d isruptions in transport. Less then two years after the war began, the Russian railway system had virtually collapsed. This meant the transportation of millions of troops and masses of supplies were not frequent and therefore did not meet the demands of the war. Also, although Russia had the biggest army in Europe, there was not a sufficient demand of equipment. This was not due to lack of spending, Russia had spent the most on defense during the war. Undoubtedly, one of the greatest problems for the civilians of Russia, was Tsar Nicholas II. By entering the war with absolute power, he had the full responsibility of Russia's participation. Lack of success could not be blamed upon his appointees. By 1916, all important sections of the population realized that the tsar was not capable to be a successful military and political leader.

Russian Revolution
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Great video on the Russian Revolution

-The February Revolution (18 February- 4 March 1917)
Although not the first attempts of movements against the Tsar or his government, the February Revolution, one of two significant revolutions in Russia in 1917, was different due to the speed of the protests turning into a revolution and the range of the opposition against the government. The Tsar could have prevented further damage to his empire, if he had not made so many mistakes. On 14 February, Rodzianko, the duma's president warned him, through a series of telegrams, that 'very serious outbreaks of unrest' were imminent. He added, There is not one honest man left in your entourage; all the decent people have either been dismissed or left.

During the first five days of the revolution, the largest and most politically active factory in Petrograd, the Putilov steel works, had a full-scale strike. The employees, from the factory, were joined by many others and they marched in the streets due to a rumor about an increase in cuts of bread supplies. On 23 February, on International Women's Day, celebrated by socialists, thousands of women joined the street protesters in demanding for food and an end to the war. By the 25 February, this strike had become city-wide. Even the police had sympathy for the demonstrators and so factory officials were hampered with trying to disperse the angry rioters. Deserters and soldiers had joined the rioting and the military lost all control of the situation.

On March 2, the last Romanov Tsar, Nicholas II abdicated the throne on behalf of himself, his son and his brother. Tsardom collapsed within, the revolutionary pressure, from outside, had no direct effect. For the first time in 300 years, Russia saw a provisional government. However, this paved the path for the uprising of the [|Bolshevik] party and therefore another revolution 8 months later.

** -The October Revolution (12 March- 27 October 1917) **
The Bolshevik party were a political group committed to Marxist theories and lead by Vladimir Ilyich Ulianov, or [|Vladimir Lenin]. Although exiled in the beginning of the revolutions, the Bolsheviks were the government of Russia. Clearly, important measures were taken in just a couple of months. Due to the temporary basis of the provisional government there was bound to be a change in government. The provisional government decided to keep Russia in the war which made it unpopular and therefore Lenin could attack it for that reason. Also, it had never been elected to run the country which made it easier to be disliked. The growing economic crisis in Russia was unresolved with limited success by the provisional government. This strengthened the appeal of the Bolsheviks. Prices went on rising, food was in short supply and the peasants' desire for control of more land was not met. The Bolsheviks were popular for the slogan "peace, bread and land" and promised the people of ending the war and solving food shortages. However, although peasants were against the party, Lenin could not stand for such a greater population to be against him, so in order for them to stay neutral, he promised them land.

With assistance of the Germans, Lenin returned to Russia in April 1917. He at once took control and direction over the Bolsheviks and began to make preparations for seizing power. The provisional government were having problems especially with the war. In June a major offensive was launched on the south-western front- it failed, inevitably, very badly. The Russian forces were no match for the Austrians. The morale of the army declined further and there were huge increases in the level of desertions. The soldiers became more receptive to Bolshevik propaganda and the loyalty of a number of units to the Provisional Government was now uncertain.

Following the failure of the offensive in June, the Bolsheviks made an attempt to seize power in Petrograd in July. The Government no longer had control of events. The most ominous signs include the spread of [|soviets], worker control of the factories, widespread seizure of land by peasants and the creation of breakaway national minority governments such as Ukraine. However, Lenin misjudged the situation and it resulted in a temporary decline of Bolshevik influence and in the formation of a new Provisional Government, headed by Aleksandr Kerensky. Only small numbers of soldiers and sailors actively supported the Bolsheviks and the uprising was suppressed by loyal troops. A number of Bolshevik leaders were arrested and Lenin fled to Finland.

In August 1917, General Lavr Kornilov became the commander-in-chief. His army advanced on Petrograd, with the Provisional Government under the leadership of Alexander Kerensky, seemingly powerless to stop him. Although the government survived, it was gravely weakened and the Bolsheviks began recovery. An important result of the Kornilov Revolt was a big increase in support for the Bolsheviks. Their popularity increased as a direct result of their actions in defeating Kornilov and saving Petrograd from his troops. By September, the Bolsheviks had gained control of the Petrograd Soviet.

The seizure of power was organized for the 24-26 October. Key buildings, power stations, railway and tram stations, important bridges were in Bolshevik hands. On the night of the 25th/26th October, the Bolsheviks stormed the Winter Palace and arrested the Provisional Government. Lenin claims power in the name of Congress of Soviets.

**Conclusion**
//During the war, there were immense pressures on all participating countries. Most internal structures perished both economically and socially. The basic explanation for Russia's decline and slide into revolution in 1917 was an economic one. However, the length of the war seemed to effect Russia the most. The millions of tragedies and deaths were crippling to the Russian population. The prolonged war brought high inflation effecting food supplies leading to hunger and deprivation. Russia also suffered from a dislocated communications system which was crucial whilst in war. The tsar's god given right became a myth as the failure of Russian involvement in the First World War proved disastrous. Through centuries of oppression by Tzarist regimes, the nation wanted a revolution.// // Even without war, due to a rapidly growing population there were underlying weaknesses in Russia such as urban overcrowding and poverty. Also, four fifths of the nation were uneducated peasantry which meant that most of the Russian army were not strong willed men. Unlike advanced nations of Europe, politically and economically, Russia were backwards. Her economic system stifled initiative and it's repressive political system was incompetent and suspicious. The government was run by inept courtiers from a corrupt court lead by a weak tsar who lacked knowledge of the people's needs. Within Russia's empire, with the rise of nationalism, countries wanted independence. Russia would have entered a revolution even without war happening. // // I believe it was mainly due to poor leadership that Russia had left the war. The tsarist system showed itself unwilling to make the political adjustments needed to accommodate the social and economic changes that were occurring. Before the revolution, the tsar consistently rejected demands from the duma to appoint professional and technical experts to key posts in the government and the army. Also, as Russia's economic system declined, the tsar dealt with the problems by printing more paper roubles, however this simply pushed up the prices of basic necessities even higher. His actions evidently implemented Russia's economic system and after centuries of social oppression the people were inclined to create an upheaval. //

EXTRA
[|(Click here)] This simulation is designed to teach you all about the strengths, weaknesses, successes and failures of Tsarist Russia on the eve of World War One. [|(Click here)]Timeline of the Russian Revolution