The End Of The Romanov Dynasty
This day in history: July 17th, 1918
The rule of Czar Nicholas II was disastrous by any account and highlighted the ultimate, inescapable weakness of monarchy. A country is only as strong as it’s, usually sole, leader. As Nicholas II came of age and came into power it quickly became apparent to everyone around him, and his people, that he was unfit to rule. His weakness on the throne and poor decision making would transform Russia forever and lead to the massacre of his entire family.
The House of Romanov had ruled Russia in whole or in part for three hundred years stretching back to the early 1600s before their demise in 1918. Members of the family, whether via marriage or direct blood, were a part of nearly every ruling family in Europe leading into World War One.
A Disastrous Reign
Nicholas II took the throne as the Emperor of All Russia in 1896 and would be the last person to hold that title. In his early years as emperor, Nicholas II tried to implement modernization programs in order to try and catch up with the rest of Europe, which was rapidly industrializing at the tail end of the 19th century.
