History Coursework
Was size the most important reason in making the Russian Empire of Tsar Nicholas II so difficult to rule in the years before the outbreak of the First World War? (1914)
The Romanov Tsar Nicholas II faced many difficulties when ruling Russia before the First World War. Though the size of the country was a very important reason for this, there were also many others. These included the different Nationalities and social groups inside the country, and also the fact Russia had poor trade and industrial works. Another reason was the weak Tsar himself and his corrupt government. This I believe to be the most important reason. Nevertheless it was not solely his fault as many other factors were involved. In the following paragraphs I hope to prove this.
Firstly, I will start with what I believe to be the main reason, and that is that the Tsar was not a strong or powerful leader. He was much more of a family man (see right) but unexpectedly became Tsar at the early age of 26, following the death of his father Alexander of liver disease.. He was neither mentally or physically strong and he lacked the leadership and conference skill. He also lacked authority and never made up his mind. These were not the skills that are needed to running a country as big and as unsuccessful as Russia. However he ruled as an autocrat and believed God had made him Tsar and that he had absolute authority to rule Russia. He had the support of the autocracy who owned the land, Church and the army. But he also had opposition these included the Liberals, Social Revolutionaries and Social Democrats. The liberals wanted an elected government to run with the Tsar while the other two wanted to end his rule. Overall I believe as he and his government were weak the county was weak and open to any attack. Whenever he did feel threatened in his own country he would send out the Cossacks who were skilled mounted soldiers who would slaughter and kill anyone that opposed him. He also used the secret police, the Okhrana to spy on people and crush any dissent. This was never a good idea as ordinary people would see this as the only way of living and might be encouraged to start a revolution. With Russia being in the state it was this could affect the whole county.