Early in world war one Russian nationalistic sentiment is high, and the war against Germany and Austria – Hungary proves to help distract from internal Russian turmoil. At the start of World War I Russia take back Galacia. At first the Russophiles living in the area are very happy but eventually come to realize it’s not as promising as it seems. The Russian government wants to post pone ratifying the newly acquired lands until after a peace treaty is made. Meanwhile, the Galacian Russophiles are treated as second class citizens, and many Jews in the area are conspired to be spies and are victims of plunder.
