Impact and Reactions to the War
Once he had signed the mobilisation order, Nicholas II committed to the war wholeheartedly. Initially, this enhanced his position with the people, as a wave of nationalism swept over the empire, supported by a bombardment of pro-war, anti-German propaganda. However, as the conflict drew on and Russia experienced setback after setback, it began to take its toll on the home front, placing great strain on the economy and exposing great flaws in the country's administration.
Source A: Russian World War I Posters
The Impact of the War on the Home Front
The euphoria surrounding the initial entry into the war was short-lived. As well as Russia's disastrous military performance, the expense of funding and resourcing the war effort had a devastating effect on Russia's economy, precipitating the slide into revolution that would end its involvement in 1917.
Source B, below, summarises the domestic problems caused by the war.
Source B, below, summarises the domestic problems caused by the war.
The Growth of Opposition to the Tsar
Source C: Russian Posters, 1916-17
By 1916 Nicholas II the general perception of Nicholas II in Russia was that of an incompetent, uninspiring leader who was too rooted in the ideals of autocracy to consider any alternative courses of action, no matter how logical or obvious. His command of the armies had associated him with Russia's disastrous military failures on the Eastern Front, and a worsening economic and social situation in Russia led even those who had been his most ardent supporters in 1914 to push for change.
Even as late as 1916, the Tsar was given opportunities to rectify some of his mistakes, but failed to recognise them, instead viewing anyone who questioned his authority as an enemy. When elements of the duma formed what became known as the Progressive Bloc in 1916, it was an attempt to provide advice to Nicholas, and persuade him to make concessions for the good of the empire. However, Nicholas immediately saw the Bloc as a threat to his authority and, rather than working with it, blindly opposed any suggestions it made.
Those ministers that Nicholas did appoint were universally incompetent, and none was given enough time in office to get to grips with a worsening situation. Between 1915 and 1916, the Tsar appointed four different prime ministers, three foreign secretaries, three ministers of defence, and six interior ministers.
It was also during this period that the influence of Rasputin was detested even more widely. Nicholas' absence from government due to his military commitments effectively gave control of Russia to the Tsarina, whose reliance on Rasputin gave the 'mad monk' an extraordinary degree of influence. This created resentment against the entire royal family, which was not helped by Alexandra's German nationality.
Eventually, in December 1916, a group of aristocrats murdered Rasputin, but by that stage the damage was done, and the wheels of revolution were in motion.
Even as late as 1916, the Tsar was given opportunities to rectify some of his mistakes, but failed to recognise them, instead viewing anyone who questioned his authority as an enemy. When elements of the duma formed what became known as the Progressive Bloc in 1916, it was an attempt to provide advice to Nicholas, and persuade him to make concessions for the good of the empire. However, Nicholas immediately saw the Bloc as a threat to his authority and, rather than working with it, blindly opposed any suggestions it made.
Those ministers that Nicholas did appoint were universally incompetent, and none was given enough time in office to get to grips with a worsening situation. Between 1915 and 1916, the Tsar appointed four different prime ministers, three foreign secretaries, three ministers of defence, and six interior ministers.
It was also during this period that the influence of Rasputin was detested even more widely. Nicholas' absence from government due to his military commitments effectively gave control of Russia to the Tsarina, whose reliance on Rasputin gave the 'mad monk' an extraordinary degree of influence. This created resentment against the entire royal family, which was not helped by Alexandra's German nationality.
Eventually, in December 1916, a group of aristocrats murdered Rasputin, but by that stage the damage was done, and the wheels of revolution were in motion.
References for this page
Anderson, M., Low, A. & I. Keese (2007). Retrospective: Year 11 Modern History. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Etty, J. (2009). Primary Sources in Russian History, 1801-1917. Corby, UK: First and Best in Education.
Lynch, M. (1992). Access to History: Reaction and Revolution: Russia 1894-1924 Fourth Edition. London: Hodder & Stoughton Educational.
Massie, R. (1967). Nicholas and Alexandra: the Last Tsar and his Family. London: Head of Zeus Ltd.
Anderson, M., Low, A. & I. Keese (2007). Retrospective: Year 11 Modern History. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Etty, J. (2009). Primary Sources in Russian History, 1801-1917. Corby, UK: First and Best in Education.
Lynch, M. (1992). Access to History: Reaction and Revolution: Russia 1894-1924 Fourth Edition. London: Hodder & Stoughton Educational.
Massie, R. (1967). Nicholas and Alexandra: the Last Tsar and his Family. London: Head of Zeus Ltd.