February Revolution

Step One: The Effect of the War on Soldiers

• After Tannenberg and the Mazurian Lakes, it seems as though there is no hope left.
• Low morale: supply shortage, weapon shortage, high desertion rate (twenty-five percent at times!) as well as no medical care, high fatality rate (greater than a million fatalities), miscommunications!
• Complete, utter chaos.

Step Two: The Effect of the War on Cities

• Peasants have joined the army, so there is nobody to cultivate food and the city is starving
• Poverty and unemployment everywhere as jobs in factories are lost, because there's no money to pay the people
• The sale of vodka is banned
• Massive inflation
• Industrial materials are short: cold, hunger

Step Three: Tsarina's in Charge

• September 1915: The Tsar goes to handle affairs and boost morale at the warfront
• He hands power to the Tsarina, the closest relative
• BIG MISTAKE, as incompetent to rule, she has massive faith in Rasputin for healing her son
• Rasputin replaces competent ministers with men of his own; yes-men, essentially
• Rumours are rampant about his relationship with the Tsarina
• Morale in the cities falls, because people think the Tsarina is supporting the other side and purposely making…