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Effects on Russia from World War 1



    World War 1 played as a catalyst for the Russian revolution. It also sped the Russian civil war quicker than it should have happened. The civil war lasted for 3 years causing involvement  in foreign intervention, close to total disintegration of the economy, and by 1929 there was a massive famine.

    The revolution came earlier than it would have, due to the great war, and it came to early before the middle class leadership were prepared to establish a improved,liberal alternative to the old regime. This War has made industrialization grow and develop faster, which Russia was not prepared to engage in.


Russian Revolution

The greatest effect of WWI was the revolution of Russia. A long dynasty of Tsars ruled, causing great oppression among the Russian people. Prior to WWI, many revolutions tried to occur and over throw the government. But WWI caused the revolution of Russia to take place. The war caused food shortages for civilians and defeats for the Russian solders. Russia left the war in 1917, as riots started breaking out in Russia and Demagogues began to take power. It forced the Tsar, Nicholas II, to resign his throne, ending one of the longest monarchies in history. The Tsar and his family were later murder and a provisional government was set up. This government was overthrown on November 6th -7th of 1917, by soviets. A civil war also took place from 1917-1920, which resulted in forming the communistic U.S.S.R.


History Channel Video - Russia