Modern History, the fall of the Romanov dynasty essay PDF

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Explores the causes for the collapse of the Romanov dynasty. n Including references to external issues and Rasputin...

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The inevitable fall of the Romanov Dynasty in the early 20th century was impacted by internal issues due to Tsar Nicholas II together with external issues associated with the war and the manipulation of Tsarina Alexandra with Rasputin. Tsar Nicholas II's ineptitude to rule as Tsar of Russia due to his poor leadership skills and character paired with the manipulation from Tsarina Alexandra in conjunction with Rasputin ultimately led to his demise. Additionally with the loss of World War One, Russia faced economic and social problems acting as a catalyst for the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. Conclusively the fall of the Romanov dynasty was a consequence of an accumulation of both the Tsars conduct and external issues out of his control. Tsar Nicholas II a ruler “wholly unfit to rule” due to his politically weak and indecisive character allowed for periods of political and social unrest in Russia consequently playing a role in the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. Tsar Nicholas II's persistence in upholding autocratic rule deprived the government of effective leadership and coordination due to his incapability to exercise power effectively. Nicholas' character was one that was short, shy and softly spoken lacking the confidence and assertiveness expected of autocratic tsars. His actions after the 1905 revolution, ignored all problems within the country promising an insincere reform in the October Manifesto which ultimately acted as a short term cause for his demise. Additionally his jealous character which despised those that seemed superior deeming those that were inferior better suited for his regime displayed his incapability to rule. His nature allowed for him to abruptly sack ministers and prime ministers if he deemed them as a threat towards his authoritative rule which undermined the system and caused distrust within the government body and Russia as a whole. Ultimately, Tsar Nicholas II’s lack of suitable roles of a leader, led to a catastrophe between both the people and the nation leading to the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. The involvement of the First World War hastened the fall of the Russian empire due to economic and social factors associated with their loss. Russia's participation in the war led to problems with Russia’s domestic economy, the Russian industry and agriculture struggling to cope with the war economy. Food shortages in the cities were heightened by the war due to the focus of the limited railway systems being dedicated to the war efforts. Similarly Russia’s constant losses on the front disheartened soldiers leading to them questioning the capability of their ruler. Problems on the homefront and the warfront led to demonstrations and strikes from the suffering people along with common soldiers who were growing impatient demanding immediate change. Vladmir Lenin capitalised on the social and economic unrest promising peace, land and bread. With the army and police concentrating on the war effort, revolutionaries were able to seek more disgruntled peasants and workers to join their cause which led to the growth of the Bolsheviks. With the large amounts of losses faced by Russia and the disgruntled home front, the First World War acted as a catalyst for the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. Tsar Nicholas II movement from Saint Petersburg in 1915 to take command of the failing Russian Army in World War One saw the rise to power of Tsarina Alexandra along with Raputin. Tsarina Alexandra the wife of Tsar Nicholas II's close relationship allowed for her to influence and manipulate him. She had convinced him that he must hold onto his autocratic power no matter what further fuelling his persistence to withhold all power. With the absence of Nicholas II many rumours about the Tsarina and Rasputin spread, providing her as an easy target for disgruntled

peasants and workers. The Tsarina had become increasingly under the influence of Rasputin who seemingly helped their haemophiliac son which exacerbated her belief that he was a man of God. Rasputin believed the maintenance of autocracy which ultimately negatively affected the Russian hierarchy. Additionally, his position within the monarchy proved a threat to the Duma which led to the Tsarina introducing legislation that further limited their power causing social unrest. Tsarina Alexander’s guidance from Rasputin allowed for the manipulation of the Romanov Dynasty which allowed for its demise. In conclusion, the fall of the Romanov dynasty in 1917 was an accumulation of Tsar Nicholas’ incompetence to rule, the loss of the first world war and Rasputin's manipulation through Tsarina Alexandra. The Romanov Dynasty regime was not stable enough for both internal and external issues which allowed for its demise....