17.3.3

Political Effects of WW1

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Political Effects of the First World War

The tsar took over direct command of the army, sidelining the Duma (the parliament), which was dissolved in 1914. But World War One did not go as he had planned.

Illustrative background for The DumaIllustrative background for The Duma ?? "content

The Duma

  • The tsar took over direct command of the army, sidelining the Duma, which was dissolved in 1914.
    • But the war did not go according to plan, and the Duma was recalled a year later.
  • The tsar refused to follow the Duma’s request that he replace his ministers with new ones.
    • By 1917 the Duma was a big source of opposition to the tsar.
Illustrative background for The tsar as commander-in-chiefIllustrative background for The tsar as commander-in-chief ?? "content

The tsar as commander-in-chief

  • The tsar had no experience of warfare but ignored his advisers anyway. This made him an unpopular commander-in-chief of the army.
  • However, he usually followed the advice of the generals, and so had little impact on the running of the war.
    • Because he was commander-in-chief, however, he was blamed by the people for the defeats.
    • In fact, it was the bad training and bad leadership of the army which was more to blame.
Illustrative background for Unrest in PetrogradIllustrative background for Unrest in Petrograd ?? "content

Unrest in Petrograd

  • As commander-in-chief, he was mainly based at the front.
    • When the situation in Petrograd escalated, Nicholas II was not present to deal with the situation.
  • In Petrograd, both soldiers and ordinary workers were disillusioned.
    • The war led the tsar to lose the respect of his people and the support of those among whom he had once been popular.
  • Nicholas II's status as a ‘little father’ to the people was reduced.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Russian Revolution: 1917 AD

18The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

19World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

20The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

21Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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