Case Study 1 - The Decline and Fall of the Romanov Dynasty

Origins of the Russian Empire

• The Russian Empire started in the 1500s with a leader named Ivan the Terrible.

• In 1613, the Romanov family became the rulers of Russia and stayed in power for over 300 years.

• A leader named Peter the Great in the late 1600s worked to make Russia more modern and built a new capital city called St. Petersburg.

Nature of the Russian Empire

• The Tsars (Russian kings) had total control over everything in the country.

• Russia became a huge empire that covered a lot of land and had many different kinds of people.

• Most people in Russia were poor farmers called serfs, who worked for landowners.

Relationships with foreign powers - Expansion

• Russia fought wars and took land from other countries nearby, like the Ottoman Empire and Sweden.

• A ruler named Catherine the Great added even more land to the empire.

Relationships with foreign powers - Diplomacy

• Russia made alliances (friendships) with other countries, especially during wars like the Napoleonic Wars (when Napoleon from France tried to take over Europe).

• Russia also interacted with countries like China, Persia, and Japan.

Relationships with foreign powers - Decline in Relations

By the 1800s and early 1900s, other countries didn’t like how Russia was ruled, and there was tension.
Russia lost a war against Japan in 1904-1905 (Russo-Japanese War), which hurt its reputation.

The Romanov empire at the time of Nicholas II - Political grievances

• Autocratic rule (no parliament or democracy)
  
  

• Lack of political reform, repression of opposition (e.g. secret police)

The Romanov empire at the time of Nicholas II - Economic grievances

• Widespread poverty, especially among peasants
  
  

• Poor working conditions and low wages for industrial workers
  
  

• Unequal land distribution

The Romanov empire at the time of Nicholas II - Social grievances

• Huge gap between rich and poor
  
  

• Peasant hardships and urban overcrowding
  
  

• Ethnic minorities faced discrimination

The role of Nicholas II as autocrat

• Held absolute power (no limits on authority)
  
  

• Weak, indecisive leadership
  
  

• Resisted reform and change
  
  

• Poor handling of crises (e.g. 1905 Revolution, WWI, Russo Jap. War)

Why did opposition to the Romanovs develop

Autocratic rule: The Tsar had absolute power, and many people wanted more say in government. Harsh repression: The secret police (Okhrana) punished anyone who spoke out, creating anger and fear. Economic hardship: Poverty, poor working conditions, and food shortages caused unrest. Unfair social system: Huge gap between rich and poor made people feel the system was unjust. Bloody Sunday (1905): Peaceful protesters were shot by the Tsar’s troops, turning many people against him. Failure of reforms: Promised reforms after 1905 (like the Duma) were limited and ignored by the Tsar. War failures: Defeats in the Russo-Japanese War and World War I damaged trust in the Tsar’s leadership. Rise of revolutionary groups: Groups like the Bolsheviks gained support by promising change and equality.

What was the role of WW1 in the collapse of the dynasty

• Military defeats (e.g. Battle of Tannenberg) weakened morale and confidence in leadership.
  
  

• ❌ Nicholas II took direct command of the army—was blamed for failures.
  
  

• ❌ Economic strain—shortages of food, fuel, and inflation due to war spending.
  
  

• ❌ Transport system collapsed, leading to hunger in cities.
  
  

• ❌ Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin damaged royal image while Nicholas was away.
  
  

• ➡ War highlighted existing weaknesses—WWI acted as a catalyst for revolution.
  
  Military defeats (e.g. Battle of Tannenberg) weakened morale and confidence in leadership.
  
  

• ❌ Nicholas II took direct command of the army—was blamed for failures.
  
  

• ❌ Economic strain—shortages of food, fuel, and inflation due to war spending.
  
  

• ❌ Transport system collapsed, leading to hunger in cities.
  
  

• ❌ Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin damaged royal image while Nicholas was away.
  
  

• ➡ War highlighted existing weaknesses—WWI acted as a catalyst for revolution.
  
  

Outline the transfer of power from the Romanov regime to the Provisional Government

February/March 1917: Mass protests and mutiny in Petrograd.

Army refused to fire on protesters—Nicholas II abdicated on 2 March 1917.

Provisional Government formed by liberal Duma members.

Power shared with Petrograd Soviet (known as "Dual Power").

The Provisional Government promised elections, civil rights, but kept Russia in WWI—led to public dissatisfaction.

Outline the execution of the Romanovs

• July 17, 1918, in Ekaterinburg by Bolsheviks.
  
  

• Carried out by local Soviets under Lenin’s approval.
  
  

• Fear that advancing White Army would rescue them.
  
  

• Family and servants shot and buried in secret.
  
  

• Symbolised the end of monarchy and rising power of the Bolsheviks.
  
  

• Remains found and identified decades later—debate over whether Lenin ordered it directly.