Tsar Nicholas II: Determining Factor In The Decline Of The Romanov Dynasty

Nicholas II’s inability to respond to or embrace change was the determining factor in the decline of the Romanov Dynasty. To what extent is this statement accurate?

Introduction:

The inability of Tsar Nicholas 11 to respond to or embrace political and social change during a time of crisis contributed significantly to the collapse of the Romanov rule over Russia. Nicholas's inability to adapt politically to the October Manifesto and State Duma was a major factor in his inability to embrace the change shown in in Sources D and E. Nicholas' incompetence as an autocratic leader and poor decision-making, particularly during the Russo-Japanese War, as evidenced by sources D. Nicholas's inability to respond to or embrace change such as politically

The October Manifesto and the State Duma were established as a result of the revolution of 1905 and Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday was a peaceful protest for reforms to working conditions, which had deteriorated as a result of the economic downturn and the ongoing war with Japan. Bloody Sunday was the catalyst for the 1905 revolution. After Bloody Sunday, Nicholas hastily drafted the October Manifesto, which demonstrates that he was only concerned with maintaining the loyalty of the people in order to preserve his autocracy. Nicholas published the Fundamental State Laws, which upheld the Tsar's absolute autocracy, four days before the first Duma's opening on April 27. Articles 4 and 9 of the Fundamental State Laws state that "Supreme Autocratic Power belongs to the Emperor" and "no law can come into force without consent," thereby removing the power-sharing provisions of the October Manifesto and demonstrating a refusal to embrace change. Source E of a British cartoon image ridiculing Nicholas's attitude towards the Duma depicts the Tsar's inability to accept change with the Duma. The image portrays Nicholas' reluctance to change his attitude towards the Duma, which failed to satisfy the people and opposition parties and contributed to the revolution and the downfall of the Romanov

The fall of the Romanov Dynasty was largely due to the factors detailed in source D. Nicholas was an inexperienced and incompetent autocratic leader who was unfit to be the Tsar; he told his brother-in-law, "I am not prepared to be Tsae, I never wanted to become one"; this demonstrates his inexperience and incompetence as he was not prepared to be the Tsar, which resulted in numerous poor political decisions. Nicholas' poor decision-making skills were demonstrated politically during the Russo-Japanese War when he confidently went to war with Japan over Port Arthur territory and resources. In exchange for the Korean-empire being within Japan's Sphere of influence, Japan offered to recognise Russia's dominance in Manchuria. Nicholas' refusal resulted in the 1904-1905 war between Russia and Japan, which Russia decisively lost which showed weakness in Russia which led to upset of the people. The defeat of the Russo-Japanese war caused an economic downfall which resulted in the bloody Sunday protest. Nicholas being notorious for disregarding advice, which led to his inexperienced political decision-making, as evidenced by source D. Rodzianko advises the Tsar to form a new government to save the Romanov Dynasty. Nicholas's response, "That fat