The largest contributing factors towards the spark and growth of the Russian revolution was the royal family themselves. The Romanovs were the rulers of the Russian monarchy for over 300 years. The last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia were Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna. At the time, the Tsar was seen as a divine being and "God on earth". This gave them not only the influence of political strength but also as a religious symbol. Alexandra was a German princess and was married to Nicholas II in 1894. In 1896 Nicholas II was crowned as the Tsar of Russia after his father's sudden death. The couple had four daughters, Tatiana, Maria, Olga and Anastasia. The couple needed a son in order to have an heir for the Russian throne. The Romanovs were extremely religious and honored their Russian Orthadox faith. They began to turn to faith for a son. Finally in 1905, Alexei Romanov was born. He was born with a devastating disease called Hemophilia. This rare blood disorder caused pain and internal bleeding with even the slightest bruise and, without proper treatment usually died before adulthood. Looking for a cure caused the Tsarina Alexandra to search for a religious answer to her sons ailment, leading her to Rasputin.
Grigori Rasputin was a Siberian born "Miracle Worker" who was regarded as a psychic and faith healer in Russia. He was called upon by Tsarina Alexandra
to help her youngest child Alexei with his disease, Hemophilia. When Rasputin is
presented with the young prince, his pain dissapears. This convinces Alexandra
that faith is her answer. As Rasputin continues to heal Alexei, his influences on
the royal family grows. The royal couple begins to use Rasputin as their unofficial advisor and consults him on many political and religious matters. When Nicholas decided to go to war with his country, he ignores Rasputin's advice when he warns of great despair for Russia if he were to leave. Nicholas's departure sparks the beginning of awful rumors that inevitably agitate an already angry Russian populous.
to help her youngest child Alexei with his disease, Hemophilia. When Rasputin is
presented with the young prince, his pain dissapears. This convinces Alexandra
that faith is her answer. As Rasputin continues to heal Alexei, his influences on
the royal family grows. The royal couple begins to use Rasputin as their unofficial advisor and consults him on many political and religious matters. When Nicholas decided to go to war with his country, he ignores Rasputin's advice when he warns of great despair for Russia if he were to leave. Nicholas's departure sparks the beginning of awful rumors that inevitably agitate an already angry Russian populous.
Vladimir Lenin was involved in Anti-tsarist movements, he had a law degree and was into radical politics. He became a Marxist and moved to Saint Petersburgh, he became a member of the Russian social democratic party. He was arrested and sent to Serbia for three years. He got married to Nadezhda Krupskaya and traveled around Europe and be came know as a prominent party leader.He returned to Russia in 1905 during protests and encouraged violent insurrection. He later returned again in 1917 when the tsar was overthrown and he helped in orchestrating the October revolution in 1917. He became the leader of the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic. With the new government under his control, it immediately instigated socialist reforms in Russia including returning crown lands to working soviets.
The Bolsheviks were the group of revolutionaries that seized power
in 1917 and where called anti-patriots and anti-nationalist. The
Bolsheviks were a faction of the marxist of the RSDLP (Russian Social Democratic Labor Party). They ultimately became the communist part of the soviet union. The Bolsheviks came into power during the october revolution in russia and were led by Vladimir Lenin. They were known for representing the working class instead of the aristocrats. They
were a people oriented leadership that took power of Russia when the tsar was
overthrown.
in 1917 and where called anti-patriots and anti-nationalist. The
Bolsheviks were a faction of the marxist of the RSDLP (Russian Social Democratic Labor Party). They ultimately became the communist part of the soviet union. The Bolsheviks came into power during the october revolution in russia and were led by Vladimir Lenin. They were known for representing the working class instead of the aristocrats. They
were a people oriented leadership that took power of Russia when the tsar was
overthrown.
Response of the people
The royal family's reliance on Rasputin for political advice did not sit well with other government officials or the aristocrats. They didnt like that a peasant and supposed faith healer was influences political decisions. When Nicholas II went off to war, Alexandra was left with no support and a ailing son. She turned to Rasputin for support and assistance with political decision making. Rumors were spread that the Tsarina and Rasputin were involved in an affair with each-other. More rumors stated that Rasputin was put in control of major political movements. These rumors spread quickly enraging the public. The crown was losing the respect of the citizens and of their fellow aristocraty. This coupled with Rasputins reputation as a womanizer and a rampant drunk caused the aristocraty to plan Rasputins assassination in order to attempt to patch up the scandal Alexandra was now a part of. Rasputin was shot and his body discovered in a river. However, the death of Rasputin did not reconcile the respect of the royals with the peasants. This loss of respect was one major contributor to the revolution and fueled the fire of the protestors.