Russian Involvement in World War I

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Background to World War I

Russo-Japanese War (1905)

• Russia suffered significant defeat.
• Highlighted limitations in military and industry.
• First European power decisively defeated by an Asian power.
• Contributed to 1905 Russian Revolution.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914)

• Assassinated by a Bosnian Serb.
• Prompted tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia.
• Russia declared support for Serbia.
• France reassured support for Russia.
• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia (July 28).
• Led to formation of alliances: Central Powers vs. Triple Entente.

Russian Military Challenges

• Entered the war with manpower advantage but resource limitations.
• Military reforms post-Russo-Japanese War were insufficient.
• Poor transportation infrastructure hindered logistics.
• Outdated strategies and equipment.
• Hierarchical military structure and lack of training.

Initial Russian Offensives

• Launched offensives into East Prussia and Austria-Hungary.
• Initial success but suffered major defeats:
  • Battle of Gumbinnen (victory)
  • Battle of Tannenberg (defeat)
  • Battle of Masurian Lakes (defeat)

Central Powers' Counteroffensive

• Germans aimed to capture Warsaw (repelled at Battle of Vistula River).
• Russians attacked Silesia but were repulsed.
• Key battles:
  • Battle of Łódź (Russian retreat)
  • Battle of Kraśnik and Komarów (Russian defeats)
  • Battle of Gnila Lipa and capture of Lemberg (Russian successes)

Impact of Ottoman Empire Joining the War

• Ottoman Empire joined (October 1914).
• Fighting focused in the Caucasus region.
• Russians promised Armenians independence for support.
• Clash of religious and ethnic tensions.

Struggles and Hardships

• Poor economy and logistics led to inflation and shortages.
• Social unrest with strikes, protests, and bread riots.

Influence of Grigori Rasputin

• Mystic man with influence over the royal family.
• Assassinated by Russian noblemen.
• Rasputin's influence discredited the government.

Major Military Campaigns

Lake Naroch Offensive (March 1916)

• Disastrous for Russians with heavy casualties mostly due to the cold.
• Failed to relieve pressure on the Western Front.

Brusilov Offensive (June 1916)

• Initial success with specialized units breaching enemy lines.
• High casualties, slowed progress, halted near Kovel.
• Forced Central Powers to divert resources to Eastern Front.
• Prompted Romania to join the war (later defeated).

Social and Political Unrest

Draft of Central Asian Men

• Attempt to bolster army, led to revolt and suppression.

February Revolution (1917)

• Led to abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.
• Formation of provisional government and Petrograd Soviet.
• Political instability: conflicting interests, dual power.

Kerensky Offensive (July 1917)

• Another military failure, demoralizing the army and public.
• Increased desertions and disobedience within the army.

Bolshevik Revolution (October 1917)

• Slogans: Peace, Land, Bread.
• Overthrew provisional government, establishing communist rule.
• Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ended Russian involvement in WWI.
• Heavy territorial and economic concessions to Central Powers.
• Led to Russian Civil War shortly after.

Consequences

• Devastated economy and society.
• Paved the way for the rise of communism.
• Significant impact on the 20th century political landscape.