Answer:
The outbreak of World War I intensified discontent in Russia for several reasons:
1. Military failures: Russia suffered a series of military defeats in the early stages of the war, which led to a loss of confidence in the government and the military. The Battle of Tannenberg in 1914 was a particularly devastating defeat for the Russian army, which lost over 30,000 men. This led to a sense of disillusionment among the Russian people, who began to question the government's ability to lead the country.
2. Economic hardship: The war put a huge strain on the Russian economy, which was ill-prepared for a prolonged conflict. Food and fuel shortages became common, and inflation soared. The government responded by printing more money, which only made the problem worse. This led to widespread poverty and hardship, particularly in the cities.
3. Political unrest: The war intensified political unrest in Russia. The government's decision to continue the war despite the military setbacks and economic hardship was widely criticized, and opposition to the government grew. The Bolsheviks, a radical socialist party led by Vladimir Lenin, gained support by advocating an end to the war and a redistribution of land to the peasants.
4. Tsar's absence: Tsar Nicholas II, the ruler of Russia, took personal command of the Russian army in 1915, leaving his wife, Alexandra, in charge of the government. Alexandra, who was German by birth, was widely disliked by the Russian people, and her influence over the government led to accusations of treason and betrayal.
Overall, the outbreak of World War I intensified discontent in Russia by exposing the weaknesses of the Russian government and exacerbating existing social, economic, and political tensions. This eventually led to the Russian Revolution of 1917, which overthrew the Tsarist regime and established the world's first communist state.
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