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Ashleigh Coghill
22/10/2025
History
H History - 1917 February Russian Revolution
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22 Oct 2025
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Why Russia Changed in 1917: Tsarina, Rasputin, and No Food
Ashleigh Coghill
@ashleighcoghill
1 / 3
The Tsarina and Rasputin's Influence
The role of Tsarina Alexandra and Grigori Rasputin in governing Russia during World War I significantly undermined the stability of Tsar Nicholas II's rule. Their influence and actions contributed to the growing dissatisfaction that led to the February 1917 Revolution.
Vocabulary: Ministerial leapfrog - The rapid turnover of government ministers, indicating instability and poor governance.
The Tsarina's reliance on Rasputin, a Siberian monk who had gained favor by seemingly healing the royal couple's hemophiliac son, led to a series of poor political decisions. In the first 18 months of their de facto rule, Russia saw four different Prime Ministers, three War Ministers, and three Foreign Ministers.
Highlight: Rumors of an affair between the Tsarina and Rasputin, fueled by revolutionary propaganda, further damaged the royal family's reputation.
The presence of Rasputin at court alienated many of the Tsar's former allies among the nobility. His alleged affairs with noblemen's wives and his influence over political appointments created resentment and distrust within the upper echelons of Russian society.
Example: The assassination of Rasputin by aristocrats in December 1916 paradoxically angered peasants who saw him as one of their own, further eroding support for the Tsarist regime.
While the Tsarina and Rasputin's influence in WW1 Russia was significant, it's important to note that they were often used as convenient scapegoats for larger systemic issues. The ultimate responsibility for Russia's failures still lay with Tsar Nicholas II and his ineffective autocracy.
Quote: The French Ambassador to Russia wrote home, "I am obliged to report that, at present, the Russian Empire is run by lunatics."
This scathing assessment reflects the widespread perception that the Tsarina and Rasputin's influence had rendered the Russian government dysfunctional and incapable of effectively managing the country during wartime.
Impact of World War I
Russia's participation in World War I, beginning in 1914, was intended to boost patriotism but instead became a major catalyst for revolution. The war exposed and exacerbated the weaknesses of the Tsarist regime, leading to widespread disillusionment and unrest.
Highlight: By February 1917, 1.7 million Russian soldiers had died in the conflict, highlighting the enormous human cost of the war.
Russia suffered disastrous defeats in battles such as Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes, largely due to outdated warfare tactics and inadequate resources. The army faced severe shortages of ammunition and medical supplies, with only one surgeon available for every 10,000 men.
Example: Non-governmental organizations like Zemgor were established to provide medical care for soldiers, indicating the government's inability to meet the basic needs of its armed forces.
The war's impact on the home front was equally devastating. The conscription of peasants led to a significant decline in agricultural output, exacerbating food shortages in cities. The strain on the railway system to supply troops at the front left urban areas struggling to receive essential goods.
Vocabulary: Zemgor - A non-governmental organization formed during World War I to provide medical and other support services to Russian soldiers.
The trenches became breeding grounds for revolutionary ideas, as disgruntled peasant conscripts were exposed to socialist ideologies. This radicalization of soldiers played a crucial role in the spread of revolutionary sentiment throughout Russian society.
Definition: Radicalization - The process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals and aspirations.
While World War I was a significant factor in the outbreak of the February 1917 Revolution, it's important to note that Russia's experience was not unique among the belligerent nations. Countries like France and Britain faced similar challenges without succumbing to revolution, suggesting that internal factors specific to Russia played a more decisive role in the collapse of the Tsarist regime.
Economic Tensions in Cities
The economic situation in Russia's urban centers played a crucial role in sparking the February 1917 Revolution. As World War I strained resources, cities like Petrograd faced severe shortages and skyrocketing prices.
Highlight: By 1917, Petrograd received only 1% of its pre-war bread supply, while food prices quadrupled and wages merely doubled.
The underdeveloped railway system prioritized supplying frontline troops, leaving city dwellers struggling to meet basic needs. The influx of refugees further strained urban resources and living conditions. These economic hardships created a powder keg of discontent among the populace.
Example: Even police agents complained about their inability to feed their families, indicating widespread dissatisfaction across all levels of society.
The gathering of disgruntled crowds in bread lines and public spaces fostered a revolutionary atmosphere, with calls for radical change growing louder. However, it's important to note that while public anger was a factor, it was the abandonment of support from the aristocracy that ultimately led to the Tsar's downfall.
Quote: Historian Orlando Figes aptly summarizes the situation: "It began with bread."
This statement underscores how the impact of food shortages on the February 1917 Revolution cannot be overstated. The daily struggle for sustenance became a rallying point for opposition to the Tsarist regime.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
History
22 Oct 2025
667
3 pages
Why Russia Changed in 1917: Tsarina, Rasputin, and No Food
Ashleigh Coghill @ashleighcoghill
The economic causes of the 1917 Russian Revolution were paramount, leading to widespread discontent and ultimately the fall of the Tsarist regime. Key factors included:
- Food shortages and price inflation... Show more
The Tsarina and Rasputin's Influence
The role of Tsarina Alexandra and Grigori Rasputin in governing Russia during World War I significantly undermined the stability of Tsar Nicholas II's rule. Their influence and actions contributed to the growing dissatisfaction that led to the February 1917 Revolution.
Vocabulary Ministerial leapfrog - The rapid turnover of government ministers, indicating instability and poor governance.
The Tsarina's reliance on Rasputin, a Siberian monk who had gained favor by seemingly healing the royal couple's hemophiliac son, led to a series of poor political decisions. In the first 18 months of their de facto rule, Russia saw four different Prime Ministers, three War Ministers, and three Foreign Ministers.
Highlight Rumors of an affair between the Tsarina and Rasputin, fueled by revolutionary propaganda, further damaged the royal family's reputation.
The presence of Rasputin at court alienated many of the Tsar's former allies among the nobility. His alleged affairs with noblemen's wives and his influence over political appointments created resentment and distrust within the upper echelons of Russian society.
Example The assassination of Rasputin by aristocrats in December 1916 paradoxically angered peasants who saw him as one of their own, further eroding support for the Tsarist regime.
While the Tsarina and Rasputin's influence in WW1 Russia was significant, it's important to note that they were often used as convenient scapegoats for larger systemic issues. The ultimate responsibility for Russia's failures still lay with Tsar Nicholas II and his ineffective autocracy.
Quote The French Ambassador to Russia wrote home, "I am obliged to report that, at present, the Russian Empire is run by lunatics."
This scathing assessment reflects the widespread perception that the Tsarina and Rasputin's influence had rendered the Russian government dysfunctional and incapable of effectively managing the country during wartime.
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Access to all documents
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Impact of World War I
Russia's participation in World War I, beginning in 1914, was intended to boost patriotism but instead became a major catalyst for revolution. The war exposed and exacerbated the weaknesses of the Tsarist regime, leading to widespread disillusionment and unrest.
Highlight By February 1917, 1.7 million Russian soldiers had died in the conflict, highlighting the enormous human cost of the war.
Russia suffered disastrous defeats in battles such as Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes, largely due to outdated warfare tactics and inadequate resources. The army faced severe shortages of ammunition and medical supplies, with only one surgeon available for every 10,000 men.
Example Non-governmental organizations like Zemgor were established to provide medical care for soldiers, indicating the government's inability to meet the basic needs of its armed forces.
The war's impact on the home front was equally devastating. The conscription of peasants led to a significant decline in agricultural output, exacerbating food shortages in cities. The strain on the railway system to supply troops at the front left urban areas struggling to receive essential goods.
Vocabulary Zemgor - A non-governmental organization formed during World War I to provide medical and other support services to Russian soldiers.
The trenches became breeding grounds for revolutionary ideas, as disgruntled peasant conscripts were exposed to socialist ideologies. This radicalization of soldiers played a crucial role in the spread of revolutionary sentiment throughout Russian society.
Definition Radicalization - The process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals and aspirations.
While World War I was a significant factor in the outbreak of the February 1917 Revolution, it's important to note that Russia's experience was not unique among the belligerent nations. Countries like France and Britain faced similar challenges without succumbing to revolution, suggesting that internal factors specific to Russia played a more decisive role in the collapse of the Tsarist regime.
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Economic Tensions in Cities
The economic situation in Russia's urban centers played a crucial role in sparking the February 1917 Revolution. As World War I strained resources, cities like Petrograd faced severe shortages and skyrocketing prices.
Highlight By 1917, Petrograd received only 1% of its pre-war bread supply, while food prices quadrupled and wages merely doubled.
The underdeveloped railway system prioritized supplying frontline troops, leaving city dwellers struggling to meet basic needs. The influx of refugees further strained urban resources and living conditions. These economic hardships created a powder keg of discontent among the populace.
Example Even police agents complained about their inability to feed their families, indicating widespread dissatisfaction across all levels of society.
The gathering of disgruntled crowds in bread lines and public spaces fostered a revolutionary atmosphere, with calls for radical change growing louder. However, it's important to note that while public anger was a factor, it was the abandonment of support from the aristocracy that ultimately led to the Tsar's downfall.
Quote Historian Orlando Figes aptly summarizes the situation "It began with bread."
This statement underscores how the impact of food shortages on the February 1917 Revolution cannot be overstated. The daily struggle for sustenance became a rallying point for opposition to the Tsarist regime.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user