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Eastern Front
Revolution and Military Collapse in Russia
When the Brusilov offensive ended without success and
with huge losses, morale in the Russian Army quickly deteriorated. Ammunition
supplies had run out, many soldiers lacked shoes and sufficient clothing,
adequate food supplies had long ceased reaching the front, and to the
soldiers it seemed that the leaders callously ignored the loss of lives.
The czar refused to countenance the governmental reforms demanded by
the left and alienated what little support remained for his rule among
the liberal middle class. The slogan "Peace and Bread" reflected
an overwhelming Russian desire. Rebellion broke out in Petrograd on
March 12, 1917, and three days later the czar was forced to abdicate.
A liberal provisional government headed by the socialist Alexander Kerenski
was swept into office, but real power in the capital was exercised by
the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.
At first, the overthrow of autocracy seemed a great
advantage for the Allies, for Russia appeared wholeheartedly to have
joined the democracies of the west. But appearances were deceptive.
The Petrograd Soviet's Order No. 1, designed to create a more democratic
army, in fact caused the dismissal of the best and most experienced
officers, and with the abolishment of capital punishment soldiers deserted
by the thousands. The Germans realized that Russian demoralization would
be exacerbated by inaction. No offensive was launched, but in April
the high command brought Vladimir Lenin and his Bolshevik lieutenants
east by sealed train from their exile in Switzerland. Hindenburg and
Ludendorff expected that increased Bolshevik propaganda, the lack of
discipline in the army, and the growing desire for peace in Russia would
soon leave the Germans virtually unopposed on the eastern front.
Kerenski's undoing was that he tried to uphold Russia's
obligations to her allies. The remaining Russian commanders-Russki,
Brusilov, Lavr Kornilov, Vasili Gurko-insisted that the new government
must not heed the popular desire for a separate peace with Germany.
Kerenski gave in and authorized Brusilov to attempt a new offensive
against Lemberg. On July 1, Brusilov led a force composed chiefly of
Finns, Siberians, and Poles (the most reliable elements left in the
Russian Army) against remnants of the collapsing Austrian Army. They
registered gains of as much as 30 miles before a German counteroffensive
sent them reeling back to the Galician frontier. The attack was a futile
effort and the last Russian offensive of the war.
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