The Military Impact of World War One on Russia.
The Russian Army was not match for the Germans. Russians - old fashioned, ill equipped. Germans - superior equipment, modern and better tactics.
Massive difficulties in supplying equipment -rifles, clothing, food, medical supplies - to troops in the front line. Munitions were extremely low; 1/10men had rifles hence unarmed soldiers had to wait for their comrades to be killed before their rifles would be available. There was also a severe shortage of artillery shells. .
Transport could not cope - Russia's roads and railways were too poor.
Casualties after first year - approaching 4mil soldiers dead, captured, missing.
Casualties at the end of war - 2.8mil wounded, 1.8mil dead, 2.4mil captured.
Russia's Generals had been promoted on seniority and loyalty to the Tsar, and not by understanding of modern War Fare. Many were old and had not learnt the lesson of the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-5.
Tsar decision to taking control of the army in 1915 weakened the army, as his leadership was incompetent. It was a bad decision as now the Tsar was directly linked to the defeats of the army, and this led to him being blamed. .
Desertions by 1917 was high as moral was low from constant defeats.
The Economic and Social Impact of World War One on Russia.
Farming became difficult after the call up of millions of peasant, horses. Nevertheless, during 1914 to 1916 Russia had good harvests. However, there were still food shortages because the grains were not getting to the cities/towns. The peasants also kept the produce for themselves instead of selling it, as there was no incentive for them to sell, as well other goods prices were also increasing as well as the increasing inflation.
As the Army dominated transport needs, there were massive food and fuel shortages in towns and supplies were unable to get through. The educated classers, urban dwellers and working class were all dissatisfied due to these shortages as well as the rising prices.
