There were many causes of the Bolshevik Revolution. Which do you consider to be the most important?

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Was Rasputin a cause or consequence of Russia’s Problems?

               There were already problems in Russia before Rasputin became a significant figure: Nicholas II was not a strong leader, there was a lack of food, a lot of people were living in horrific conditions in the slums, the 1905 revolution devalued the establishment of Tsarism, the failure to keep the promise of a Duma, the after effects of Bloody Sunday, the increasing popularity of revolutionary parties,  different nationalities and religious groups seeking independence from Russia, the low morale from the defeat in the Russo-Japanese war. In addition to these problems, industry and agriculture in Russia which was around 100 years behind European countries, meaning Russia was in a weak position compared to them. However, Rasputin relation with the Tsarina, Alexis and Nicholas II, had a damaging effect on the Tsarist establishment.

               Rasputin became a significant figure in Russian politics during 1907 when Alexis was very ill with haemophilia. It’s fair to say that any mother with an extremely ill son will go to any length to save her child, so when Rasputin was introduced to Alexis as a religious healer and Alexis started to recover, one can understand why she became so close to him and respected him so greatly. She believed that he had been sent by God to save her son. Over the next few years he became a great friend of the Tsar, Nicholas II, and his family. This, however, had great effects on the Tsars reputation.

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               Rasputin was a holy man from Siberia. He was a member of the Kylysty set, a religious group that believed that religious ecstasy was achieved through the senses. They self-flagellated themselves and sometimes engaged in sexual acts.

               The relationship shocked the government and higher society; most importantly, however, it destroyed the relationship between the Tsar and his most able minister Stolypin. Stolypin was modernising Russia so it was producing food faster and introducing faster machinery in mines and railways. He did however make enemies, but he ...

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