1. Russia Controlled Assessment
How did the First World War weaken the Tsar’s government?
L.O. To be able to explain the impact of WW1 on the Russian people and to judge how far it contributed to the downfall of the Tsar

2. If so, jot down a definition now...
Were there any words you struggled to define in your glossary for homework?
If so, jot down a definition now...
Starter: Glossary

3. The Tsar attempted but failed to resolve the problems in Russia
The Tsar attempted but failed to resolve the problems in Russia. Poverty, backwardness and inequality meant tensions were running high
Then in 1914, Russia entered the First World War
At first tensions seemed to disappear – the Tsar seemed genuinely popular and there was an instant display of patriotism
The people put their problems aside to face a common enemy - Germany
The outbreak of war

4. St Petersburg was renamed Petrograd, which was more Russian
The Tsar started to work more closely with the Duma
Some able politicians were appointed to important posts
The outbreak of war

5. “At last the Tsar, moved by the magnitude of the demonstration, appears on the balcony overlooking the square. Instantly the throng sinks to its knees and with absolute spontaneity sings the deep-throated Russian anthem. For perhaps the first time since Napoleon’s invasion of Russia the people and their Tsar were one”. (The Times correspondent in Russia, July 1914, witnessing a huge crowd outside the Winter Palace).
How would you describe the mood of this scene? Choose ONE WORD

6. Clue: he is holding an icon
What is Nicholas doing here ? What does this tell you about the mood of the country ?

7. The outbreak of war The good feeling, however, was short-lived
As the war continued, the Tsar began to lose the support of key sectors of Russian society...
The outbreak of war

8. You are Tsar Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia
You are Tsar Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia. Between you are faced with many difficult problems. For each one, select which option you think would be best to maintain your power and position in Russia...
What would you do?

9. How did you do? 50-65 points: 25-50 points: 0-25 points:
If only you had been Tsar. You are a modern ruler who is flexible and can adapt to situations.
25-50 points:
Not bad, as long as you were able to keep one of the following on your side (the nobles, the workers and peasants or the Parliament) you would stay in power.
0-25 points:
Oh dear. You would have been forced to give up your throne. You have probably just started a chain of events which will lead to you and your family being murdered.
How did you do?

10. Read through the impacts of WW1 in the table on the sheet and then complete the questions about the major problems in Russia (for the activity on the army you will need a copy of the source sheet)
Impact of WW1

11. Impact of WWI on the Russian people
Use p to explain what impact the war had on the following groups:
The army
The workers
The middle classes
The aristocracy
Impact of WWI on the Russian people

12. Plenary: Why did the Tsar abdicate in 1917?
Complete a pie chart in pairs
Give the largest slice of the pie to the reason you think was most significant in the downfall of the Tsar
In the outer circle you must write your reasons for giving each slice the size of the pie that you did
Plenary: Why did the Tsar abdicate in 1917?