World War 1 Russia Values
Yuliana Havryshchuk
Mr. Commisso
CHC 2D
3 November 2010
Russia 's Withdwral from World War I
There are always two sides to every story. When a country in an alliance backs out of a war, there is bound to be controversy. Some say it is unacceptable, and cowardly to leave your allies on their own. Key countries can make the difference between a victory and a defeat in war. There are very strong ties connecting the ‘players.’ In World War I, Russia was a key player. When people accuse it of cowardice, and betrayal, most do not realize the fact that in each country, there are unique issues that can impact its ability to contribute positively to the fight. Due to certain realities surrounding Russia’s royal family, the October revolution, …show more content…
and Germany’s defeat, Russia had no choice but to surrender.
The royal family, the Romanovs, specifically the Czar, controlled the Russian army.
Once the Czar abdicated, the people no longer felt like they had to answer to anyone. There were many flaws in Russian government, and structure at the time of World War 1. The Czar, Nicholas II, was extremely unpopular with the citizens. (See appendix data for picture of Czar Nicholas II. Figure 1). Even before the war, there was a large gap between the rich and the poor. The people felt disconnected, and did not believe that Nicholas II genuinely cared about them. The fact that the Czar, who had no knowledge of war tactics, took over the Russian army only made matters worse. The army was badly led and poorly equipped. All problems were blamed on Nicholas II. 15 million men were forced from their jobs at farms and train stations, resulting in food shortages, and higher process (Smele). The winter of 1916-1917 was severe to the point that there was a famine in some cities. On March 8th, there were many riots regarding the food shortages, and war in general. Four days later, March 12th, most of the army itself abandoned the …show more content…
Czar by refusing to tame the riots (Clare). That same night, Rodzianko, President of the Duma, the Russian parliament, telegraphed the Tsar, “The situation is getting worse. Something has to be done immediately. Tomorrow is too late. The last hour has struck. The future of the country and the royal family is being decided” (Clare). The next day, March 13th, the Duma formally asked Czar Nicholas II to abdicate. While a number of parts of the military continued to fight on the war front, many quit fighting altogether, and some even fought each other. Germany took advantage of the opportunity to get rid of the enemy on the eastern front. They arranged for Vladimir Lenin, a revolutionary who had been exiled from Russia for many years, to return to Petrograd. The czarist government had lost control of the country.
While trying to withstand Germany in the World War, the Russians also had to worry about conflicts with their own people. (See appendix data for a picture of riots. Figure 2). A civil war was becoming more and more likely. On September 14th, the Duma was officially broken up by the newly created Directorate, a brief transitional government, and the country was declared ‘the Russian Republic.’ The government lasted approximately eight months, until power in Russia was transferred to the Bolsheviks in October 1917. The provisional government thought Russia should remain in the war until Germany was defeated (Trueman). The leader of the Bolsheviks however, Vladimir Lenin, did not believe in war. The communist party believed that they should escape the war as soon as possible, no matter the territory loss and reparations. November 6th, 1917, the Bolsheviks took complete control of Russia, with the help of the military. The next day, Vladimir Lenin issued his first decree, a declaration of peace. He ordered the whole army to cease all warfare. During a speech, Vladimir stated that even though the Russian people have the want to change their fate, they cannot do it themselves, “We cannot be guided by the mood of the masses; that is changeable and unaccountable. The masses have given their confidence to the Bolsheviks and ask from them not words but deeds” (Trueman). The people confided in the Bolsheviks, and expected them to lead the country to peace and prosperity. Just as Lenin had promised, they were acting immediately. The war for the Russians was deemed over. Sometimes, countries had no say or choice regarding their fate. Russia was forced to sign the peace agreement with Germany, just as Germany had to sign the treaty of Versailles. Even if the Bolsheviks had not taken over Russia, the army was in no shape to fight (Trueman). The military was unorganized; the commanders not on speaking terms. The soldiers had many disagreements regarding the revolution, and their fate in the war. Most of all, they were exhausted. The country could not handle any more loss. The communist party promised the people a bright future, equality, peace. An armistice was agreed upon; the only thing left was the treaty. (See appendix data for picture of the armistice. Figure 3) Lenin ordered a representative from the Bolsheviks to meet with the allies and central powers to negotiate it. Surprised when Britain and France did not show up, Russia would have to negotiate alone (Smele). Months later, the Bolshevik hierarchy still could not agree on a treaty. Some were beginning to go against Lenin’s idea of peace by signing a treaty. On January 21st, 1918, thirty-two of sixty-three voted in favour of starting a revolutionary war against Germany. The issue was sent to the party’s Central Committee, which rejected the idea. On February 18th, the Bolsheviks had run out of time. Germany re-started their advance into Russia and conquered 100 miles in just four days. This confirmed Lenin’s thoughts that a treaty needed to be compromised as soon as possible. On March 3rd, 1918, it was finally signed. According to Article 1, “Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey on the one hand and Russia on the other declare that the condition of war between them has ceased. They have decided to live in peace and accord in the future” (Avalon Project). Under the treaty, Russia also gave up: Riga, Lithuania, Livonia, Estonia and some of White Russia. These were some of the most productive farming areas in Western Russia, which explains why Germany had chosen them. By the conditions of the treaty, Germany was allowed to exploit the lands to support military effort against the allies in the west. That was the end of the eastern front. Ideally, after signing the treaty, Russia should have become the peaceful, productive and rich nation that the Bolsheviks promised. In reality however, more evidence was seen regarding the fact that Russia was in a broken state. No one had won the war. Signing the peace treaty was a horror for the allies. Russia’s withdrawal meant that 900,000 additional German troops could be sent to the western front. The Germans had many more resources; crops, mines, factories, weapons. However, fate must do its part. There were many complicated issues in Russia itself, surrounding the Czar, Bolsheviks, and an imperfect military.
Appendix
Figure 2
Riots in Russia
Figure 1
Czar Nicholas II
Figure 3
Russia’s Preposition of Armistice
Works Cited
Works Cited
"Avalon Project - Foreign Relations of the United States : 1918 The Conclusion of the Peace of Brest Litovsk - The Consul General at Moscow (Summers) to the Secretary of State." Avalon Project - Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy.
Web. 23 Oct. 2010. <http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/bl34.asp#treatytext>.
Clare, John D. "Causes of the Russian Revolution of February/March 1917." GCSE Modern World History. Web. 25 Oct. 2010. <http://www.johndclare.net/Russ3.htm>.
The Grolier Library of World War I. Danbury, CT: Grolier Educational, 2001. Print.
MacKenzie, David, and Michael W. Curran. A History of Russia, the Soviet Union, and beyond. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2002. Print.
Smele, Jonathon. "BBC - History - World Wars: War and Revolution in Russia 1914 - 1921." BBC - Homepage. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/eastern_front_01.shtml>.
Strachan, Hew. The Oxford Illustrated History of the First World War. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2000. Print.
Trueman, Chris. "Russia and World War One." History Learning Site. Web. 18 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/russia_and_world_war_one.htm>.
Trueman, Chris. “The Bolsheviks." History Learning Site. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/bolsheviks.htm >.
Mr. Commisso
CHC 2D
3 November 2010
Russia 's Withdwral from World War I
There are always two sides to every story. When a country in an alliance backs out of a war, there is bound to be controversy. Some say it is unacceptable, and cowardly to leave your allies on their own. Key countries can make the difference between a victory and a defeat in war. There are very strong ties connecting the ‘players.’ In World War I, Russia was a key player. When people accuse it of cowardice, and betrayal, most do not realize the fact that in each country, there are unique issues that can impact its ability to contribute positively to the fight. Due to certain realities surrounding Russia’s royal family, the October revolution, …show more content…
and Germany’s defeat, Russia had no choice but to surrender.
The royal family, the Romanovs, specifically the Czar, controlled the Russian army.
Once the Czar abdicated, the people no longer felt like they had to answer to anyone. There were many flaws in Russian government, and structure at the time of World War 1. The Czar, Nicholas II, was extremely unpopular with the citizens. (See appendix data for picture of Czar Nicholas II. Figure 1). Even before the war, there was a large gap between the rich and the poor. The people felt disconnected, and did not believe that Nicholas II genuinely cared about them. The fact that the Czar, who had no knowledge of war tactics, took over the Russian army only made matters worse. The army was badly led and poorly equipped. All problems were blamed on Nicholas II. 15 million men were forced from their jobs at farms and train stations, resulting in food shortages, and higher process (Smele). The winter of 1916-1917 was severe to the point that there was a famine in some cities. On March 8th, there were many riots regarding the food shortages, and war in general. Four days later, March 12th, most of the army itself abandoned the …show more content…
Czar by refusing to tame the riots (Clare). That same night, Rodzianko, President of the Duma, the Russian parliament, telegraphed the Tsar, “The situation is getting worse. Something has to be done immediately. Tomorrow is too late. The last hour has struck. The future of the country and the royal family is being decided” (Clare). The next day, March 13th, the Duma formally asked Czar Nicholas II to abdicate. While a number of parts of the military continued to fight on the war front, many quit fighting altogether, and some even fought each other. Germany took advantage of the opportunity to get rid of the enemy on the eastern front. They arranged for Vladimir Lenin, a revolutionary who had been exiled from Russia for many years, to return to Petrograd. The czarist government had lost control of the country.
While trying to withstand Germany in the World War, the Russians also had to worry about conflicts with their own people. (See appendix data for a picture of riots. Figure 2). A civil war was becoming more and more likely. On September 14th, the Duma was officially broken up by the newly created Directorate, a brief transitional government, and the country was declared ‘the Russian Republic.’ The government lasted approximately eight months, until power in Russia was transferred to the Bolsheviks in October 1917. The provisional government thought Russia should remain in the war until Germany was defeated (Trueman). The leader of the Bolsheviks however, Vladimir Lenin, did not believe in war. The communist party believed that they should escape the war as soon as possible, no matter the territory loss and reparations. November 6th, 1917, the Bolsheviks took complete control of Russia, with the help of the military. The next day, Vladimir Lenin issued his first decree, a declaration of peace. He ordered the whole army to cease all warfare. During a speech, Vladimir stated that even though the Russian people have the want to change their fate, they cannot do it themselves, “We cannot be guided by the mood of the masses; that is changeable and unaccountable. The masses have given their confidence to the Bolsheviks and ask from them not words but deeds” (Trueman). The people confided in the Bolsheviks, and expected them to lead the country to peace and prosperity. Just as Lenin had promised, they were acting immediately. The war for the Russians was deemed over. Sometimes, countries had no say or choice regarding their fate. Russia was forced to sign the peace agreement with Germany, just as Germany had to sign the treaty of Versailles. Even if the Bolsheviks had not taken over Russia, the army was in no shape to fight (Trueman). The military was unorganized; the commanders not on speaking terms. The soldiers had many disagreements regarding the revolution, and their fate in the war. Most of all, they were exhausted. The country could not handle any more loss. The communist party promised the people a bright future, equality, peace. An armistice was agreed upon; the only thing left was the treaty. (See appendix data for picture of the armistice. Figure 3) Lenin ordered a representative from the Bolsheviks to meet with the allies and central powers to negotiate it. Surprised when Britain and France did not show up, Russia would have to negotiate alone (Smele). Months later, the Bolshevik hierarchy still could not agree on a treaty. Some were beginning to go against Lenin’s idea of peace by signing a treaty. On January 21st, 1918, thirty-two of sixty-three voted in favour of starting a revolutionary war against Germany. The issue was sent to the party’s Central Committee, which rejected the idea. On February 18th, the Bolsheviks had run out of time. Germany re-started their advance into Russia and conquered 100 miles in just four days. This confirmed Lenin’s thoughts that a treaty needed to be compromised as soon as possible. On March 3rd, 1918, it was finally signed. According to Article 1, “Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey on the one hand and Russia on the other declare that the condition of war between them has ceased. They have decided to live in peace and accord in the future” (Avalon Project). Under the treaty, Russia also gave up: Riga, Lithuania, Livonia, Estonia and some of White Russia. These were some of the most productive farming areas in Western Russia, which explains why Germany had chosen them. By the conditions of the treaty, Germany was allowed to exploit the lands to support military effort against the allies in the west. That was the end of the eastern front. Ideally, after signing the treaty, Russia should have become the peaceful, productive and rich nation that the Bolsheviks promised. In reality however, more evidence was seen regarding the fact that Russia was in a broken state. No one had won the war. Signing the peace treaty was a horror for the allies. Russia’s withdrawal meant that 900,000 additional German troops could be sent to the western front. The Germans had many more resources; crops, mines, factories, weapons. However, fate must do its part. There were many complicated issues in Russia itself, surrounding the Czar, Bolsheviks, and an imperfect military.
Appendix
Figure 2
Riots in Russia
Figure 1
Czar Nicholas II
Figure 3
Russia’s Preposition of Armistice
Works Cited
Works Cited
"Avalon Project - Foreign Relations of the United States : 1918 The Conclusion of the Peace of Brest Litovsk - The Consul General at Moscow (Summers) to the Secretary of State." Avalon Project - Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy.
Web. 23 Oct. 2010. <http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/bl34.asp#treatytext>.
Clare, John D. "Causes of the Russian Revolution of February/March 1917." GCSE Modern World History. Web. 25 Oct. 2010. <http://www.johndclare.net/Russ3.htm>.
The Grolier Library of World War I. Danbury, CT: Grolier Educational, 2001. Print.
MacKenzie, David, and Michael W. Curran. A History of Russia, the Soviet Union, and beyond. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2002. Print.
Smele, Jonathon. "BBC - History - World Wars: War and Revolution in Russia 1914 - 1921." BBC - Homepage. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/eastern_front_01.shtml>.
Strachan, Hew. The Oxford Illustrated History of the First World War. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2000. Print.
Trueman, Chris. "Russia and World War One." History Learning Site. Web. 18 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/russia_and_world_war_one.htm>.
Trueman, Chris. “The Bolsheviks." History Learning Site. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/bolsheviks.htm >.