Political Changes In Russia In 1914 Essay

On the one hand we can see that the war did had a great impact on the political issues surrounding the changes in Russia. Firstly, the war itself was in effect a short-term factor that played into the entirety of the political changes that were happening in Russia in 1914. Nicholas' management of the war came under fire when looking at the reason for political change. The Tsar was determined to win the war and to rebuild Russia's failing war effort. This meant as a result of Nicholas' attempts to rebuild Russia's name instead of focusing on the war itself and the issues that would arise from the impacts of war, many felt that this tactic by Nicholas of only having the reputation of Russia in mind rather than the actual war itself was not the

Troops that were sent to fight, the majority being peasants were largely unequipped and not as well trained as those of the German troops they were fighting. The point that caused the most anger was however, the army's poor and largely inefficient management. Officers and those of a higher rank were most likely to be the Russian gentry, and as a result were not there to manage due to their competence, but as a result of their class. However, in the 1850's Alexander II hadn't tried to change this and allow for peasants to ultimately have the chance to become officers. Alexander had tried to create a meritocratic military, that allowed all to succeed. However, we can see that Alexanders' attempts at reform had failed by 1914, as a result created more anger within the army that Nicholas was incapable. This anger that build up within the army is vital when looking at why political change happened in 1917, as it is the army soldiers and officers that are the beginning of the revolt against Nicholas. The soldiers go against what Nicholas tells them to do. They refuse to attack the civilians instead they go and join their side. Bloody Sunday in 1905, could have been the beginning of the change, but because the military remained loyal to Nicholas revolution was prevented in