Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The impact of the First World War: the state of the armed forces in 1914;…
Full specification wording
The end of Romanov rule, 1906–17: The impact of the First World War: the state of the armed forces in 1914; economic problems including inflation and supplies for cities. The roles of Nicholas, Alexandra and Rasputin; the Progressive Bloc and Zemgor.
In 1914 Russia's armed forces were vast but poorly equipped; defeats and the scale of mobilisation exposed shortages.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
In 1914 Russia's armed forces were vast but poorly equipped; defeats and the scale of mobilisation exposed shortages. The war caused severe economic problems, including inflation as the rouble lost value and government spending rose. Cities faced food and fuel supply crises because transport and manpower were diverted. Nicholas II took personal command, leaving Alexandra to govern; her reliance on Rasputin discredited the autocracy. The Progressive Bloc demanded a government of public confidence, and Zemgor coordinated voluntary war relief, but both were sidelined. These pressures eroded support for the tsar by 1917.
What earns the marks
- Explains that the Russian armed forces in 1914 were large but lacked modern equipment, with shortages of rifles, shells and boots.
- Describes how wartime economic problems, particularly inflation, reduced the value of the rouble and raised prices, causing hardship for urban workers.
- Analyses how the diversion of transport and manpower to the front disrupted food and fuel supplies to cities such as Petrograd and Moscow.
- Assesses the political impact of Nicholas II's decision to take personal command of the army and Alexandra's reliance on Rasputin.
- Evaluates the aims and limited achievements of the Progressive Bloc and Zemgor in challenging or supporting the tsarist regime.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that the Russian army was small in 1914.
Put it right: It was numerically large but poorly equipped and trained.
Claiming inflation affected peasants and urban workers equally because wages lagged behind prices.
Put it right: Most peasants were not wage earners and some benefited from higher grain prices, whereas urban workers were hit hardest by lagging wages.
Saying Rasputin held official government office.
Put it right: He was a court favourite whose influence was informal and damaging to the tsar's reputation.
Exam tips
- Link each economic problem to a political consequence, such as strikes or loss of elite support.
- Use specific examples like the shell shortage of 1915 or the Petrograd bread queues to support analysis.
- Compare the roles of Nicholas, Alexandra and Rasputin to show how autocratic decision-making worsened the crisis.
Try the lesson
The start of the The end of Romanov rule, 1906–17: The impact of the First World War: the state of the armed forces in 1914; economic problems including inflation and supplies for cities. The roles of Nicholas, Alexandra and Rasputin; the Progressive Bloc and Zemgor. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which body did the Duma deputies form in the summer of 1915 to press the tsar for a government enjoying public confidence?
Listen
In 1914 Russia's armed forces were vast but poorly equipped; defeats and the scale of mobilisation exposed shortages. The war caused severe economic problems, including inflation as the rouble lost value and government spending rose. Cities faced food and fuel supply crises because transport and manpower were diverted. Nicholas II took personal command, leaving Alexandra to govern; her reliance on Rasputin discredited the autocracy. The Progressive Bloc demanded a government of public confidence, and Zemgor coordinated voluntary war relief, but both were sidelined. These pressures eroded support for the tsar by 1917. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains that the Russian armed forces in 1914 were large but lacked modern equipment, with shortages of rifles, shells and boots. Describes how wartime economic problems, particularly inflation, reduced the value of the rouble and raised prices, causing hardship for urban workers. Analyses how the diversion of transport and manpower to the front disrupted food and fuel supplies to cities such as Petrograd and Moscow. Assesses the political impact of Nicholas II's decision to take personal command of the army and Alexandra's reliance on Rasputin. A common slip: stating that the Russian army was small in 1914. Instead, it was numerically large but poorly equipped and trained. Exam tip: Link each economic problem to a political consequence, such as strikes or loss of elite support.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Impact of total war on economy and society
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Autocracy and political leadership
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Role of voluntary organisations and political opposition
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Causes of revolutionary unrest
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Impact of total war on economy and society
- The war caused severe economic problems, including inflation as the rouble lost value and government spending rose, and cities faced food and fuel supply crises.
- Autocracy and political leadership
- Nicholas II took personal command, leaving Alexandra to govern, and her reliance on Rasputin discredited the autocracy.
- Role of voluntary organisations and political opposition
- The Progressive Bloc demanded a government of public confidence, and Zemgor coordinated voluntary war relief, but both were sidelined.
- Causes of revolutionary unrest
- These pressures, including economic problems and the discrediting of the autocracy, eroded support for the tsar by 1917.
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