the government crisis of 1914-1917

• August 1914 Zemstvo Union Formed

  • treated injured soldiers since the Tsar lacked the qualities to take care of his military
• June 1915 Progressive Bloc formed in the Duma

  • an alternative government
  • push for liberal reforms such as trade unions and rights for national minorities
  • they succeeded where the Tsar failed, making his autocratic rule seem useless and weak
• Prince Lvov didnt want to be the Tsar but the people wanted him

  he was the alternative

  but they didnt want Nicholas to remain in power either

  but they also didnt want a revolution
• The Tsarina was already unpopular because shes german

  and 'having an affair'

  and then made things worse by

  • downgrading the War Industry Committee despite good performance
  • rebel ministers in the Duma were sacked and replaced with Rasputin's allies
  • Zemstvo union was overlooked and undermined - the Black Hundreds were used to crush opposition and national minorities