World War I

The article is devoted to basic stages of Erich von Falkenhayn’s (1861–1922) biography, who was the head of German armed forces in 1914–1916. Analyzing on the basis of different sources style of making decisions, his relations with competitors from the military elite, finally replaced him on a post of head of OHL, author dismisses some popular historiography’s myths, comes to conclusion about an injustice of in an estimation both most Falkenhayn, and strategy he preferred.

This article is devoted to the analyses of not numerous and very specific population group of the Saratov province – the citizens of the Central Powers, who stayed on the province’s territory without changing their citizenship. Special attention is paid to the reconstruction of those events, which occurred in their lives after the beginning of World War I. The chronology of administrative actions taken in respect of that population group is being reestablished.

The position of the Progressive Block leaders in the most important questions of the Russian foreign policy in August 1915–February 1917 is examined. The author analyzes foreign policy priorities of the main political parties, the reasons of the conflict of the Duma opposition and autocracy, and carries out the research of the Russian parliament influence on the country’s foreign policy.

The article is devoted to the research of main economy areas using Prisoners of War as labour force on the territory of Saratov province during the First World war. 4 segments are analysed and revealed to apply the labour of Prisoners of War. Special attention is paid to clarifying working conditions, rate of remuneration and types of job

After February revolution the foreign policy of the country became a subject of serious disagreements in the Russian society. Lack of the coordinated foreign policy priorities, the distinct purposes and tasks in the field of the international relations led to decrease in productivity of the Russian diplomacy, was a source of a political tension within the country.

Analyzing many events and phenomena that occurred in the leading countries of the world, and, first of all, in Russia, before, in the course of, and after World War I, the author raises and explores a number of problems of that time which are still urgent today and connected with international and domestic security of Russia. Key words: World War I, Russia, imperial nationalism, ambitions of political elite, international relations, overthrow of monarchy, war lessons, consequences of the Versailles Treaty.

Saratov province was one of more than 30 provinces in Russia, where since 1915 – early 1916 till 1923 there have been thousands of refugees from Belarus. Materials of the state archives of Saratov region helped to get a clear understanding about the scope, peculiarities and terms of assistance to refugees. Special attention is drawn to relationships between the local population and forced migrants.

The given article considers problems related to the lack of working hands in agricultural sector of Saratov province during World War I. The author concludes that general mobilization most of all effected landlords’ farms of the province. One of the ways to solve the problem of workforce shortage was the wide-spread use of prisoners of war and refugees.