Throughout the years, many historians as well as history students are interested in knowing the legendary Nicholas II

and his imperial family. There were myths, legends and rumors about the last Romanov ruler. All of these have aroused our

interests and curiosity that we decide to take it as the topic of our project in order to have a deeper understanding.

Focus

1) Nicholas II 2) Empress Alexandra 3) Anastasia

4) Alexie 5) Rasputin

Alexander III

Nicholas II

Olga Marie

Alexander III, wife of

Nicholas

Tatiana Anastasia Alexie

On July 17, 1918, Nicholas Ii and his wife and the five children were tricked to go into the cellar of a house in Yekaterinburg.

Then the Bolsheviks fired continually and brutally at them until they were found dead. However, that’s not the end, the killers tried to burn two of the bodies - but it took too long. They doused the rest of the bodies with sulphuric acid and buried them in a shallow grave in a forest outside the city.

What a terrible and bloody murder!!Indeed, it was a family of endless misfortunes.

“Tsar of the land of Russia, if you hear the sound of the bell which will tell you that Rasputin has been killed, you must know this……. if it was your relations who have wrought my death then no one of your family, that is to say, none of your children or relations will remain alive for more than two years. They will be killed by the Russian people...I shall be killed. I am no longer among the living.”

The Evil Monk

The Tsarevitch, Alexie, fell ill, the attack was severe and both the Tsar and the empress were frantic. Alexie’s illness became Rasputin’s way to get privileges.

"I believe in Rasputin!!"

"It is necessary to have Faith. God alone is thy help……a man can do much." (The Real Tzaristar, LiliDehn)

The “man” was referred to Rasputin by Alexandra

"Tell me, Rasputin, are you really powerful enough to dissolve the Duma? How would you go about it?"

Said by Prince Felix Yussupov.

"Why, my dear fellow, it's perfectly easy; when you become my friend and ally, you'll be told everything. For the time being, I'll tell you this much: the Tsarina has a wise, strong mind and I can get anything and everything from her. As for him (Nicholas II), he's a simple soul. He was not cut out to be a sovereign; he is made for family life, to admire nature and flowers, but not to reign. That's beyond his strength. So, with God's blessing, we come to his rescue."

Rasputin added to the inefficiency of the government.

His influence was a danger

Tzarina was a superstitious and devoted herself to religion.

She could not find the fault of Rasputin but refused to listen toAnyone’s advice.

History had proved to Alexandra that Rasputin was no “saint” but in reality a “holy evil”.

She was spunky, carefree, a rebel girl without a cause, and impish!. However , the family's troubles

overtook Anastasia's teen years.

Baby Anastasia

Anastasia remains a name of mystery.

• Tsar Nicholas II abdicated in 1917

• 11 Bosheviks soldiers were shooting at the imperial family.

• Historians believe that Anastasia might

have not died at all!

• a film called “Anastasia” , the film was based on the true Russian tragedy of the Romanov family.

Anastasia is an engaging and fiery 18-year-old orphan. Torn from the royal Romanov family during the Russian Revolution, young "Anya" is left with no memory of her past.

• many people claimed to be Anastasia .

• The most famous one was Anna Anderson.

• Anderson claimed herself to be Anastasia who was supposed to be killed in 1917.

• Anderson and Anastasia had physical similarities.• a foot deformity like Anastasia's .• Anthropologists found their faces to be very

similar.

Anastasia, 1909

Anna Anderson 1959

Evidence showing that Anna Anderson was not the real

princess:

• all the women who claimed to be Anastasia were proven false.

• professor Riabov finds the remainders of the bones of the Romanovs .

• skeletons together with Anna Anderson’s were tested by DNA .

• genetic proof that Anna Anderson was really Franziska Schwanzkowska, a Polish worker.

Our Opinion on the rumours of Anastasia:

• not reflect the truth • Only a material for interests • DNA testing• Anna Anderson was only an imposter• film ”Anastasia” is only a story created based on the

myths of Anastasia.

her beloved were killed in such an inhumane way. Even if she survived, it would be heart-breaking for her.

The Tragic Hero and his wife

Did Alexandra Influence Nicholas II?

“Weak”, “inefficient”, “impressionable” and ‘religious”, were

words always used to describe the character of Nicholas II who

contributed to the downfall of the Tsardom.

Did Alexandra Influence Nicholas II?

“ Weak”, “inefficient”, “impressionable” and ‘religious”, were words always used to describe the character of Nicholas II who contributed to the downfall of the Tsardom.

Weak character of Nicholas II:

• Autocracy

• the divine right of kings,

• the continued support of the Russian Orthodox Church

• the hatred of Jews into Nicholas.

Bloody Sunday

• we can see his weak-willed• insensitivity

• lack of care for the people.

• Bloody Sunday was a climax

• he did not think that the people wanted or needed him.

How his wife---Alexandra influence on him?

• “In my opinion, things are not quite satisfactory with the Supreme Command of the Baltic Fleet. …..it is necessary to replace him by someone else. The most suitable person would be the young Admiral Nepenin, I have agreed to sign the appointment……. God grant that he may prove worthy of his high position! “

Alexandra wrote:•

“My dear……I have only just received your telegram, in which you inform me that my plan about the war had NOT being carried out. ……to send General Kaledin to Lechitzky and to appoint Gourko commander over all these troops in to deal with the discontent, including the Guards, which, from a military point of view, is quite correct, and with which I thoroughly agree. “

•

Were the couple close??

Alexandra:

• “Dear my love……You letter was a great comfort to me in my loneliness...If I could not hear your sweet voice, at least I could console myself with these lines of your tender love……I bless you & love YOU, nicky, as man was rarely been loved before - & kiss every dearly beloved place & press you tenderly to my own heart……”

Nicholas II:

• “MY OWN BELOVED, DARLING SUNNY……I thank you with all my heart for both dear letters. I am distressed by your ill health, and live in anxiety when I am parted from you. My loneliness is the same as you. My dearest, be prudent and take care of yourself……kiss you with all my heart”

The disaster the Empress brought

• Alexandra came from Germany

• German Princes;

• polluted the blood of the highest Royal family.

• Rasputin, an “evil monk”,

• “cure” the disease of his son Alexi.

• discontent among people.

• . a traditional Russian man rather than a women from other Blood- Germany which were in war with Russia.

WWI• the allies

• the Triple Entente

• different lines.

Use new and different angle to reveal the more interesting parts of the Royal family.

We still respect but feel pity for them since what had happened or suspected to have happened as said was undeniably an unfortunate tragedy.

All in all, Nicholas II and his imperial family have long been controversial characters in history. The abdication of Nicholas II, the Last Czar of Russia and the death of him had marked the end of absolute rule in Russia which was actually a milestone in history.