Rasputin and Alexandra

“Nicholas II had a romantic vision of him leading his army. Therefore, he spent much time at the Eastern Front” (http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/russia_and_world_war_one.htm). Nicholas’s departure was detrimental to the Romanov family because Nicholas’s absence left the Tsarina, Alexandra, in charge.

Alexandra’s control had many different nuances and none of them were good. Alexandra had 5 children, 4 girls and 1 boy whose name was Alexis. As the Tsarina Alexandra’s first, and most important, job had been accomplished; she had provided a seemingly healthy male heir. However, things took a turn for the worse when Alexis was found to have hemophilia, a disease that prevents blood from clotting. The royal doctors were unable to help him, which is when she turned to Rasputin, a self proclaimed holy man who was rumored to be able to cure people. Neither Rasputin nor Alexandra liked the Duma, Alexandra was a firm believer in the autocracy and Rasputin knew that if the Duma gained too much power his position in society would take a hit. As long as Alexis was sick Rasputin would have control over the Tsarina, who, in turn, had control over her husband (last paragraph).

World War I also aroused the Russian population’s suspicions as to where Alexandra’s loyalties were. In her husbands absence she quickly fired many ministers and replaced them with other, less capable people, hired essentially Yes Men to Rasputin. The population quickly came to the conclusion that Alexandra was a German spy, hell-bent on destroying Russia. Alexandra and Rasputin’s rule was a huge factor in the Tsar’s abdication and eventual execution.