Nikolai Alexandrovich 2 (May 6, 1868 - July 17, 1918) - the last Russian emperor, who ruled from 1894 to 1917, the eldest son of Alexander 3, and Maria Feodorovna, was an honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences.In the Soviet historiographical tradition he was awarded the epithet "bloody".Nicholas Life 2 and its board are described in this article.
Brief reign of Nicholas 2
During the reign of Nicholas 2 was active economic development of Russia.This sovereign country lost in the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905., Which was one of the causes of the revolutionary events of 1905-1907., In particular the adoption of the Manifesto of October 17, 1905, according to which it was allowed to creation of various political parties, as well as formedThe State Duma.On the same manifesto launched agrarian reform Stolypin.In 1907, Russia became a member of the Entente and its structure is involved in the First World War.In August 1915 2 Nikolai Romanov becomes the supreme commander.During the February Revolution of March 2, 1917 the emperor abdicated.He and his entire family were shot.The Russian Orthodox Church canonized them in 2000.
childhood, his youth
When Nikolai Alexandrovich was 8 years old, began his education at home.The program included general education courses lasting eight years.And then - the course of Higher Sciences for five years.The basis of the program lay grammar school.But instead of Greek and Latin future king mastered botany, mineralogy, anatomy, zoology and physiology.Extensions were courses in Russian literature, history and foreign languages.In addition, the higher education program includes the study of law, political economy and military affairs (strategy, law, service of the General Staff, geography).Nikolai 2 was also engaged in fencing, vaulting, music, painting.3 Alexander and his wife Maria Feodorovna themselves chose for the future king of mentors and teachers.Among them were military and government officials, scientists: N. Bunge, Pobedonostsev, NN Obruchev, MI Dragomirov, NK Giers, AR Drenteln.
Early career
Since childhood, the future Emperor Nicholas 2 was interested in military affairs, he perfectly knew the military regulations and traditions among officers and soldiers did not avoid realizing themselves their mentor patron, easy to carry to camp maneuvers and fees inconvenience Armylife.
Immediately after the birth of the future sovereign recorded several Guards regiments and made commander of the 65th Infantry Regiment of Moscow.At the age of five years, Nicholas 2 (the date of the Board - 1894-1917 gg.), Was appointed commander of the Life Guards Reserve Regiment, and later, in 1875, the Erivan Regiment.The first military rank (lieutenant), the future emperor was in December 1875, and in 1880 he was made a second lieutenant, and four years later - to lieutenant.
on active duty 2 Nicholas arrived in 1884, and since July 1887 he served in the Transfiguration Regiment and reached the rank of captain.He becomes Captain in 1891, and a year later - a colonel.
Home Board
died after a long illness, Alexander 1, 2 and Nicholas on the same day the board received in Moscow at age 26, October 20, 1894.
During his official coronation ceremony May 18, 1896 there have been dramatic developments in the Khodynka field.Riots occurred in spontaneous stampede killed and injured thousands of people.
Khodynka had not been intended for public festivals, because it is a base for training of troops, and so it was neblagoustroeno.Right next to the field was a ravine, and it itself has been covered by numerous wells.On the occasion of the celebration of the pit and ravine covered with boards and covered with sand, and put on the perimeter of shops, booths, stalls for dispensing free vodka and products.When people are attracted by rumors about the distribution of money and gifts, they rushed to the buildings collapsed decks, covering the pit, and the people fell, without having to stand up: they had already fled the crowd.Police, swept away by a wave, could not do anything.Only after reinforcements arrived, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving the area of the body mutilated and trampled people.
first years of the reign
In the early years of the reign of Nicholas 2 were conducted general census of the population, and monetary reform.Russia during the reign of this monarch became an agrarian-industrial state: to build railroads, cities grew, there were industrial enterprises.The Emperor took decisions aimed at social and economic modernization of Russia: was introduced ruble gold treatment, several laws on workers' insurance, carried out agrarian reform Stolypin laws on religious tolerance and universal primary education.
Main events during the reign of Nicholas 2 were marked by a strong worsening in the political life of Russia, and difficult foreign policy situation (the events of the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905, 1905-1907 revolution in our country, the First World War, and in1917 - February Revolution).
Russian-Japanese war, which began in 1904, although the country did not cause much damage, but significantly shaken the authority of the sovereign.After numerous failures and losses in 1905 Tsushima battle ended crushing defeat of the Russian fleet.
Revolution 1905-1907.
January 9th 1905 revolution broke out, that date is called Bloody Sunday.Government troops shot demonstration of workers organized, as is commonly believed, Georgi Gapon, a priest in St. Petersburg transit prison.As a result of the shootings have killed more than a thousand demonstrators took part in a peaceful march to the Winter Palace to submit a petition to the emperor about the needs of the workers.
After this uprising swept many other Russian cities.Military actions were in the Navy and in the Army.So, June 14, 1905 sailors captured the battleship "Potemkin", and brought him to Odessa, where at that time was the general strike.However, the sailors did not dare to go ashore to support the workers."Potemkin" went to Romania and surrendered to authorities.Numerous performances have forced the king to sign a manifesto of October 17, 1905, who gives residents civil liberties.
Not being a reformer by nature, the king was forced to implement reforms that do not fit his beliefs.He believed that Russia has not yet come for the freedom of speech, constitution, universal suffrage.But Nicholas 2 (photos are presented in the article) was forced to sign the Manifesto of October 17 1905, it began active as a social movement for political change.
Establishment of the State Duma
tsar's manifesto in 1906 was established the State Duma.In the history of the first Russian emperor began to rule in the presence of a representative elected body of the population.That is, Russia is gradually becoming a constitutional monarchy.However, despite these changes, the emperor during the reign of Nicholas 2 were still huge powers: he issued in the form of decree laws, appoint ministers and the Prime Minister, reporting only to him, was the head of the court, the army and the patron saint of the Church, defined the foreign policycourse of our country.
first revolution of 1905-1907 showed a deep crisis that existed at that time in the Russian state.
Personality Nicholas 2
terms of his contemporaries, his personality, the main character traits, strengths and weaknesses were quite ambiguous and sometimes controversial cause.According to many of them, Nicholas 2 characterized such important features as a weakness.However, there is ample evidence that the Emperor strived to implement their ideas and initiatives, sometimes reaching up with the stubbornness (only once, when signing the Manifesto of October 17 1905, he was forced to submit to another's will).
In contrast to his father, Alexander 3, Nicholas 2 (see below photo of him) did not create the impression of a strong personality.However, according to close friends with him the people he had exceptional composure, sometimes interpreted as indifference to the fate of the people and the country (for example, with equanimity, is striking surroundings of the sovereign, he met the news of the fall of Port Arthur and the defeat of the Russian army in WorldWar).
engaged in public affairs, Tsar Nicholas 2 showed "extraordinary diligence", as well as care and accuracy (so he never had a personal secretary, and all print letters, he put his own).Although the overall control of a vast power still was for him "a heavy burden".According to contemporaries, Czar Nicholas had 2 tenacious memory, observation and fellowship was affable, modest and sensitive man.Most of all, he cherished his habits at the same time, peace, health, and in particular the welfare of his own family.
2 Nikolai and his family
mainstay of his family served the Emperor.Alexandra was for him not only his wife but also counselor, friend.Their wedding was held 14 November 1894.Interests, views and habits of spouses often do not coincide, largely due to cultural differences, because the Empress was a German princess.However, this did not prevent the family agreement.The couple had five children: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei.
Drama royal family illness was caused by Alexis, who suffered from hemophilia (incoagulability blood).That the disease is the cause of the king's house of Grigory Rasputin, famous for healing and the gift of foresight.He often helped Alexei to cope with bouts of illness.
World War
1914 was a turning point in the fate of Nicholas 2. At that time the First World War.The Emperor did not want this war, trying until the last moment to avoid the carnage.But on July 19 (August 1) in 1914, Germany still decided to go to war with Russia.
In August of 1915, marked by a succession of military setbacks, Nicholas 2, the history of the Board which is already close to the final, took the role of commander in chief of the Russian army.First she was assigned to Prince Nikolai Nikolayevich (Younger).Since then the sovereign only rarely traveled to the capital, spending most of the time in Mogilev, in the headquarters of the Supreme Commander.
First World War strengthened the internal problems of Russia.The main culprit lesions and protracted campaign was seen as the king and his entourage.Some believed that the Russian government "nests treason."The military command of the country headed by the emperor in the beginning of 1917 created a plan for the general offensive on which the summer 1917 it was planned to end the confrontation.
abdication of Nicholas 2
But at the end of February this year, disturbances broke out in Petrograd, who, thanks to the absence of a strong opposition of the authorities, have grown a few days in mass political demonstrations against the king of the dynasty and the government.At first, Nicholas 2 planned by force to achieve order in the capital, but, having understood the true scale of the protests, gave up this plan, fearing further bloodshed that it can cause.Some of the high-ranking officials, politicians and members of the entourage of the sovereign urged him is that to quell unrest necessary changes of government, the abdication of Nicholas 2 from the throne.
After painful reflections March 2, 1917 in Pskov, during a trip to the imperial train, Nicholas 2 decided to sign the act of abdication from the throne, passing the board of his brother, Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich.However, he refused to accept the crown.The abdication of Nicholas 2, thus signifying the end of the dynasty.
last months of his life
2 Nikolai and his family were arrested on March 9 this year.First five months they were in Tsarskoye Selo, protected, and in August 1917 they were sent to Tobolsk.Then, in April 1918, the Bolsheviks moved Nicholas and his family in Yekaterinburg.Here, on the night of July 17, 1918, in the city center, in the basement of the Ipatiev House, where the prisoners were in prison, the Emperor Nicholas 2, his five children, wife, and a few close of the king, including a family doctor Botkin and the servants,without trial were shot.Total killed eleven people.
in 2000 by the decision of the Church of Nikolai Romanov, 2, and his entire family were canonized, and the place of Ipatiev House was built Orthodox church.
