Tsar Nicholas II
This year saw Nicholas II become Tsar of Russia following the death of his father, Alexander III.
What is 1894?
Over 80% of Russia’s population belonged to this struggling class.
➤ What are the peasants?
Russia suffered a humiliating defeat in this 1904–1905 conflict.
➤ What is the Russo-Japanese War?
Rasputin gained influence by allegedly healing this royal heir.
➤ Who is Alexei?
The Romanov dynasty ended with Nicholas II’s abdication in this year.
➤ What is 1917?
Critics argue that Nicholas II’s personality lacked these two traits essential for strong leadership.
What are decisiveness and political skill?
Poor working and living conditions in industrial cities helped spark this 1905 event.
➤ What is the 1905 Revolution?
Russia’s entry into this global conflict in 1914 placed enormous strain on its economy.
➤ What is World War I?
Rasputin’s influence was strongest while Nicholas was away doing this.
➤ What is commanding the army?
This revolution, led by Lenin, ultimately brought down the Provisional Government.
➤ What is the October Revolution?
This tragic event in 1905, where peaceful protesters were shot, severely damaged the Tsar’s reputation.
What is Bloody Sunday?
This political party, founded by Lenin, aimed to lead the working class to revolution.
➤ What is the Bolsheviks?
This group was blamed for poor military decisions when Nicholas took command.
➤ Who are the generals (or the royal family)?
Many Russians saw Rasputin as a symbol of this within the monarchy.
➤ What is corruption or moral decay?
After abdicating, Nicholas and his family were placed under this condition.
➤ What is house arrest (or imprisonment)?
In 1915, Nicholas made this disastrous military decision regarding the Eastern Front.
What is taking personal command of the Russian army?
The formation of this political body was a concession after 1905 but had little real power.
➤ What is the Duma?
By 1917, these were common problems for Russian troops on the front.
➤ What are food shortages, lack of weapons, and poor morale?
Rasputin was murdered in this dramatic fashion by nobles in 1916.
➤ What is poisoning, shooting, and drowning?
In July 1918, the royal family was executed in this Russian city.
➤ What is Ekaterinburg?
Despite repeated crises, Nicholas II continued to rule with this outdated form of governance.
What is autocracy?
These Marxist councils of workers and soldiers gained increasing influence in 1917.
➤ What are soviets?
Russia exited WWI with this controversial treaty signed by the Bolsheviks.
➤ What is the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
Empress Alexandra’s German heritage and closeness to Rasputin led to accusations of this during the war.
➤ What is treason?
This broader historical period was marked by the collapse of several monarchies and empires.
➤ What is the end of World War I / the post-war crisis?