http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/rasputin.htm- [Accessed 11/7/13]
· Rasputin (1872-1916) was one of the central figures in Russia's modern history up to the fall of the royal family in 1917. Rasputin achieved huge power in a very short space of time - but that power lead to Rasputin having many enemies within Russia.
· Rasputin had a major hold over the royal family of Russia because of his 'power' to heal the young heir - Alexis. Alexis was a hemophiliac and on two occasions, Rasputin is said to have saved the young boy and won the confidence of the Tsarina, Alexandra.
· He lived as a peasant and was uneducated. In 1901, he left his home in Siberia and soon gained a reputation as a ‘healer’.
· In 1905, he met the tsarina of Russia - Alexandra. She was fascinated by this man who ‘saved’ her son from death and he soon acquired huge influence over the Romanovs. He ensured that his own followers were given powerful positions in the government of Russia despite that they were incompetent.
· World War- the tsar, Nicholas II, left his family to join his troops at the front. He left his wife in charge, which meant that Rasputin was in power.
· His behaviour outraged important noblemen. But his hold over the tsarina was strong. She called him "our friend", and his enemies called him the "Mad Monk".
· Supposedly immune from poison, Rasputin developed a sense of mystery about him. He had "superhuman strength"; he could "drink poison"; he could drink vast quantities of alcohol and never get drunk etc.
· In December 1916, he was murdered by the nobility. However, the shame he had brought onto the royal family is one of the reasons why they were overthrown in February/March 1917.
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/lostsplendor/xx.html - [Accessed 11/7/13]
· End of August 1915, the Grand Duke Nicholas had been relieved of his post as commander-in-chief; the Tsar was taking command of the armies.
· The news was badly received, for everyone knew that pressure had been brought to bear on him by Rasputin, and that this important step had been taken at his instigation.
· Although the Tsar's opposition was weak, it was in Rasputin's interest to remove him as far from St. Petersburg as possible. With the Tsar at the front, he had a clear field.
· From then on, he made daily visits to TsarskoieSelo. His opinions and advice amounted to orders, and were immediately transmitted to General Headquarters. All important measures required his consent. The blind confidence which the Tsarina placed in him caused her to refer the most important and secret matters to him. Through her, Rasputin governed Russia.
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/2006rasputin/index.html - [Accessed 11/7/13]
· Shadowy and mysterious character; possessed contradictory personality traits.
· Doctors and sceptics concluded he possessed some bizarre power over the Tsarevich and his deadly episodes of bleeding. This mysterious ability to heal her son was enough to convince Alexandra, who was very religious, that Rasputin must have been sent by God.
· His influence over politics has been greatly exaggerated. Rasputin was a convenient scapegoat for those who wanted to attack the Tsar's appointments and decisions, but who wouldn't confront Nicholas directly.
· Rasputin was close to the Tsaritsa's closest friend, Anya Vyrubova. Her devotion to him was reinforced after a fatal train accident when Anna was almost killed. Although she survived the accident, Anna's condition was so bad her doctors despaired of saving her life. Rasputin came to her bedside repeating the words, "Annushka, Annushka, rise!". Anna suddenly awoke from her coma, it was a miracle. As Rasputin staggered into the next room, prophetically saying that although she would live, for the rest of her life Anna would be a cripple.
· Rasputin tried to ingratiate himself with other members of the Romanov family, but most of them would have nothing to do with him. Olga, Nicholas sister, resented Rasputin's prying into her private life and rejected his offers of spiritual help in her marital problems.
· A number of influential churchmen fell for Rasputin early in his 'career' as a holy man. Later, these supporters in the church hierarchy turned on him and attempted to send him away from St. Peterburg. Rasputin cunningly knew how to undermine his enemies in the church and soon had them exiled.
· In government affairs Rasputin's power was an illusion, although the Petersburg press boasted about his influence over important government appointments. Gossip claimed he had seduced the Empress, her daughters and Anna Vyrubova. These rumours, which reached the majority of society and were repeated by Alexandra's foes, drove Nicholas to distraction. The remoteness and isolation of the Imperial Family made it possible for the general public to believe these crazy stories, but the aristocracy knew they were groundless. Still they derived pleasure from seeing Alexandra's named dragged through the mud. Rasputin made the talk worse by flaunting the Imperial families gifts, letters and the telephone calls he received from Alexandra asking for his prayers. People believed he had an uncanny control over the Tsar and his wife.
· December 1916, Rasputin was invited by Prince Felix Felixovich Yussupov to visit his palace on the Moika Canal. The pretext was the opportunity for Rasputin to meet Felix's wife, Irina, who was a great beauty and niece of the Tsar. Felix portrayed his murder of Rasputin as a political act to save Russia.
· Rasputin (1872-1916) was one of the central figures in Russia's modern history up to the fall of the royal family in 1917. Rasputin achieved huge power in a very short space of time - but that power lead to Rasputin having many enemies within Russia.
· Rasputin had a major hold over the royal family of Russia because of his 'power' to heal the young heir - Alexis. Alexis was a hemophiliac and on two occasions, Rasputin is said to have saved the young boy and won the confidence of the Tsarina, Alexandra.
· He lived as a peasant and was uneducated. In 1901, he left his home in Siberia and soon gained a reputation as a ‘healer’.
· In 1905, he met the tsarina of Russia - Alexandra. She was fascinated by this man who ‘saved’ her son from death and he soon acquired huge influence over the Romanovs. He ensured that his own followers were given powerful positions in the government of Russia despite that they were incompetent.
· World War- the tsar, Nicholas II, left his family to join his troops at the front. He left his wife in charge, which meant that Rasputin was in power.
· His behaviour outraged important noblemen. But his hold over the tsarina was strong. She called him "our friend", and his enemies called him the "Mad Monk".
· Supposedly immune from poison, Rasputin developed a sense of mystery about him. He had "superhuman strength"; he could "drink poison"; he could drink vast quantities of alcohol and never get drunk etc.
· In December 1916, he was murdered by the nobility. However, the shame he had brought onto the royal family is one of the reasons why they were overthrown in February/March 1917.
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/lostsplendor/xx.html - [Accessed 11/7/13]
· End of August 1915, the Grand Duke Nicholas had been relieved of his post as commander-in-chief; the Tsar was taking command of the armies.
· The news was badly received, for everyone knew that pressure had been brought to bear on him by Rasputin, and that this important step had been taken at his instigation.
· Although the Tsar's opposition was weak, it was in Rasputin's interest to remove him as far from St. Petersburg as possible. With the Tsar at the front, he had a clear field.
· From then on, he made daily visits to TsarskoieSelo. His opinions and advice amounted to orders, and were immediately transmitted to General Headquarters. All important measures required his consent. The blind confidence which the Tsarina placed in him caused her to refer the most important and secret matters to him. Through her, Rasputin governed Russia.
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/2006rasputin/index.html - [Accessed 11/7/13]
· Shadowy and mysterious character; possessed contradictory personality traits.
· Doctors and sceptics concluded he possessed some bizarre power over the Tsarevich and his deadly episodes of bleeding. This mysterious ability to heal her son was enough to convince Alexandra, who was very religious, that Rasputin must have been sent by God.
· His influence over politics has been greatly exaggerated. Rasputin was a convenient scapegoat for those who wanted to attack the Tsar's appointments and decisions, but who wouldn't confront Nicholas directly.
· Rasputin was close to the Tsaritsa's closest friend, Anya Vyrubova. Her devotion to him was reinforced after a fatal train accident when Anna was almost killed. Although she survived the accident, Anna's condition was so bad her doctors despaired of saving her life. Rasputin came to her bedside repeating the words, "Annushka, Annushka, rise!". Anna suddenly awoke from her coma, it was a miracle. As Rasputin staggered into the next room, prophetically saying that although she would live, for the rest of her life Anna would be a cripple.
· Rasputin tried to ingratiate himself with other members of the Romanov family, but most of them would have nothing to do with him. Olga, Nicholas sister, resented Rasputin's prying into her private life and rejected his offers of spiritual help in her marital problems.
· A number of influential churchmen fell for Rasputin early in his 'career' as a holy man. Later, these supporters in the church hierarchy turned on him and attempted to send him away from St. Peterburg. Rasputin cunningly knew how to undermine his enemies in the church and soon had them exiled.
· In government affairs Rasputin's power was an illusion, although the Petersburg press boasted about his influence over important government appointments. Gossip claimed he had seduced the Empress, her daughters and Anna Vyrubova. These rumours, which reached the majority of society and were repeated by Alexandra's foes, drove Nicholas to distraction. The remoteness and isolation of the Imperial Family made it possible for the general public to believe these crazy stories, but the aristocracy knew they were groundless. Still they derived pleasure from seeing Alexandra's named dragged through the mud. Rasputin made the talk worse by flaunting the Imperial families gifts, letters and the telephone calls he received from Alexandra asking for his prayers. People believed he had an uncanny control over the Tsar and his wife.
· December 1916, Rasputin was invited by Prince Felix Felixovich Yussupov to visit his palace on the Moika Canal. The pretext was the opportunity for Rasputin to meet Felix's wife, Irina, who was a great beauty and niece of the Tsar. Felix portrayed his murder of Rasputin as a political act to save Russia.
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