![\"A](\"http:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/gcse\/russia\/images\/Rasputin%20cartoon.jpg\")
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Image – A Russian cartoon illustrating the popular view of the time that Rasputin dominated the Tsar and Tsarina.<\/em><\/p>\n The political consequences of Nicholas’ decision to lead the army were huge. However, war affected Russia in other ways, which also had a damaging impact on the Tsar. As more and more men went to war, the work of factories and farms became a matter of some concern. Russian industry and agriculture struggled to cope with the war economy. Food shortages in the cities were heightened by the war – the limited railway system was focused on transportation of men and arms to the front, rather than food to the cities. Riots broke out as a result of starvation, workers in the cities complained about the situation they found themselves in and, as the number of dead continued to rise, the level of discontent grew.<\/p>\n Image – Russian’s queuing for food, 1917.<\/em><\/p>\n Accompanying cation for this image:<\/em><\/p>\n “Tobacco, like bread and other necessities, was secured by ticket. This offered a profitable field of speculation for the soldiers.” (From Orrin Sage Wightman, The Diary of an American Physician in the Russian Revolution, 1917″<\/em><\/p>\n The war also provided existing revolutionary groups with an opportunity. With the army and police concentrating on the war effort, and the people feeling the strains caused by war, they were able to find more and more disgruntled peasants and workers who would agree with and join their cause. In St Petersburg the workers formed committees, soldiers and sailors mutinied and riots due to the food shortages were commonplace.<\/p>\n A combination of all of the above led to unbearable strain being put on the system of government. Nicholas II was unable to deal with all of the issues at the same time. His insistence on Autocratic rule and the limited powers of his Ministers meant that decisions were simply not made on ‘big’ issues and that many small areas of government were overlooked as the burden increased. Ultimately the system, and the Tsar’s reluctance to change it, led to the February Revolution<\/a>. In February 1917 the Tsar’s position was untenable. Many within the Duma wanted changes and wanted representation of the people in order to try and alleviate the problems Russia was faced with. The Tsar was forced out, he was forced to abdicate in favour and power and the means of government were now in the hands of the Duma.<\/p>\n![\"Food](\"http:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/gcse\/russia\/images\/ft796nb4mj_00004.jpg\")
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