Tsarism Research Paper

Another reason for the Tsar’s downfall was the impact the war had in Russia. There was increased inflation and there were seven price rises from 1913 to 1917. As so many people were fighting in the war, there were not enough people to work on the land which meant less food. This meant even more starvation amongst the poor. The people blamed the Tsar for not doing enough to help

With over a century of military and civil discontent the Romanov Dynasty was bound to fall sooner or later. The fall of the Romanov Dynasty was a result of long-term causes including Tsar Alexander’s inability to satisfy his people and Tsar Nicholas II’s inability to rule to throne all together. The collapse was also an outcome of immediate causes; the effects of World War One on Russia and the 1917 revolution. All long-term and immediate cause played a crucial role in stirring the nation until Russia was clearly overdue to be overthrown.

The Romanov Empire in Russia was a dynasty that had been in power for over three hundred years and sadly ended with the last Romanov family being murdered. Rasputin, although he was not royalty, he was close to the family and had a hand in their downfall but was not the main reason for the downfall (Source J). There was already dissatisfaction and corruption within the ruling of Russia before Rasputin arrived.

This demonstrates that since the stress of waging war was tremendous, it should be no surprise that the first war could be a primary cause of the Russian Revolution. Moreover, the major powers of Europe hurt Russia in World War I; yet, by 1917, all the combatants horrifically suffered from the strains of war economically, proving this to be a long-term cause. This was, to a great extent, considerable because the military defeats and social strains of World War I had created a crisis in Imperial Russia. Before, Russia had some military accomplishments and they were on their way to being successful. Nevertheless, their triumphs were not long-standing; hence, Russia was not able to be victorious due to the fact that Russia decreased in economy because of the limitations in Russia. Similarly, restraints included the shortage of food and the huge problems with getting the obligatory materials for the army during World War I, which shows that this was momentous. Along with Russia being defeated and having a scarcity of supplies, Russia also showed economic oppression due to the pressure in jobs workers faced.

The fall of the Romanov Dynasty in 1914 proved that the Tsar could not handle the problems of Russia. Ironically, he would have been ideal as a constitutional monarch, but was adamant against the idea. As the First World War started Russia’s problems arises, from short-term and long-term causes. The war brought back inflation which led to “demonstrations over food shortages combined with workers’ grievances,” (Hosking, 2012, p. 91) thus this destroyed Nicholas’s image as Father of Russia. Military became ineffective as the transport system was not adequate, thus leading to food supplies decreasing in key cities such as Petrograd. Historians believe the impacts of the First World War led to Russian society becoming unstable and was ultimately the main reason of the downfall of the Tsar. However other factors, such as the Tsarina placing large amounts of trust into Rasputin who was notorious for his reputation as an alcoholic and a womanizer (Westwood, 2002, p. 215) and the role of the revolutionaries due to Lenin promising peace, land and bread, eventually leading to the growth of the Bolsheviks Party. Although, it can most rightfully be deemed that the impact of the war was the main reason for the fall of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917.

In 1905 and 1917 Russia was tormented by chaotic revolutions. The workers and the intelligentsia had arrived at the point of hating the autocracy because they could no longer endure the suffering, hunger and repression that the tsarist policies brought with them. Years later Lenin referred to the revolution of 1905 as a “dress rehearsal for the October Revolution” of 1917. In 1905 tsardom nearly fell. Nicholas II succeeded in remaining in power, stabilizing the situation, only thanks to various concessions. However, his continuing to rule harshly and unwisely brought him to be forced to abdicate in the February of 1917, signing the end of the Russian monarchy.

Whilst St Petersburg was growing and thriving around him, it seemed as though the Tsar turned his back on the requirements that come with large crowds of people such as, resources, food supplies, housing, etcetera. Due to his closed mindedness the overpopulation of factories, shortages of income and lack of basic necessities became a huge issue. The people stuck in this great poverty began to lose faith in the Tsar and once again sought for a new source of power. Another factor that adds to this cause is the fact that when the Russian society came up with the idea of a government, to help guide the Tsar towards helping his people and modernizing his laws and mindset, he refused to let the people have a say. Nicholas ultimately took away all power from what little government they did set up, called a ‘duma,’ when he set the ‘Fundamental Laws.’ These laws meant that he would overrule all of the duma’s decisions or suggestions. For example, the first law stated, “To the emperor of all the Russias belongs supreme autocratic power.” Then in 1907, the Tsar changed to voting laws to make sure that revolutionaries could not be elected. This meant that all the elected candidates were politicians that were great followers of Nicholas, meaning he got what he wanted. Consequently leaving no way of communication between Nicholas and the lower class of Russia, causing the tragic conditions to continue. As the poor became progressively poorer, malnourished and uncared for the Tsars inaction and lack of sympathy caused a radical

This led to instability in the government and resulted in people seeing reformist groups as an easy way to create change. And therefore people resulted in violence and uprisings put pressure on the Tsar creating a tense revolutionary ready Russia.

As the Russian Nation advanced and progressed over time, a change in opinion about the role of the Tsar was inevitable. A changed perception about the Tsar's role by the people in contrast to Nicholas' personal view of his role remaining the same ultimately made for a factor that can be attributed to the decline. Nicholas' personal qualities and attributes can account for the decline of the Romanov Dynasty. Whilst we cannot blame him for this, one of Nicholas' great faults was that he simply did not possess the qualities required to govern Russia.

It was not overthrown. As in all modern revolutions, the first cracks appear at the top”. The fall of the Romanov Dynasty was due to internal factors as well as new revolutionary ideas. This essay will analyse the effects of different

The beginning of the 20th century brought radical changes to the social and political structure of autocratic Russia. It was a period of regression, reform, revolution and eradication. Eradication of a blood line that had remained in rule for over 300 years; the Romanov Dynasty. The central figure of this eradication was Tsar Nicholas II, often described as an incompetent leader, absent of the “commanding personality nor the strong character and prompt decision which are so essential to an autocratic ruler...” (Sir G. Buchman, British ambassador to Russia from 1910 in H. Seton-Watson, The

Nicholas II abdicated the throne in 1917 up until then, the Russian Royal family had ruled for over three hundred years. Throughout this period, they faced many problems and uneasy predicaments, a lot of these centering on Nicholas II as Tsar. A combination of long and short-term problems led to the decline and eventual fall of the Romanov dynasty. Tsar Nicholas II ignored these issues, staying true to his coronation vow to uphold Autocracy, and therefore played a critical role in the plummet of the Empire.

There are many reasons behind the decline and fall of the Romanov Dynasty but I believe these are the five main reasons why it occurred. The first two reasons are the socio-economic struggle faced by the Russian working class and the disappointment among Russian troops, which can be related to as factors of the First World War. Secondly, another two reasons are the effects of failed reforms and the role of the Siberian freak Rasputin, which can be categorised as reasons, linked to Nicholas II’s leadership. Finally, the last main reason is the mass scale and organisation of protests.

The Tsarist regime, an often barbaric feudal system, was balancing on the eve of collapse even before the outbreak of World War One in 1914. Tsarism has a long and troubled history frequently changing its views and opinions whilst demanding full dedication from its citizens. Tsarism’s woes were amplified at the dawn of the 20th century. Tsarism refused modernisation in a modern world which led to events of historical merit such as the Bloody Sunday Massacre, and the Lena Goldfields massacre. However, World War One did play a significant role in inciting revolution against the Tsarist regime.

The Russian Revolution of February 1917 had an immense, long-term impact on the modern world. Without the causes of the Tsar’s hold on autocracy, Rasputin and World War 1, the Russian revolution would never have happened. This essay will examine the effects of the Tsar’s refusal to reform, Rasputin’s effect on the Tsarina’s reputation and the effects of World War 1 on the moral and opinion of the Russian populace. Not only was Russia an extremely backwards country socially, it was politically as well. Majority of the world’s other powers had adopted a political system of democracy; however, Russia was still an autocratic country, meaning the Tsar was the only person in the country with any real power in government.