How Significant was the role played by Tsarina Alexandra in the fall of Tsarism?

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Alka Sharma                Unit 4 Mrs Fahey

How Significant was the role played by Tsarina Alexandra in the fall of Tsarism?

March 13th 1917 denotes the day on which Tsar Nicholas II was recommended to abdicate the throne by the Russian Army High Command. Following the recommendation, which Tsar Nicholas II had received, March 15th 1917 he formally declared an abandonment of the throne, which therefore placed an end on the 300-year-old Romanov dynasty. There are many causes, which contributed towards the downfall of Tsarism; one of the many causes being the Tsar’s wife, Tsarina Alexandra who ruined the ruined reputation of the monarchy whilst Nicholas was away at the Frontline during World War One.

With the Tsarina having to take control of Russia, and the way in which it was governed was difficult especially as the Russian population did not want to conform to her ruling. The Tsarina herself was not considered to be very popular; her origins of being German angered the Russian population, especially due to the war period, so there was an anti German feeling that was created. The Tsarina’s German background made people suspect that the Tsarina was acting as a spy. “Today and officer telephoned to ask when England was going to rid Russia of the ‘German woman’” [1], which of course was a reference made to the Empress. This quote reflects that whilst having no popularity amongst the Russian population, Tsarina Alexandra wasn’t portrayed as Royalty, so therefore was given little respect if she was instead known as the ‘German Woman’. “…When the Russians are beaten, papa cries. When the Germans are beaten mama cries...” [2] This is a source which was written by Bruce Lockhart, who had kept a diary whilst staying in Moscow in 1915.

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The use of the word ‘German’ in [1] denotes the Tsarina as being implied as a foreigner within Russia, almost as if an animal that had been lost, and was to be returned to its rightful owner, which in this case is Germany. [2] further provides an insight from the Tsarina’s own son, that she would cry over the German defeats, and this of course questioned as to whether she was on the side of the country which she was ruling, Russia, or her place of birth Germany. Her tears from German defeats can also question whether the negative rumours if ...

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