Problems in Russia - 1917

By 1917, Russia was on the verge of collapse from within (see Unit One, Section Five - Russian Revolution). Before the Great War had begun, major political problems were present inside of Russia. The war only served to increase the dissatisfaction of the people with the Tsar (king), Nicholas II.

After three year of fighting, Russia had suffered large-scale battlefield losses, food and fuel shortages, and the bulk of these problems were blamed directly upon the Tsar. The problems led to massive strikes and riots in various cities throughout Russia. Ultimately, Tsar Nicolas II was removed and a Provisional (temporary) Government was formed.

The new government did not do much better. They ordered a large attack upon the German Army, but it quickly turned to a failure. At this point the entire Russian Army began to fall apart and walk away. Entire army groups left the trenches and hundreds of thousands of solders deserted. The Great War was essentially over, but a messy civil war (civil war occurs inside of a nation, as in this case, Russians will fight Russians over who should rule the country. In the case of the American Civil War, it was Americans from the North fighting Americans from the South over the issue of slavery) was soon to begin.

The collapse of the Russian Army allowed Germany to begin moving its troops to the Western Front to face England and France. Planning also began for a large offensive in France for the next year, 1918.