How much closer to revolution was Russia in 1916 than she was in 1914?
Planning an introduction:
What is this question actually asking?
Russia was far closer due to the exacerbation of 1914 problems by 1916
1+6: what is your argument & how are you going to ensure consistency? Start off with the most important point &
work down to the least important
Development of the explanation/link back Evidence to back your points up- what
to your overall argument
Reason 1: take the Peasants and the working class were highly
first of the 6 and dissatisfied with their standard of living, more so was little incentive for them to do so: the
develop it in 1916 than 1914. In 1905 this was a reason for
protests (Skocpol quote). In 1916 this had far
worsened (PP quote). Although strikes started in
1915, they were worse by 1916 showing that
Russia was more ready for revolution in 1916, as
people were more upset. LINKING SENTANCE
Reason 2: take the The Govs incompetence became clear and it
second of the 6 seemed as if the people were better suited to
and develop it organise the country. How does this prepare for
Rev? Why worse in 1916 than 1914? LINKING
SENTANCE
Reason 3: take the The Tsar made crucial mistakes after 1914 which
third of the 6 worsened his position and made Russia more
and develop it ready for revolution. Tsar had the opportunity in
1915 to restore the dwindling national
confidence in the Gov. through a ministry of
national confidence. This was suggested by the
Duma he was pressured into reconvening in July.
This would have replaced incompetent ministers
contextual knowledge will help you
develop this argument?
Peasants were not selling surplus grain as there
government would not pay higher prices and the
conversion of factories military work meant
that there was little for peasants to buy-
production of agricultural implements was at
15% of its pre-war value. Living standards
suffered as a result of overcrowding & food
shortages: strikes broke out in 1915 and
increased in frequency & militancy in 1916
"Agricultural productivity stagnated, while
international prices for grain dropped... War and
military preparations continued to consume
government revenues. the peasant taxpayers'
ability to pay was strained to the utmost, leading
to widespread famine in 1891. (States and
Social Revolutions States Theda Skocpol,)
As with 1905, confidence in the government
evaporated as its incompetence & inability to
effectively organise supplies became apparent:
the Zemstva (a form of local government) started
forming their own bodies to provide medical
care, hospitals & hospital trains for thousands of
wounded soldiers. These organisations
eventually united to form one organisation:
ZEMGOR
The Zemgor went on to supply uniforms, boots
& tents. Professional groups & businessmen
formed War Industries Committees to shift
factories over to military production- leading
liberals often played a role in these non-
governmental organisation. Even though they
were supportive of the war, the autocracy viewed
them as suspicious & did not cooperate with
them
The Tsar was pressurised into reconvening the
Duma in July 1915- progressive elements in the
Duma (who made up 2/3) formed the
Progressive Bloc which called for a ministry of
national confidence: to replace incompetent
ministers with deputies. The Tsar refused and
suspended the Duma, which only met again
briefly in 1916 & 1917.
 with deputies. He chose not to, allowing
incompetent mister to worsen Russias condition
and for national confidence to continue to
decline. LINKING SENTANCE
Crucially, in August 1915, the Tsar decided to
take direct control of the army & went off to
military HQ in Mogilev, 600km from Petrograd.
This had 2 main consequences:
1. He now became personally responsible
for the conduct of the war and thus its
failure
2. He was away from Petrograd which left
the Tsarina & Rasputin in control of the
government (nepotism for loyal
minsters)

Reason 4: take the Military planners (Ministers??) in Russia thought
fourth of the 6 that the war would be relatively short & so did
and develop it not take steps to stockpile munitions or build up
Russias armaments-making capacity. This meant
that as the war worsened so did the crisis= worse
in 1916 than 1914 when just started out and had
munitions. Opponents of the autocratic regime
used this as political capital against the Tsar- it
was symptomatic of the regimes
ineffectiveness= far more ready for war.
Russia had placed huge orders with British &
American manufacturers who proved unable to
meet these demands As a result, the country
suffered munitions shortages in spring 1915The
government responded slowly, but did eventually
set up a Special Committee for State Defence, to
control production of munitions.

Reason 5: take the Inflation
fifth of the 6 As the war went on, inflation became even more
and develop it of a problem
Hold-ups on the railway system disrupted food
supplies to the towns & cities
The war imposed huge strains on Russias
transport system & in particular on the railways
Trains carrying food was often delayed & in
many cases, actually arrived at its destination in
a rotting state
The main driver of inflation in wartime was
rising food prices, which was linked to
shortages, caused by:
Grain production fell in wartime, mainly because
some important food-producing areas were
occupied by the Germans
Hoarding of grain by peasants & speculators. In
normal circumstances, peasants sold surplus
grain in order to buy consumer goods, but there
were few consumer goods for them to buy

Reason 6: _
Conclusion: summarise all of your points & restate your argument

Peasants and the working class were highly dissatisfied with their standard of living, more so in 1916 than 1914.
Govs incompetence more clear. Tsars mistakes, military planning and inflation.
Show that these all were worse in 1916 than 1914 and thus Russia=closer to revolution

"Agricultural productivity stagnated, while international prices for grain dropped, and Russias foreign debt and need
for imports grew. War and military preparations continued to consume government revenues. At the same time, the
peasant taxpayers' ability to pay was strained to the utmost, leading to widespread famine in 1891. (States and Social
Revolutions States Theda Skocpol,)