Imperial Government In Russia In World War example essay topic

In many ways the First World War is considered to be the first "Modern War". There was a significant jump in technology, transportation, communications and the signal for the end of Monarchal powers. These factors contributed to Russia's poor executed war operations in addition to other factors. The long term underlying causes of the weaknesses displayed by the imperial government in Russia in World War I are very interrelated.

Your typical high school answer to the start of the First World War is the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand; this is not entirely true. It is not false to say that this help catapult the beginnings of troop mobilization for Germany and Russia but, there are also many "underlining causes" in addition to the Archduke's assassination. There are four main reasons for Russia entering the war and a slue of secondary reasons; the four reasons being Germany's struggle for more legitimacy, the Alliance system, Growing Nationalism, and Imperialism. Each of these four not only affected Russia but the whole of Europe. As the eve of war approached Europe, Germany was growing in power. Germany had just recently united and the Kiser, along with his new found state wished to increase Germany's legitimacy in addition to a growing economy, powerful military, and every other aspect of that a newly found united nation would seek after its inception.

As its power grew the German state became or anticipated as a threat to its neighbor to the east France. France watched the newly formed state grow in power and feared a future campaign of competition with Germany. Both France and Germany began anticipating for the worst. France increased the years for the draft, began building fortifications across the Franco-German border, and vastly increased military spending.

It became evident that both sides were about to wage war but this does not fully explain why Russia became involved. Tsar Nicholas II and the Kiser of Germany are blood related cousins (it would seem that much of Europe's royalty are all related by some manner but this did not seem to be a deterrent to war) and Germany and Russia were not in accordance with any alliance. At first, one would think that Nicholas would have aided his own blood in battle but it was not in the best interest for either state. Russia was however allied with France and saw it only in good measure to side with the French. Aside from Napoleon entering Russia, France and Russia had very good relations. The Franco-German hostilities help to force Russia into aiding France in its war with the new power of Germany.

Germany was not without Allies as well; the "Central Powers" or Triple Alliance (1882) included Germany, Austria-Hungry, and Italy. Along with France and Russia England too was part of their alliance which was known as the Triple Entente which was officially formed in 1914. It becomes apparent why France and Russia would want England to join their alliance. Firstly, England was the worlds "hegemonic leader". It had the worlds strongest navy and was a economic giant with world trade; not only would England be a powerful military force in the war but after the war Russia could gain economically with England as a major trading partner. Nicholas, indeed, would jump at the offer to help his peoples grow economically.

The peoples of Russia and its neighboring Slavic states were, according to Nicholas, Nicholas's responsibility. He believed himself to be a "father figure" to all the Slavic peoples by the power of God. So by aiding the people of the surrounding areas of Eastern Europe was in the best interest of the Tsar. The Slavic peoples however, had other thoughts on the matter. At the time there is a great sense of Nationalism, not only surging through the Slavic peoples but also the entire continent of Europe. The people of the Balkans wished to unite.

The area swelled with Pan-Slavism as the nations of peoples in the area wanted to break free from the Russian yolk. Every country was developing a more international identity. Most of the major powers achieved this through Imperialism. Many countries are all noted for having one area of the world colonized. England had India, France had southern Asia, and Nicholas wanted unite the area of Serbia, Bosnia and the Balkans. The four main causes of the First World War, German legitimacy, Alliances, Growing nationalism, and Imperialism are all reasons why the war began and why Russia entered the war.

After the assassination of the Archduke on June 28th Russia began partial mobilization of troops on the 29th and full mobilization on the 30th against Austria-Hungry. Once Russia had officially entered the war it was unable to fathom the problems and hardships that it would endure during the war. The question arises: Why was it so hard for Russia to fight this war? At the time the Russian economy, in comparison to the rest of Europe, was weak (but steadily growing) and it had not fully industrialized. Any country not fully industrialized entering a war with a country that is fully industrialized (Germany) is going to suffer greatly. The technology of the First World War had significantly advanced from previous wars.

Automatic weapons, tanks, every aspect of weaponry and equipment had progressed into a more modern setting. Russia had yet to reach such advancements in weaponry. Supplies and weapons were not only far behind in development in Russia but also there were not enough weapons. Russian troops were often times ill-equipped and weapons scarce. Troops would be ordered to enter battle without weapons and to locate fallen weapons on the field.

In addition to not having enough weapons, let alone modern weapons, Russia did not have the proper transportation to supply troops with weapons and supplies. Again, because Russia was not fully industrialized, major planned transportation had not yet occurred. Germany was able to transport troops and other supplies to the front lines leagues fast than Russia. In comparison Russia had only one tenth of the amount of railroads as Germany. It was evident that Russia was not going to be much of an adversary. One could only imagine how Russian troops reacted to such conditions in the military.

In addition to having inadequate supplies and transportation Russia lacked proper leadership. The government was run by Nicholas II who was not educated in the matters of war or governing politics. Nicholas relied on advisors who he appointed from his own personal network of friends and family. Previous to the war the economy was thriving and surpassing Nicholas political plight.

Even though Russia was lacking industrially during the war its progress in industrialization before the war was growing faster than its modern governmental leadership. This may have been partly due to Russia's Finance Minister Kokovtsov's policies. According to Mackenzie and Curran, Kokovtsov "stressed balance growth, sought to maintain the gold standard and high tariffs to uphold Russia's foreign credit", (page 373). Russia was slow regarding industrial growth but it was able to recognize that industrialization was a key element in modernizing the country.

The construction of railroads in any state at this point is the fulcrum upon its industrial and economic growth. The railroads provided faster transportation of goods, help to increase trade, and an overall increase in transportation. This push for industrialization was helping to alleviate the old feudal and backwardness that once plagued the economy. The political side of the country was still behind the county's economy. Although there was a great increase in peasant's mobility and working rights the governing of the state was still operating on an age old system of monarchical rule. The people of Russia were beginning to ignite the flames of revolution once more.

Nicholas was beginning to lose a grip on his peoples confidence and entering the war was not the best of actions. There was a great push for a more "democratic" or "parliamentary" system of government. This was one of the reasons the Duma was created. The Duma, excellent in theory did not execute proper administrative duties. This meant that the economy was advancing faster than the political development.

This may have been due to the fact that the leadership noticed the possibility of development economically but did not wish to let go of their current positions. Nicholas did not seem to know how to effectively run a nation. At one point Nicholas relied on his wife to run the country while he went to the front lines. Any modern leader would not allow his or her spouse to run a state while they were away.

She allowed for the removal of officials and the interchanging of their positions. Complete chaos has plagued the Russian people for such reasons as stated. During the war Russia was unable to compete with any power militarily, economically, or politically. It had been advancing economically but was still suffering from its backwardness in governmental ruling. A good economy is always a strong and helpful point in a nation's development but the rule of the state can have drastic effects even if the economy is growing. Because of Russia's poor rule and feudal tendencies their economy was advancing but not advancing as fast as other economies in Europe.

It is not until after the war that Russia will begin another quest of revolution to change the manner of governing and to become a major economic and militaristic hegemon.