Rasputin was a starets, or holy man, in Russia who gained influence over Tsarina Alexandra and access to the royal family through his purported ability to help treat and cure the Tsarevich Alexei's hemophilia. However, Rasputin's immoral behavior, such as womanizing and lack of hygiene, made him unpopular, especially among political and religious conservatives. His influence over the Tsarina during World War I further alienated the public and increased resentment toward Rasputin and the royal family. While the war's hardships and growing opposition to the Tsarist government from political and revolutionary groups also contributed to its downfall, Rasputin's role in advis

1. Who are the characters in this cartoon? What message is the artist trying to
convey? Clue – focus on the eyes.

2. Who was Rasputin?Who was Rasputin?
 Grigory Efimovitch akaGrigory Efimovitch aka
Rasputin (name meansRasputin (name means
‘disreputable one’)‘disreputable one’)
 StaretsStarets (holy man) &(holy man) &
suspected member ofsuspected member of
Kylysty sect (religiousKylysty sect (religious
fulfilment through sexualfulfilment through sexual
experiences)experiences)
Rasputin. Why did so many people have such respect
for Rasputin?

3. What was he like?What was he like?
 Eyewitness reports referEyewitness reports refer
to transfixing gazeto transfixing gaze
 Lack of hygieneLack of hygiene
 Insatiable sexual appetiteInsatiable sexual appetite
(involving actresses &(involving actresses &
prostitutes)prostitutes)
Why are historians sceptical about some of
the comments on Rasputin’s character &
appearance?

4. Why was he so popular?Why was he so popular?
 Healing powersHealing powers
 Tsarina thought RasputinTsarina thought Rasputin
could cure Alexis ofcould cure Alexis of
haemophiliahaemophilia
 1907 Rasputin first1907 Rasputin first
helped Alexis to recoverhelped Alexis to recover
from bout of illnessfrom bout of illness
 1912 ‘cured’ Alexis via1912 ‘cured’ Alexis via
telegram from outside Sttelegram from outside St
PetersburgPetersburg
Alexis

5. Why was he so unpopular?Why was he so unpopular?
 Immorality shockedImmorality shocked
conservativesconservatives
 Professional jealousyProfessional jealousy
amongst senioramongst senior
ministers, e.g. Stolypinministers, e.g. Stolypin
 Resentment over hisResentment over his
influence over Tsarina,influence over Tsarina,
especially during WWIespecially during WWI
 Tsar censored criticalTsar censored critical
reports in the Pressreports in the Press Chief Minister, Stolypin. Why was
he among Rasputin’s harshest
critics?

6. Why was the TsarWhy was the Tsar
overthrown in Februaryoverthrown in February
1917?1917?
To identify the reasons for growingTo identify the reasons for growing
hostility to Tsarist governmenthostility to Tsarist government
To examine the role of Rasputin in theTo examine the role of Rasputin in the
Tsar’s downfallTsar’s downfall
 Aims

7. Growing oppositionGrowing opposition
 Russian military defeats (e.g. Tannenburg,Russian military defeats (e.g. Tannenburg,
Masurian Lakes)Masurian Lakes)
 Poor organisation, e.g. shortages ofPoor organisation, e.g. shortages of munitionsmunitions
 Growing criticism from political groups &Growing criticism from political groups &
leaders, e.g. Guchkov, Octobrist leader ofleaders, e.g. Guchkov, Octobrist leader of
Central War Industries Committee, as well as AllCentral War Industries Committee, as well as All
Russian Unions of Towns and ZemstvaRussian Unions of Towns and Zemstva
 Miliukov & Progressive Bloc – 2/3 of membersMiliukov & Progressive Bloc – 2/3 of members
of Dumaof Duma

8. Economic problemsEconomic problems
 Inflation: govt. increased circulation of money,Inflation: govt. increased circulation of money,
wages increased at half pace of inflationwages increased at half pace of inflation
 Food shortages: food not reaching cities, grainFood shortages: food not reaching cities, grain
hoarding, poor infrastructurehoarding, poor infrastructure
 Fuel shortages: coal rationed, factories closed,Fuel shortages: coal rationed, factories closed,
winter 1916-17 v. harsh, no fuel for bakeries inwinter 1916-17 v. harsh, no fuel for bakeries in
Petrograd, 1917Petrograd, 1917

9. EXPLAIN THE HARM THAT RASPUTIN DIDEXPLAIN THE HARM THAT RASPUTIN DID
TO TSARISM.TO TSARISM.
In your view, how important a role, comparedIn your view, how important a role, compared
with other factors, did Rasputin and the Tsarinawith other factors, did Rasputin and the Tsarina
play in causing the overthrow of the Tsar?play in causing the overthrow of the Tsar?

10. Unpopularity of Nicholas &Unpopularity of Nicholas &
AlexandraAlexandra
 Supported Tsar’s divine right to govern as anSupported Tsar’s divine right to govern as an
autocratautocrat
 Remote – lived at Tsarskoye SeloRemote – lived at Tsarskoye Selo
 German backgroundGerman background
 Influenced by ministers, esp. Rasputin whilstInfluenced by ministers, esp. Rasputin whilst
Nicholas was at frontNicholas was at front