Russian Economy

Russian workers and peasants in the 1905 revolution were unhappy; late industrialisation, outdated agricultural techniques and transport, rigid social structure
WWI economic issues; two years of war brought all issues back to the surface and deepened economic issues
Labour shortage on peasant land
Reduced food production
Near total collapse of industry
Lack of weapons, ammunition and supplies to frontlines
Breakdown of transport infrastructure, limiting troop movement and supply movement between cities and battlefields
Government response; printed more money leading to hyperinflation, leaving money worse

Russian Society

Society became disillusioned with a war they were losing
Peasants couldn’t produce enough food for themselves or Russia, workers launched massive strikes and soldiers were tired of sacrificing land and lives for nothing
Resulting anti-war sentiment threatened social stability and fighting capacity

The Tsar’s decision to control the army in 1915 caused the political sphere to suffer
The Tsar abandoning his homefront for the war meant that Tsarina Alexandra stood in
Tsarina Alexandra grew close with the mystic Rasputin who was believed to be manipulating the government; the royal family quickly lost its credibility
Tsar seen as directly responsible for Russia’s failing military and his poor leadership and strategy became attached to his reputation
Soldiers lost faith in the commanders leading to mass mutiny and desertion
WWI exacerbated the issues that existed in Russia prior to the 1905 Revolution