Why did russia do so badly in the First World War?

Question

thanx for any help

Answer 1

No willingness to fight, insufficient and outdated weapons, (some units with no rifles) incompetent leadership at all levels - especially the higher ones.

Answer 2

A number of factors made 1914-1918 the absolute worst period for the Russian Empire to be at war.
For one, social tensions were very high - the Revolution may have been a couple years into the start of the war, but already the society was really not running well. Russia may have vast natural resources, but from 1901-1914, the state never realized this. In 1910 and 1912, strikes shut down mines, and hundreds of miners were massacred at Lena (1912). In 1914, half of Russia's industrial workers went on strike through the first half of the year. Royalty, military leaders and political leaders of the regions were all the targets of assassination.

Russia's leadership was, to be honest, very inept. Many military leaders were removed for suspected coup leanings, and Tsar Nicholas spent most of his free time with his first passion - photography. He took over the training of the Russian military at the start of the war and showed no tactical knowledge. The Austro-Hungarians they faced were also strained and facing a guerrilla war in Serbia, but still managed to match up with the Russian forces.

Russia was hindered by few rail connections between the frontline in southern Poland and the bulk of Russia's military buildup in the heartland. Austria-Hungary and Germany could quickly move troops across their lands and to the front lines. So any victories Russian forces made were followed by slow advances forward, while German and Austro-Hungarian forces could quickly regroup and resupply.

Russia had little sea presence, much of her Pacific fleet being destroyed in the 1905 Russo-Japanese war. Additionally, the Russian fleets in the Black Sea was blocked by the Ottomans and the Baltic Sea fleet was blocked by a strong German fleet, itself blocked by the British.

Finally, Germany had went through a thorough modernization of her military that her enemies were only beginning to catch up to. The British fleet was larger but the German dreadnoughts were the most advanced naval weapons on the seas. Germany's industry had grown to become one of the biggest in the world, virtually tied with that of the United States. Russia's military had seen little advancement and many units showed up for battle as mounted cavalry - by this time, the other great powers had resorted to truck, rail and even bicycle.

Simply put, Russia did so badly because she was at that time in a very bad and unready-for-war state. The leadership that barked for pan-slavism and defending Serbia inadvertanly nailed the coffin on the monarchy and the Empire.

Answer 3

actually at that time Russia was not so industrialized like other power or he was not having good infrastructure comparing to other power so you can say Russia was not prepared for world war 1 ,if you talk about their army they were using outdated weapons and thei supply line were not too good and in war they become worst. state was not in good financial condition so they put more tax in public before the war the people of Russia were very poor and they want reforms in the war situation become worst so they want peace not the war so by the condition Russia lost 90 lacks soldiers in war so following were the reason of poor performance in world war 1

Answer 4

Russia's army was not as well trained as Germany's it was made up largely of the peasant class, where Germany's was a more professional army. The generals were often unwilling to cooperate with other generals, all wanting the glory of victory all to them self, and not trusting the other generals. Because of the lack of training, and often equipment, many Russian generals tried to win battles on the simple concept of attacking with an overwhelming numbers of troops, regardless of their own high death totals. By 1916-17 troops in both France and Russia were simply refusing to go on the attack. Around the same period, both Germany and Russia were having to contend with massive protest at home due to the lack of food, heating sources and even warm clothing. Eventually the military back in St. Petersburg sided with the people instead of protecting the czar. Soon after the new government to control of Russia, they approached Germany to negotiate peace.

Answer 5

The Russian officer corps was elitest, did not have in most cases the training required to lead men into battle, and Russia was fragmented, with the Russian revolution going on back home.

Answer 6

The soldiers were led by officers who got promoted because of their social status so were worse than useless.
They were badly supplied with inferior weapons and were often starving.
When they were wounded they were often left to die unless they were officers.