Effects Of Ww1 On Russia
The Effect of the First World War on Tsarist Russia.
When historians examine the effects of the First World War on Russia they think of four key questions:
1. Why did Russia get involved? 2. How did the Russian people react to the outbreak of war? 3. Why did Russia do so badly during the war? 4. What impact did involvement in World War One have on Tsarist Russia?
Why did Russia get involved in the First World War?
The ultimate cause of the First World War began in the Balkan region of South-Eastern Europe. The Balkans had been part of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. However as the twentieth century dawned the Ottoman Empire was in trouble. Known as “the sick man of Europe” the Ottomans were confronted by internal and external problems. Internally the growth of nationalism caused its subject peoples, Serbs, Greeks, Bulgarians and many others to seek independence and break away from the Ottoman Empire. With the Ottoman Empire in retreat a power vacuum was created. This vacuum was seen as an opportunity for the dominant Great Powers of South East Europe to expand their influence. Both Austria-Hungary and Russia looked to take advantage. Austria saw herself as the protector of the Catholic peoples of the Balkans and the Russians as protectors of the Orthodox peoples. This would bring both countries into conflict. …show more content…
Bosnia contained a large minority of Orthodox Serbs. Serbia saw these Austrian moves as a threat and so looked to Russia to protect them. Russia having been humiliated by the Japanese in 1905 was determined not to lose prestige and be humiliated again. The Austrian / Russian rivalry made the Balkans a potential powder keg ready to
When historians examine the effects of the First World War on Russia they think of four key questions:
1. Why did Russia get involved? 2. How did the Russian people react to the outbreak of war? 3. Why did Russia do so badly during the war? 4. What impact did involvement in World War One have on Tsarist Russia?
Why did Russia get involved in the First World War?
The ultimate cause of the First World War began in the Balkan region of South-Eastern Europe. The Balkans had been part of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. However as the twentieth century dawned the Ottoman Empire was in trouble. Known as “the sick man of Europe” the Ottomans were confronted by internal and external problems. Internally the growth of nationalism caused its subject peoples, Serbs, Greeks, Bulgarians and many others to seek independence and break away from the Ottoman Empire. With the Ottoman Empire in retreat a power vacuum was created. This vacuum was seen as an opportunity for the dominant Great Powers of South East Europe to expand their influence. Both Austria-Hungary and Russia looked to take advantage. Austria saw herself as the protector of the Catholic peoples of the Balkans and the Russians as protectors of the Orthodox peoples. This would bring both countries into conflict. …show more content…
Bosnia contained a large minority of Orthodox Serbs. Serbia saw these Austrian moves as a threat and so looked to Russia to protect them. Russia having been humiliated by the Japanese in 1905 was determined not to lose prestige and be humiliated again. The Austrian / Russian rivalry made the Balkans a potential powder keg ready to