Russia's First World War

'In this mesmerising study[t]he kaleidoscopic complexities and contradictions within Russian society as the country struggled to stay in the war are masterfully portrayed.' Professor Geoffrey Swain, University of the West of England

'Gatrell is thorough and judicious in his judgments and analysis one can read this volume with full confidence in the reliability of the information.' Daniel Orlovsky, Southern Methodist University, Dallas

The story of Russias First World War remains largely unknown, neglected by historians who have been more interested in the grand drama that unfolded in 1917. In Russias First World War: A Social and Economic History Peter Gatrell shows that war is itself revolutionary rupturing established social and economic ties, but also creating new social and economic relationships, affiliations, practices and opportunities.

Gatrell looks at the First World War in Russia for its own sake, not just as the seedbed of the Revolution. He establishes the impact of war on privileged and plebeian groups in Russian society, and on displaced persons, focusing on society and economy in the three years that preceded the Russian revolution to consider:

         Who were the key decision-makers and what were the consequences of their decisions for Russias home front?

         To what extent was Russia a victim of economic backwardness?

         How did the war affect the existing faultlines in Russian society?

         In what ways did the war continue to reverberate during 1917 and 1918?

Russias First World War brings together the findings of Russian and non-Russian historians, and draws upon fresh research. It turns the spotlight on what Churchill called the unknown war, providing an authoritative account that finally does justice to the impact of war on Russias home front.

Peter Gatrell is Professor of Economic History at the University of Manchester. He has written extensively on Russia, including (with Nick Baron) Homelands: War, Population and Statehood in Eastern Europeand Russia, 1918-1924 (2004) and the prize-winning book, A Whole Empire Walking: Refugees in Russia during World WarI (1999).