Post WW1

• When war was first declared, surge of jingoism and flag-waving. Lots of patriotism.
• Between 1914-16, the price of food and fuel quadrupled whilst wages were not enough. Then peasants started hoarding food which decreased production further.
• By 1916, cities like Moscow and Petrograd received only 1/3 of the fuel and food needed.
• Military defeats at Tannenberg and Masurian Lakes in 1914 as well as the Great Retreat in 1915. Russia failed at its counter offensives as well (Brusilov Offensive).
• 4 million Russian troops were killed or wounded during WW1.
• Tsar made the mistake of refusing to cooperate with the Union of Zemstvas and the Union of Municipal Councils. So they combined to made Zemgor, which dedicated itself to supporting the wounded.
• Role of Rasputin

  • Self-ordained holy man who healed the Tsars son
  • The Empress wanted him to stay at court
  • Called the ‘mad monk’ and the empress was called ‘German woman’
  • Was murdered in 1916 in an attempt to save the monarchy (too late)
• The peasants developed own democracy within the Mir and had established a tradition of collective action (for peasants who’s grievances hadn’t been listened to).