Russia Controlled AssessmentHow 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

Starter: Glossary

• Were there any words you struggled

to define in your glossary for homework?

• If so, jot down a definition now...

The outbreak of war

• 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

“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 deep-

throated 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).

How would you describe the mood of this scene? Choose ONE WORD

What is Nicholas doing here ? What does this tell you about the mood of the country ?

Clue: he is holding an

icon

The outbreak of war

• The good feeling, however, was short-lived

• As the war continued, the Tsar began to lose the support of key sectors of Russian society...

What would you do?

• 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...

How did 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.

Impact of WW1

• 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 WWI on the Russian people

• Use p.108-9 to explain what impact the war had on the following groups:

The army

The aristocracy

The workers

The middle classes

Plenary: Why did the Tsar abdicate in 1917?

• 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