On this day in 1868 Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia, was born. His reign is connected to many major developments such as World War 1 and the foundation of communist Russia.

Nicholas II became tsar at the age of 26 after his father had died relatively young. He was facing a big challenge as he was not prepared for this role and with Russia in need of reform. While many Western countries had been modernizing their economies, political systems and changed into industrial societies, Russia was still a traditional society with a large group of serfs working for a small group of aristocrats ruled by the absolutist Tsar. People were calling for change.

Nicholas II was not fond of the growing protests and became known as ‘the Bloody’ for his brutal responses. He did however manage to implement some reforms mainly due to his competent ministers. This was not enough in the eyes of many, and protests turned into a revolution in 1905 after Russia was humiliated in the Russo-Japanese war. Bigger reforms were implemented such as a parliament (the Duma) and a new constitution.   

Meanwhile, there were also family problems. His only son and heir suffered from haemophilia. The mystic/charlatan Grigori Rasputin miraculously healed the boy and became close to the imperial couple.

In 1914 WW1 began and things soon started to get worse for Nicholas. As the war progressed, Russia started to lose more men and ground. The war also caused economic problems. To save Russia, Nicholas took over the command, but now the failure of the army was blamed on him. The queen and Rasputin were also blamed for the problems.  

In 1917 the mounting tensions became too much. The people demanded ‘peace, bread and land’, Nicholas II abdicated, and the monarchy was abolished. After the communists took over during the October revolution, Nicholas II and his family were placed under house arrest in a villa in Yekaterinburg while a civil war started.

In 1918 the whole royal family was executed. According to the legends, one daughter, named Anastasia, escaped this fate and many people have claimed to be her. There is also a Disney movie about her with a happy end and very evil Rasputin.

Originally posted on Instagram on May 18, 2022