Russia's Involvement In World War I

The Russian Empire was at its golden age between18th- 19th century. The Tsarist autocracy was highly praised by the people mainly in relation to religion and social factors. However, with the spread of industrial revolution from Britain to Western Europe in late19th century, the national power –both political and economic- of Russia became far beyond than the countries nearby. In addition to the appearance of a range of social problems, a strong trend of rebellion against authority occurs. The 1905 Revolution, the February and October Revolution in 1907, were the best examples to illustrate the desperate demand and effects on Russians of changes in economy, society and politics caused by over throwing the ruler.

The 1905 revolution was the
Historians comment the war as ‘a terrible disaster’ for Russia in which, the unequipped Russian army were routed by the Germans, defeat after defeat under the badly supreme command of Nicholas on the western front. Over 1.3m soldiers were killed and 4.2m were wounded in the battle by 1907, plus the enormous amount of expenses and efforts put, Russia did pay a heavy price. Meanwhile, the German-birth Queen, Alexandra, was left to be in charge of the empire, who’s completely under the influence of Rasputin. A speedy change of ministers during their govern had halt the government and together with the shortage on the basic products of living like food and fuel due to lack of working forces and bad weather, the discontent of the public to the Tsarist regime peaks. As soon as social needs become a political wants, the conditions became right for revolution created by the social, economic and political forces. This includes the general disappointment to the decayed government, the corruption of the economy with soaring prices and the popularity of revolutionaries such as the Bolsheviks and the Socialist for
The Provisional Government, formerly the Duma, became the officials of Russia after the February Revolution in which, Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate and ended the Russian Empire for ruling almost 200 years. However, the real power was held by the Soviet. Like the leader of the Provisional Government Lvov said, “The Soviets has power without authority, the government has authority without power.” Lenin, the head of the Bolsheviks Party, returned to Russia in frantic with Germany’s help, issued the April Theses to end the war. According to Karl Marx theorem, after the middle class has seize power from the upper class, it would be overthrown by the workers and communism would have been achieved. This ideology believed by the Bolsheviks Party lead them to believed that now was the time to stage the revolution and thus, stood up to the public. They gradually gain supports by claiming to represent the workers, peasant and soldiers, became further popular with the promise for ‘peace, land and bread’ meanwhile the Provisional Government falls. The Bolsheviks gently dominate the Soviet for being more determined and strongly led than the other socialist parties. It became clear that a second revolution would occur under the political forces to settle down the situation of diverse opinions on Russia future development and closely, whether or not to withdraw from the war.