Tsar Nicholas Ii: Born to Rule, but Was He Fit to Rule?

Tsar Nicholas Ii: Born to Rule, but Was He Fit to Rule?

  • Submitted By: alexat
  • Date Submitted: 03/03/2010 1:57 AM
  • Category: History Other
  • Words: 2185
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Tsar Nicholas II: Born to rule, but was he fit to rule?
When Tsar Nicholas II came to power in 1894 he was determined to rule as an autocrat, in the manner of his father, Alexander III, and his grandfather Nicholas I. However, as a hereditary institution, autocracy depends on the character of the Tsar himself for its success. Nicholas quickly proved an incompetent leader. He was uninterested in affairs of state and he preferred to listen to those advisers who covered up the true conditions in Russia. This led to a misunderstanding of the needs of the Russian people and consequently, the mishandling of events including the Russo-Japanese War, Bloody Sunday, and the 1905 revolution. The October Manifesto and the introduction of a State Duma, reforms which Nicholas introduced in reaction to the 1905 revolution, were half-hearted and insufficient because he never had sincere intentions to his power. Tsar Nicholas II lacked the strength of character and decisive nature to rule successfully as an autocrat, and his poor leadership led to the decline and fall of the Romanov dynasty. He was born to rule, but not fit to rule. However, many historians argue that Tsarism was an outdated institution and, without dramatically reforming, would not have survived the twentieth century, no matter who had inherited the throne. According to these historians, as industrialisation occurred in Russia, Tsarism would follow a similar pattern of demise to the monarchies of Western Europe.
Numerous historians agree Nicholas’ lack of interest in state affairs was a key reason for the failure of his rule. Alexander Kerensky, a member of the Russian parliament, gives insight into the frustration of his colleagues: “The daily work of a ruler he found terribly boring. He could not stand listening long or seriously to minister’s reports.” A prime example of the impact of Nicholas’ lack of interest is the events of Bloody Sunday in1905, which had a devastating effect on the...

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