Russia Controlled
Assessment
How did the First World War weaken the
Tsar’s government?
L.O. To be able to explain the impact of WW1 on the Russian people and
to judge how far it contributed to the downfall of the Tsar
• Were there any
words you struggled
to define in your
glossary for
homework?
• If so, jot down a
definition now...
Starter: Glossary
• The Tsar attempted but failed to resolve the problems in
Russia. Poverty, backwardness and inequality meant
tensions were running high
• Then in 1914, Russia entered the First World War
• At first tensions seemed to disappear – the Tsar seemed
genuinely popular and there was an instant display of
patriotism
• The people put their problems aside to face a common
enemy - Germany
The outbreak of war
• St Petersburg was
renamed Petrograd,
which was more Russian
• The Tsar started to work
more closely with the
Duma
• Some able politicians
were appointed to
important posts
The outbreak of war
How would
you describe
the mood of
this scene?
Choose ONE
WORD
“At last the Tsar, moved by the magnitude
of the demonstration, appears on the
balcony overlooking the square. Instantly
the throng sinks to its knees and with
absolute spontaneity sings the deepthroated Russian anthem. For perhaps the
first time since Napoleon’s invasion of
Russia the people and their Tsar were
one”. (The Times correspondent in Russia, July
1914, witnessing a huge crowd outside the Winter
Palace).
Clue: he is
holding an
icon
What is Nicholas doing here ?
What does this tell you about the
mood of the country ?
• The good feeling, however, was short-lived
• As the war continued, the Tsar began to lose the support
of key sectors of Russian society...
The outbreak of war
• You are Tsar Nicholas
II, Emperor of Russia.
Between 1914-17 you
are faced with many
difficult problems. For
each one, select which
option you think would
be best to maintain your
power and position in
Russia...
What would you do?
50-65 points:
• If only you had been Tsar. You are a modern ruler who is flexible
and can adapt to situations.
25-50 points:
• Not bad, as long as you were able to keep one of the following on
your side (the nobles, the workers and peasants or the Parliament)
you would stay in power.
0-25 points:
• Oh dear. You would have been forced to give up your throne.
You have probably just started a chain of events which will lead to
you and your family being murdered.
How did you do?
• Read through the impacts of WW1 in the table on the
sheet and then complete the questions about the major
problems in Russia (for the activity on the army you will
need a copy of the source sheet)
Impact of WW1
• Use p.108-9 to explain what impact the war had on the
following groups:
The army
The workers
The middle classes
The aristocracy
Impact of WWI on the
Russian people
• Complete a pie chart in
pairs
• Give the largest slice of the
pie to the reason you think
was most significant in the
downfall of the Tsar
• In the outer circle you must
write your reasons for
giving each slice the size of
the pie that you did
Plenary: Why did the Tsar
abdicate in 1917?