The Eastern Front in World War One

1
The Eastern Front in World War One

• To learn about Russias involvement in World War
  One
• To relate this to pre-existing tensions in Russia

Produced by By Mr. Osborne with some small
adaptations by Mr. Wright
2
Assassination in Serbia

• Think back to when you studied the causes of
  World War One. How did the assassination of Arch
  Duke Franz Ferdinand II increase tension between
  Russia and Austria-Hungary?

3
The Schlieffen Plan

• Think back to when you studied the start of World
  War One. What was the Schlieffen Plan? What
  effect did this have on Russia?

4
The Schlieffen Plan

• Germany had drawn up plans for war in Europe
• The Germans planned to attack France quickly and
  defeat the French before they could mobilise
  their troops
• This would prevent the Germans having to fight a
  war on two fronts
• The plan failed because British and French troops
  were able to slow the German advance, and force
  them into fighting trench warfare
• See the Schlieffen plan animation click here!

5
Russian Mobilisation

• Think back to when you studied the causes of
  World War One. What advantage did Russia have
  over all the other armies in Europe?

6
Russian Mobilisation

• Russia had an enormous military by comparison to
  the other European nations (it had around 1.3
  million soldiers, compared to Germanys 900,000)
• However, the Schlieffen plan only gave Russia
  about 6 weeks to fully mobilise their army to
  repel a German attack
• Many Russian soldiers were sent to fight poorly
  trained and equipped

7
The Tsars Popularity

• What effect do you think the start of World War
  One had on Tsar Nicholas IIs popularity?

8
The Tsars Popularity

• At the beginning of World War One, despite the
  problems in Russia, Tsar Nicholas IIs popularity
  soared
• The threat of war increased Russians sense of
  patriotism
• Tsar Nicholas II was seen as the leader of the
  nation
• Consequently, Tsar Nicholas II made himself
  Commander-in-Chief of the Russian army

9
The February Revolution

• 1917
• The fall of the Tsar

By Mr Osbornewww.SchoolHistory.co.uk
10
The impact of WWI

• Military Defeats
• Russian army was big but poorly equipped
• Lost two major battles in 1914
• Caused loss of civilian and military morale
• Tsar now held responsible for the defeats as he
  had taken charge of the army

11
The Battles of Tannenburg and Masurian Lakes

• To learn about Russian defeats in World War One
• To understand how these effected the opinion of
  the Russian population

12
Early Success

• The First Army, led by General Rennenkampf, and
  the Second Army, led by General Samsonov were
  told to invade East Prussia (part of Germany)
• General Samsonov forced the Germans to retreat
• General Rennenkampf defeated the Germans at the
  Battle of Gumbinnen

13
A Change In German Tactics

• The Germans replaced their commander, Prittwitz,
  with Generals Ludendorff and Hindenburg
• They decided that attack was the best form of
  defence, and mounted an offensive

14
The Battle of Tannenburg

• By August 22nd the Germans had stabilised their
  position and by the 29th they had surrounded
  Samsonovs army
• The Germans intercepted a message revealing that
  Rennenkampfs army would not be marching to
  assist Samsonov, and moved in to attack
• The message also contained Samsonovs plan of
  attack, so the Germans could prepare for this

15
The Battle of Tannenburg (cont)

• The Russians found themselves surrounded, and
  unable to retreat back to Russia without having
  to fight
• Samsonov ordered a breakout, but this was very
  costly
• Of the 150,000 men in the Second Army, only
  10,000 managed to escape
• However, this helped their allies on the Western
  Front because the Germans had to move their troops

16
The Battle of Masurian Lakes

• The Russians had planned a pincer movement to
  encircle the Germans
• Due to Samsonovs defeat at Tannenburg, the
  Rennenkampfs army was in a much weaker position
• Another defeat like Tannenburg would secure the
  German border, and allow the Germans to send
  troops back to the Western Front

17
The Battle of Masurian Lakes (cont)

• The German army attacked on September 7th,
  outnumbering the Russians 3 to 1
• The Russians decided to withdraw, but left two
  divisions behind to slow the German advance and
  allow the Russians time to escape
• The ensuing battle cost the Russians 125,000 men
  and 150 artillery guns

18
Why did these battles help to cause the Russian
Revolution?

• Who was the Russian Commander-in-Chief?
• What happened to the patriotic feeling at the
  start of the war?
• How did it make the Russian military feel?

19
Criticism of the Tsar Poor military
commander Poor political leader Left the Tsarina
in charge of the government Refused to accept
advice from the Duma
Criticism of the Tsarina Inexperienced and
incompetent ruler Under the influence of
Rasputin Unpopular because she was German
Impact of WWI
Role of Rasputin Claimed to be a healer. Disliked
by many yet held influence over both the Tsar and
Tsarina
20
Economic problems
Impact WWI
Impact WWI

• Over 15 million men joined the army
• not enough workers in factories and farms
• caused shortages of food and materials
• Railway system very poor
• could not supply the troops
• could not supply the towns
• food prices rose

21
Social discontent
Impact WWI
Impact WWI

• Food shortages and price rises caused widespread
  discontent
• The war had seen the population move from the
  countryside to the cities
• The cities soon became overcrowded and people
  lived in terrible conditions

22
Events of the Revolution

• Feb 22 20,000 steelworkers on strike
• Feb 23 Women take to the streets to demonstrate
• Feb 25 Now over half of Petrograd is on strike
• Feb 26 Tsar orders troops to fire on crowds- 40
  killed

23
Events of the Revolution

• Feb 26 Tsar closes the Duma
• Feb 27 Soldiers mutiny and establish the
  Petrograd Soviet with workers and sailors
• Feb 28 Tsar returns to Petrograd
• March 1 Tsar loses support of army
• March 2 Tsar abdicates
• March 3 Grand Duke Michael refuses throne

24
Results of February revolution
Dual Government
The Petrograd Soviet A council of 2,500 deputies.
Determined to share power with the Provisional
Government
The Provisional Government 1. A 12 member
government led by Kerensky 2. Planned to rule
until elections could be held