The Growth of Opposition
The effects of the Russo-Japanese War |
The Russo-Japanese war had a significant impact on Russia internally and externally. The diversion of more and more resources to the war effort and the large amounts of casualties led to growing discontent within Russia. Increasingly, the Tsar was seen as unable or unwilling to listen to the plight of the average person, most of whom were peasants struggling to make ends meet.
The idea that the ruler of the nation is too far removed from the realities of everyday life had in the past sparked revolution in Europe. The most famous of these cases is of the French Revolution, whereby a multitude of factors including war and the growing difference between the rich and poor contributed the overthrow of the monarchy. Surely the Tsar would have realised that the power of the people should not be underestimated. The Tsar was reminded of this in 1905 when discontent within Russia reached the brink. Reluctantly, the Tsar had to address the concerns of the people if he wanted to remain secure in his position and safe from violent revolution. The Tsar and the nation were deeply humiliated by defeat. The Russo-Japanese war was the first instance that a European power was defeated by an Asia nation. Russia’s military weakness (stemming from many internal issues such as transportation, resources and materials) was only intensified with the advent of World War I which demanded so much more of the state and the people. |
Rasputin |
Rasputin was the source of much controversy in Russia at the turn of the century. Coming into the lives of the royal family as a holy man of God, the Tsarina believed that Rasputin had saved Alexis’ life. Alexis’ entire life had been plagued by sickness, with the Tsarina insisting that Rasputin remain close to the family in case of Alexis’ condition deteriorating in the future. As time went on, Rasputin’s influence over the royal family increased. Stories of Rasputin’s immoral behaviour spread throughout the population with many distrustful of his intentions. His closeness to the royal family allowed Rasputin a significant level of power, and he began to give the Tsar and Tsarina political advice after the death of the chief political advisor Stoylpin. As his power grew, the population’s hatred of him increased. Newspapers printed stories about Rasputin’s immoral behaviour but the royal family refused to believe it. The ignorance of the royal family only served to increase the people’s discontent with their ineffective rulers. Some argue that Rasputin was responsible for the appointment of a number of weak political leaders, through his influence over the royal family. Aware of the growing opposition, it is rumoured that Rasputin warned the royal family that terrible things would happen to them should he be murdered. This rumour, along with other aspects of Rasputin’s life and character, has been taken up in popular culture. Many would have seen the film Anastasia. While historically inaccurate, it points to the enduring fascination with the fall of the Romanov dynasty. Below on the left is a clip from the film showing Rasputin as the ‘Mad Monk’ who had cursed the royal family. Below on the right is the song Rasputin by Boney M, there are some historical elements to this song, however his status as a ladies man is somewhat overplayed. |
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Lyrics for the Boney M song can be found at http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/boneym/rasputin.html
References for this page
Anderson, M., Low, A. & I. Keese (2007). Retrospective: Year 11 Modern History. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Bobby Farrell Memorial (2011, January 19). Boney M- Rasputin [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTVWXYctoY
Boney M (1978). Rasputin. Retrieved from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/boneym/rasputin.html
Kowner, R. (E.d.) (2007). Rethinking the Russo-Japanese War 1904-05. Folkestone: Global Oriental Ltd.
Massie, R. (1967). Nicholas and Alexandra: the Last Tsar and his Family. London: Head of Zeus Ltd.
Movie Clips (2015, May 18). Anastasia 2/5 Movie CLIP- In the Dark of the Night 1997 [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPwdUzG03SQ
Open Websites University of Texas (n.d.) The Russian Revolution of 1917: Editorial cartoons. Retrieved from https://ows.edb.utexas.edu/site/kmb2277edc370s/editorial-cartoons
Proctor, H. (1995). Ruling Russia: From Nicholas II to Stalin. Melbourne: Longman.
Walder, D. (1973). The Short Victorious War: The Russo-Japanese Conflict 1904-5. Devon: Readers Union Limited.
Anderson, M., Low, A. & I. Keese (2007). Retrospective: Year 11 Modern History. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Bobby Farrell Memorial (2011, January 19). Boney M- Rasputin [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTVWXYctoY
Boney M (1978). Rasputin. Retrieved from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/boneym/rasputin.html
Kowner, R. (E.d.) (2007). Rethinking the Russo-Japanese War 1904-05. Folkestone: Global Oriental Ltd.
Massie, R. (1967). Nicholas and Alexandra: the Last Tsar and his Family. London: Head of Zeus Ltd.
Movie Clips (2015, May 18). Anastasia 2/5 Movie CLIP- In the Dark of the Night 1997 [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPwdUzG03SQ
Open Websites University of Texas (n.d.) The Russian Revolution of 1917: Editorial cartoons. Retrieved from https://ows.edb.utexas.edu/site/kmb2277edc370s/editorial-cartoons
Proctor, H. (1995). Ruling Russia: From Nicholas II to Stalin. Melbourne: Longman.
Walder, D. (1973). The Short Victorious War: The Russo-Japanese Conflict 1904-5. Devon: Readers Union Limited.