Rasputin Power

Grigori Rasputin was not popular by the common people of Russia since Rasputin had an appetite for alcohol. Rumors claimed that Rasputin had seduced the Tsarina and her four daughters, as well as Anna Vryubova. When Rasputin was drunk he would frequently brag about his sexual conquests, and would often bribe high society women into sleeping with him in return for political favors. Rasputin was even accused of raping a nun. (“Rasputin”)

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

The Grand Duchess Olga wrote in her journal: “…and he was wholly ignorant about governmental matters. Nicky had been trained as a soldier”. (Fiehn, T. 1996). Nicholas’ sister suggests that he was not ready due to his lack of training. Margot Tracey, daughter of a Russian industrialist declared in 1917, after Nicholas’ abdication “Everybody was fed up with the Tsar because they thought he was weak. When he abdicated there was great rejoicing everywhere. My parents opened champagne bottles and celebrated with friends.”.(White 1994 p.14) Margot shows her understanding of what was going on at the time and that Nicholas was very weak leader, although still a tyrant. Margot’s statement supports the hypothesis as it plainly says that the people did not like Nicholas as a leader due to how weak he was. Margot’s statement is further corroborated by Sergei Witte, a Russian Minister during Nicholas II rule “I pity the Tsar. I pity Russia. He is a poor and unhappy sovereign. What did he inherit and what will he leave? He is obviously a good and quite intelligent man, but he lacks will power, and it from that character that his state defects developed, that is, his defects as a ruler, especially an autocratic and absolute ruler.” (Russian Revolution Quotations 2015). These sources work together to support the fact that Nicholas II was responsible for his own downfall due to his weak character and that he was not properly prepared for the role. This caused

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

Various aspects of Nicholas II’s political decisions reflected his clear unsuitability for the role of Tsar, and these decisions form a preliminary basis for both his own legacy of incompetency & the eventual undoing of the Romanovs. In comparison to rulers preceding, Nicholas was ill-prepared for the role: his father, Alexander III, failed to adequately develop his son’s understanding of civil & state responsibilities before his death in 1894, under the guise that he would live long enough to teach Nicholas of these affairs. Upon his consecration as Tsar, Nicholas spoke in his diary of his apprehensiveness

One resource used for this investigation was Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie, which describes the reign of Nicholas II. This source was published in 1967 in the United States, thus the book is a secondary source. Massie is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian whose work focuses on the Russian Romanovs. Massie’s alma mater includes Yale and Oxford University. The source is highly valuable in its extremely detailed and comprehensive research of nearly 600 pages, providing the thoughts of those in positions of power and interesting, insightful perspectives to the situation at the time. An analysis on connecting causes and effects are thorough and

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

Throughout the 20th century many books have been written about the fall of the Romanov Empire in Russia. It was a dynasty that had been in power for over three hundred year and ends with the last Romanov family being murdered. Tsar Nicholas and his family have been made famous through the many movies and books that tell of their tragedy. Over the past 80 years the Romanov story has become legend, like a fairy tale; but in this fairy tale one man stands out. This man, Rasputin, although he was not royalty, was close to the family and had a hand in its downfall.

The Tsar’s family lived a luxurious life that many of the Russian people could only dream of (Fleming). However, the Russian people thought that Nicholas II was a politically weak and

Raskolnikov murders an old pawnbroker woman for seemingly no reason at all. His sister and mother move to St. Petersburg following his sister's engagement to a man whom Raskolnikov was extremely displeased. Raskolnikov undergoes severe mental trauma, and falls ill after the

He implied he was closer to the tsar and tsarina than he actually was and utilized this to win favors for companions and acquire a costly way of life for himself. Alexandra who was 22 when she wedded Nicholas II was a capable and stern ladies who, even before her wedding, had begun annoying Nicholas at his fathers deathbed. She likewise attempted to restrict the family in an everlasting tea party at the tsar's imperial retreat. She believed nobody and thought the most noticeably awful of everybody who attempted to prompt her spouse . For the greater part of their marriage her political investment was negligible, yet close to the end of their rule she was in control Russia as Nicholas had gone to the war front to aid his officers. She was sacking priests and consultants for Rasputin's benefit. With Nicholas far from St Petersburg gossipy tidbits about outrages inside the regal family were going through general society stadium. Regardless of Rasputins murder in 1916 the picture of the tsar and tsarist manage as awkward and overwhelmed by religious otherworldliness was immovably embedded in the

Rasputin’s hold over the royal family was not viewed favorably by many in positions of power. Furthermore, Aleksey’s condition was not widely known and the royals did not want his condition to be common knowledge out of fear the people would view the heir as unacceptable. However, without knowledge of Aleksey’s condition and Rasputin’s aid no one could understand why the Tsar placed so much faith in the “Mad Monk.”

Czar Nicholas and his wife Alexandria were in control of a society in upheaval. Industrialization and modernization were drastically changing the fabric of Russian society. Alexandria wished to have Rasputin serve them as a spiritual assistant (Saul). The Romanov’s also believed that Rasputin would function as a connection to the common folk. Rasputin cemented his position when he was able save the Romanov’s son’s life.

In 1903 Rasputin's wanderings brought him to St. Petersburg, where he arrived with a reputation as a mystic and faith healer. Two years later he was introduced to Russian Czar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna, They were seeking help for their sick son, Alexis. Rasputin gained their confidence by "curing" the boy of hemophilia. This action won him the support of Alexandra. As Russia entered World War I Rasputin predicted that the country would fall. Nicholas II took command of the Russian Army in 1915. Alexandra was always Rasputin's defender, she refused ministers who were said to be suspicious of the "mad monk." Government officials tried to warn her of Rasputin's bad behavior, but she continued to defend him. On the night of