Nicholas II

Accession & Reign

Accession & Reign

On October 20, 1894On October 20, 1894, upon the death of his father, Alexander III, he was crowned king of Russia and in 1896 he was officially crowned the Tsar (Emperor) of Russia.

On January 5, 1905On January 5, 1905, a peaceful protest by workers was organized by a priest called George Gapon, in St. Petersburg, who was demanding the improvement of the working conditions for the workers. However, it turned bloody when soldiers began firing at the protesters. Ninety-two people died and hundreds were injured. This day has since been referred to as ‘Blood Sunday’ in the history of Russia.

At the outbreak of World War I, Russia, which was not prepared for the war, suffered huge casualties. The Tsar appointed himself the commander-in-chief of the military and was away from his residence from 1915 till August 1917.1915 till August 1917.

In February 1917In February 1917, the citizens rioted at St. Petersburg, demanding utmost attention to the deteriorating situation in Russia. The legislative body, Duma forced the Tsar to give up his throne, which he did on March 15, 1917.March 15, 1917.

Accession & Reign

On October 20, 1894, upon the death of his father, Alexander III, he was crowned king of Russia and in 1896 he was officially crowned the Tsar (Emperor) of Russia.

Nicholas II had very little knowledge of the state-of-affairs and was unable to manage his kingdom well. In 1904, when Russia was attacked at Port Arthur by Japan owing to a long-running dispute, the king's army had to surrender. Shortly, after, he parleyed with the Japanese, even though his army had suffered a huge loss.

On January 5, 1905, a peaceful protest by workers was organized by a priest called George Gapon, in St. Petersburg, who was demanding the improvement of the working conditions for the workers. However, it turned bloody when soldiers began firing at the protesters. Ninety-two people died and hundreds were injured. This day has since been referred to as ‘Blood Sunday’ in the history of Russia.

Following this incident, workers all over Russia went on a strike and in order to suppress them Nicholas II sent his troops. Forced to concede, he created an elected legislature called ‘Duma’.

At the outbreak of World War I, Russia, which was not prepared for the war, suffered huge casualties. The Tsar appointed himself the commander-in-chief of the military and was away from his residence from 1915 till August 1917.

During this time the administration fell in the hands of Empress Alexandra who depended a lot on Grigori Rasputin, a sorcerer, healer and advisor. Many ministers resigned and they were replaced by the candidates chosen by the Empress on the advice of Rasputin.

The Tsar had already lost favor with his countrymen. The war had wreaked havoc on the Russians, as poverty and inflation prevailed and the Emperor was blamed for it all.

In February 1917, the citizens rioted at St. Petersburg, demanding utmost attention to the deteriorating situation in Russia. The legislative body, Duma forced the Tsar to give up his throne, which he did on March 15, 1917.

He, along with his family, was put under house arrest and on July 17, 1918 the family was executed by the Bolsheviks, a section of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, who had sent a firing squad for the purpose.

Who was Nicholas II?

Who was Nicholas II?

Who was Nicholas II?

The last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II was an infamous king who was executed at the age of 50. Ascending to the throne at the age of 26, after the unexpected death his father, Nicholas proved to be an incapable emperor for the vast and sprawling kingdom of Russia. In fact, the Tsar himself admitted his disinterest and inability to rule and confided in his close friend/associate “I am not prepared to be a tsar. I never wanted to become one. I know nothing of the business of ruling.” To add to his encumbrance, this ill-fated emperor was to face the World War I, the outcome of which proved to be fatal for him and his family. His failure in representing the Russian army effectively in the war was the turning point of his life, where most of his ministers turned against him and he earned the wrath of the public. On his return from the war, he was forced to abdicate his title and was put under house arrest, before being executed. He has been, time and again, condemned for his lack of intellect in the political affairs and has been criticized as a “tyrant, who paid with his life for the age-old repression and arbitrary rule of his ancestors over the Russian people, over the impoverished and blood-soaked country”.