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Russia and World War One. Background. 28 th June, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo by Bosnian nationalist Gavrilo Princip . What happened next?. Tsar Nicholas II – Protector of the Slavs Mobilised Russia’s army in August, 1914. Motives.
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Background • 28th June, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo by Bosnian nationalist GavriloPrincip. • What happened next?
Tsar Nicholas II – Protector of the Slavs • Mobilised Russia’s army in August, 1914
Motives • Victory in war would unite Russians • Initially greeted with enthusiasm • Thought it would be a short war • Russian Steamroller
Problems • Pressure from allies (Britain and France) • Geographically isolated • Battles of Tannenberg and Masurian Lakes, two huge Russian armies were nearly wiped out. • 250,000 • By end of 1914 – 1,000,000
Why? • Bad leadership – Nicholas II was Commander-In-Chief • Poorly equipped for nature of modern warfare • Inadequate field hospitals and medications
Nicholas left Alexandra to control Russia • Rumoured to be having an affair with Rasputin – disgraced the royal family
Impact on Russia’s countryside : Conscription Grain shortages Distribution problems Food shortages due to influx of refugees Not enough surplus food – no incentive
War weariness: By 1916 – 2 million Russian soldiers killed Russians bitter towards the Tsar