Grigori Rasputin's Influence On Russia

It must be concluded that although Rasputin did have an influence in the increasing discontent felt by many Russians and their loss of faith in Nicholas’ ability to rule, there were many other reasons for the downfall of the Romanovs. Among these were the fact Nicholas was not a strong leader to begin with this is proven by the defeat in the war, the Tsarina’s influence over him, his irrational decision to go fight in the war and is inability to provide social, economic and political instability for

Nicholas II was known, not only for being the Emperor of Russia but also for his character and personality which undoubtably led him to his own downfall. Nicholas was often referred to as not being ready to become Tsar as well as being a weak leader. Firstly, Nicholas II himself, amongst a very large proportion of Russian society, believed that he was not prepared to be coronated Emperor. Nicholas himself stated “What is going to happen to me and all of Russia? I am not prepared to be a Tsar. I never wanted to become one. I know nothing of the business of ruling.”. (Russian Revolution Quotations 2015). Nicholas was aware of what he was getting himself into and that he was not prepared for such a role. This is further corroborated by the

When Raskolnikov was a student he enjoyed the debate and human contact, but also strived for acceptance. He had a dual nature to himself, which could be characterized by his cold intelligence, which separated him from society, and his compassionate side. After Raskolnikov murdered Alyona and Lizaveta Ivanovna

Rasputin’s influence over Alexandra allowed him to promote political allies to high-ranking state positions, leading to a massive reorganization of bureaucracy in 1915-1916 (Massie 389). Government officials soon believed that Rasputin’s presence was the source of too many of the troubles of the empire and posed a threat to the Romanov Dynasty. In December 1916, a group of nobles led by Prince Felix Yusupov plotted Rasputin’s death. After inviting him to a dinner party, they brutally murdered Rasputin, shooting him several times, beating him, poisoning him with cyanide, and finally throwing him into the Neva River (Rasputin 235; King 182). The Romanov Dynasty would collapse in the following year 1917 in the February.

Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin was an infamous Siberian ‘holy man’, whose ability to cure the Tsar and Tsarina’s son of haemophilia led to him becoming an important friend and spiritual advisor to the Romanov royal family (Duffy, 2009). Rasputin was a paradox, by day he was a supreme mystic at court and at night he obtained a reputation as a notorious drunk and philanderer (Rae & Thompson, 2014). By 1916 Rasputin was viewed by many as a malevolent puppeteer who infiltrated his way into the royal family, pulling the strings of the Tsar’s wife and manipulating the regime (Rae & Thompson, 2014). While his influence and status may have been overstated — Rasputin became an obvious scapegoat for Russian aristocrats, liberals and nationalists, synonymous with debauchery, lust and power — his presence brought considerable shame and discredit to the tsarist government (Moss, 2003). The dominant viewpoint that Rasputin was the sole reason behind the decay of the Romanov reign is presented by Mikhail Rodzianko, Chairman of the Duma, who stated that “The appearance in [the royal] court of Grigory Rasputin, and the influence he exercised there, mark the beginning of the decay of Russian society and the loss of prestige for the throne and for the person of the Tsar himself”. However, although Rasputin’s company played a significant role in the increasing unpopularity of the Imperial couple, he was purely a symbol of Russian despotism and not a central character in the downfall of the Romanov

Rasputin was a man who lived in sin. He believed that by doing so, one would obtain pardon by the almighty. He would drink, party through the night, and sleep with

Rasputin was a monk and self appointed mystic, however he was mainly known throughout Russia as a drunk and womaniser. His nickname itself meant ‘immoral’. The family became close to Rasputin due to his miraculous ability to calm and ‘heal’ the Tsarevich Alexei. The people were not fully aware of Alexei’s condition so Rasputin’s role in the court was always somewhat mysterious and for the people, alarming. The family were so close with Rasputin that it was a common belief

Alexie was the youngest of the five children and only son of Nicholas II and Alexandra. Like his mother, he was born with hemophilia. Unfortunately, his mother's reliance on Grigori Rasputin, a holy man who had no medical training to treat the disease, helped bring about the end of the Romanov dynasty and start the February Revolution. This relationship with Rasputin and the Tsarina as well as the four Grand Duchesses was frowned upon by extended family members wildly and eventually to the Russian people. There were rumors that Rasputin had unsavory relations with all four of the duchesses and this caused a great rift between the Royal family and the people as a whole. Rasputin was murdered by the nobility in Russia on December 17, 1916. The fact that the Anastasia as well as some of her sisters attended his funeral and showed a decline in their behavior after his death fueled the rumors even more.

The common people no longer trusted the Tsar to keep them safe, they could have faith no longer. Prince Felix Yusupov, who was married to the Tsar's niece Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia, decided to take matters into his own hands. He lured Rasputin to his home, though how he did this is unclear. It is generally believed, however, that Rasputin thought he would be meeting Yusupov's attractive wife. Yusupov laced pastries and wine with cyanide, enough to kill several men. Rasputin ate and drank, but did not die, in fact it seemed, the poison had no effect. Still, Yusupov was determined and shot Rasputin in the back. Rasputin fell to the floor, and with no pulse or signs of life, was presumed dead. A while later, when Yusupov and his friends had been celebrating upstairs, Yusupov decided to check on the body. Rasputin opened his eyes which were allegedly "green like a viper." Yusupov and company chased Rasputin, shooting him two more times and beating him with a rubber club. They then tied him up and tossed him into the Neva River. Rasputin's death is shrouded in mystery, as it seems he got free of the binds enough to outstretch his arm, though he had apparently been shot in the head. The autopsy report listed his cause of death as hypothermia, furthering the legend that Rasputin may have been a real magic man. (Cristen)

Raskonikov just killed a woman and there were so many emotions going

History repeats itself more than once in a lifetime, and a closer look can reveal its secrets. Both men betrayed by their closest friends and advisors, their murders would leave their stain in history. However each stain would leave its own unique pattern, and while similar to a point, they each contain their own unique story and circumstances. The night of December 17th, 1916 would shake the russian monarchy, whether for good or for worse ( "The Death of Grigory Rasputin.").

In the small hours of a cold December night, in 1916, Rasputin was driven to the palace of the Czar’s cousin Prince Yusupov; for what he thought was a secret tryst with a beautiful woman. Together, the Prince and Rasputin descended the steps to the basement of the palace. It had been specially converted into a small dining room, a private place to attempt to murder. While the Prince’s co-conspirators waited upstairs, Yusupov passed a plate of rich sweet cream cakes to Rasputin. Each cake held enough cyanide to kill a man. To guarantee success, the wine was also laced with cyanide. The plan seemed foolproof. Though Rasputin ate the cream cakes and became rather drunk from the wine, the poison seems to have no effect. Stunned, the conspirators

Zaslavsky does clarify that the Tsarina’s attachment to mysticism is to be largely blamed on Rasputin’s court admission. Rasputin had persuaded Alexandra and the rest of the royal family to put their trust in him, as he was able to contain Prince Alexis’ hemophilic condition, which was very much incurable. By staying close to the royal family, Rasputin was able to obtain court power, having influence on appointments concerning both church and governmental hierarchies. Zaslavsky provides examples of Rasputin’s influence on the royal family, such as the removal of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolevich in the summer of 1915. Rasputin was perceived as able to remove and appoint high officials, all while managing to stay out of governmental documentation. It does appear that Rasputin did not have any political motives, and that it was merely the consolidation of personal power and prestige. His primary motive was to maintain his position through manipulation of appointments. When it came to the First World War, Rasputin was right beside the Tsarina, advising her as she passed on her influence to Nicholas II. Zaslavsky asserts

Working in a small pizza shop I often take on the role of leader. On busy nights with many orders the shop becomes hectic. Without someone taking on the role of the leader order slips would be lost and orders would not be made. My leadership helps to keep order slips where they need to be. I make sure orders have been fulfilled and sent out. Since I work with about four other people the cooperation of everyone is need to complete the shift. We must work as a team with one leader, which I often take the role of, to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Two hours after he consumed the poison, Felix was worried that the poison was never going to kill Rasputin and he would not die. Felix went upstairs, got a gun and went back downstairs. Rasputin didn't notice that Felix had a gun behind his back. While Rasputin was looking at a cabinet, Felix said, "Grigory Efimovich, you would do better to look at the Crucifix and pray to It." Felix raised the pistol and shot.