The overthrow of the Russian government in February 1917 (March in the Gregorian Calendar) had a significant impact on the First World War, particularly in the Eastern Front.
- Loss of Russian Troops: The new Russian government, under the provisional leadership of Alexander Kerensky, faced challenges maintaining discipline, morale, and support for the war among its troops. Desertions and unrest spread, weakening Russian military strength on the front lines.
- Brest-Litovsk Treaty: The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power in November 1917 (October in the Julian calendar) and established a Soviet government. One of the first major decisions made by the Bolsheviks was to withdraw Russia from World War I. Peace negotiations with Germany led to the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918, which forced Russia to give up vast territories and pay reparations.
- Collapse of Eastern Front: The Russian withdrawal allowed the German forces on the Eastern Front to redeploy troops to the Western Front, where they launched the Spring Offensive in 1918. This placed increased pressure on the Allied powers and extended the war on the Western Front.
Impact on Allies:
- Diminished Russian Aid: The Allies lost a valuable ally in Russia, which had provided significant military support on the Eastern Front. The collapse of the Russian army meant that the Allies had to bear the entire burden of fighting the Central Powers in the East.
- Boost to German Morale: The German troops on the Eastern Front were greatly encouraged by the Russian Revolution and their subsequent victory in the Brest-Litovsk negotiations. This boosted German morale and fueled their efforts on the Western Front.
Prolongation of the War:
- Increased German Strength: The redeployment of German forces from the Eastern Front to the Western Front led to a significant increase in German strength in that theater, which prolonged the war.
Geopolitical Realignments:
- New Russian Borders: The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk resulted in the loss of significant territories by Russia, which led to the emergence of new nation-states in Eastern Europe and changed the geopolitical landscape of the region.
- World Revolution Spread: The Bolsheviks saw their revolution as a catalyst for world revolution, hoping that other countries would follow their example. This created ideological divisions within the international socialist movement and contributed to the formation of communist parties in other nations, influencing global political dynamics.
Overall, the overthrow of the Russian government had a profound impact on the course of World War I, altering the balance of power, prolonging the war, and reshaping the political landscape in Europe.