Monarchy and Restoration; Rival Families and Claimants

[lexi4]

Most people don't even know that Russia is a monarchy.

I would be interested in reading your reasoning behind this statement.

On the topic overall, I think it is easy, especially in the West, to think we know what another nation needs. However, our perspective is limited to our own understanding and experiences. One cannot really consider this question without some idea of the Russian "pschye."
The reality right now is that probably very few Russians are considering whether they need a democracy, monarchy or autocracy. They are merely trying to survive.
Lexi

 

[Picmajik]

Taft is correct

In addition to the theme of "false myths", - I have found out recently, that the President of USA Taft (? – I don’t know English transcription of his name) in 1912 has told about Nicholas II:
"Russian emperor has created such perfect working legislation of what any democratic state till now cannot brag".
Really, the social status of workers in Russia those years was rather good (relatively Europe and USA). Nicholas conducted active social policy for improvement of position of city workers at factories. Whether you know, that till 1905 the police frequently acted on the side of workers in their conflicts against employers (during strikes)? It was Nicholas's internal policy.
Boris

President William Howard Taft (1909-1913) who became a Supreme Court justice after serving as President.
I was always led to believe that Nicholas was weak and not a good manager. I am glad to hear that he did have some successes and if not for the Great War and other mistakes might have made a go of things.

 

[BorisRom]

... I was always led to believe that Nicholas was weak and not a good manager. I am glad to hear that he did have some successes and if not for the Great War and other mistakes might have made a go of things.

Yes, Picmajik, and please, read my post 89 (10-13-2007):
ACHIEVEMENTS of Russia during the period of Nicholas's II reign :
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f80/does-russia-really-need-monarchy-11603-5.html
Regards
Boris

 

[COUNTESS]

Nicholas II, as his forbears were autocrats. Nicholas was not an evil person, nor do I think he wished any harm to come to anyone, but he couldn't run anything, least of all government well. Forget about WWI, the Russo-Japanese War was another debacle for him. As for workers being better off than their counterparter in Europe is really not true. They didn't revolt not once, but twice, because of the condtions were so good. 1905 was just the beginning and could have been the end, if conditions were met, a decent Duma set up. The troops and police, often sided with the strikers, that is true, but not because of the Tsar. Because, they, too, realized the conditions. In 1916, had Nicholas aceeded to the requests by the Duma, revolution might have been averted then. But he stuck to his autocratic ideas, spurred on by his neurotic wife and Rasputin. Russia is well rid of the monarchy. What the Russian people need is a good government that they can have confidence in and is approved of by the majority. It could have social values or be a republic, or be both.

 

[lexi4]

I do agree that Nicholas, had he any sense, could have avoided the Revolution. But he could not let go of the idea that he alone was destined by God to rule the Russian people. And his wife couldn't let go her low opinion of the Russian people. I don't think Nicholas was evil, just inept. He made the wrong move at every turn.

 

[COUNTESS]

Correct assessment, Lexi. They had no skill at governing and believed all the "ordained by God" stuff. He never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

 

[lexi4]

President William Howard Taft (1909-1913) who became a Supreme Court justice after serving as President.
I was always led to believe that Nicholas was weak and not a good manager. I am glad to hear that he did have some successes and if not for the Great War and other mistakes might have made a go of things.

I wouldn't put to much stock in what Taft said especially since the quote is not given in context. Taft was a politician who might say one thing publicly, given the right circumstances, and something else privately. In my research, this is the only reference that I've found that Taft made any comment about Nicholas. So either he was playing politics or he was completely ignorant of conditions in Russia. His only interest in Russia was in being able to "buy" or "lease" the railroads so he could create more trade with China and protect China from Japan. Russia ended up forming an alliance opposing Taft. So I would imagine his compliment to Nicholas was far from genuine.

 

[BorisRom]

I wouldn't put to much stock in what Taft said especially since the quote is not given in context. Taft was a politician who might say one thing publicly, given the right circumstances, and something else privately. In my research, this is the only reference that I've found that Taft made any comment about Nicholas. So either he was playing politics or he was completely ignorant of conditions in Russia. His only interest in Russia was in being able to "buy" or "lease" the railroads so he could create more trade with China and protect China from Japan. Russia ended up forming an alliance opposing Taft. So I would imagine his compliment to Nicholas was far from genuine.

Lexi and Countess (and all here),
My grandfather (Paul Romanov) was born in 1880 in the Yaroslavl province (he died in 1942). I know, that he has arrived to St.-Petersburg per 1900 and worked till 1920 as simple worker at a factory. In a year after arrival in St.-Petersburg he lived with family in a separate two-room apartment. By 1913 they had four children. The grandfather worked one (the grandmother was engaged in housekeeping). The grandfather earned enough money and family was in well-being. He was not exception. Fair hardworking workers (not drunkards and not idlers) lived well till 1917. In 1907-1914 the workers lived well (at least, much better than after 1917).
I know all this from stories of my relatives which knew the grandfather and its family.
Revolution was madness of Petrograd.
The grandfather has been involved in this madness too. He wanted socialism and communism. He has believed in illusions of the Bolshevism and communism. Of course, I don't condemn him, - he was honest simple worker.
Boris
P.S. All of us we can consider as our luck, that I'm 62 years old and that I know the truth about that time in Russia directly from the parents (not only from president Taft and from Winston Churchill) .

 

[Mermaid1962]

Is one of the problems in governing Russia simply that the country is so large and has so many ethnic groups? Whether a President of a Tsar is at the top, they have the same geography to work with.

 

[COUNTESS]

Dear Boris, all those people in 2 rooms is hardly good living conditions. My gandmother fled Russia with three small children, one of them my mother, right after the war. WWI. My grandmother died in 1972. She fled terrible conditions and was glad to come to the United States, where her children could grow up without "fear" and be well fed and get a good education, even though my grandmother did not have much money. My mother was only 6 when she came here and does not remember Russia at all. The revolt did not just take place in St. Peterburg, it took place all over the country. People wanted a better life. Did they get it? It depends on your interpretation. Why is Russia so difficult to rule? I guess the mutiple ethic groups that have never homogonized into one people is a problem. The U.S. is large and we have regional difference, but we are all basically the same, even though we come from such different background. We are all Americans, in the end. So, maybe that is the problem.

 

[lexi4]

Lexi and Countess (and all here),
My grandfather (Paul Romanov) was born in 1880 in the Yaroslavl province (he died in 1942). I know, that he has arrived to St.-Petersburg per 1900 and worked till 1920 as simple worker at a factory. In a year after arrival in St.-Petersburg he lived with family in a separate two-room apartment. By 1913 they had four children. The grandfather worked one (the grandmother was engaged in housekeeping). The grandfather earned enough money and family was in well-being. He was not exception. Fair hardworking workers (not drunkards and not idlers) lived well till 1917. In 1907-1914 the workers lived well (at least, much better than after 1917).
I know all this from stories of my relatives which knew the grandfather and its family.
Revolution was madness of Petrograd.
The grandfather has been involved in this madness too. He wanted socialism and communism. He has believed in illusions of the Bolshevism and communism. Of course, I don't condemn him, - he was honest simple worker.
Boris
P.S. All of us we can consider as our luck, that I'm 62 years old and that I know the truth about that time in Russia directly from the parents (not only from president Taft and from Winston Churchill) .

Boris, I think you place way too much emphasis on one statement made by Taft. You have consider the context and the politics of the time. All Taft wanted from Nicholas was the railroad. The fact remains that Nicolas was an inept ruler and was unable to see what was going on around him. It is said that one relies on the few words of two masterful politicians to justify Nicholas's rule.

 

[BorisRom]

Dear Boris, all those people in 2 rooms is hardly good living conditions. <...> The revolt did not just take place in St. Peterburg, it took place all over the country. People wanted a better life. Did they get it? It depends on your interpretation. <...>

Oh, dear Countess!
Certainly, under modern standards it is hardly good living conditions. However, for the beginning of XX centuries it were rather quite good conditions for workers.
Besides, after 1917 and down to 1970th years (!) the majority of people in large cities of Russia lived in «municipal/common apartments» (several families in one apartment, - up to 10-15 families (!), with one Water Closet!). Till now approximately 5-7 % of people in Petersburg are living in municipal/common apartments!
Bolsheviks in 1917-1937 have ruined villages that poor peasants have left villages and go to factories in large cities. Bolsheviks pursued a policy of " housing condensation» in all cities - so there were began «municipal/common apartments».

 

[BorisRom]

... The revolt did not just take place in St. Peterburg, it took place all over the country. People wanted a better life. Did they get it? It depends on your interpretation. Why is Russia so difficult to rule? I guess the mutiple ethic groups that have never homogonized into one people is a problem. The U.S. is large and we have regional difference, but we are all basically the same, even though we come from such different background. We are all Americans, in the end. So, maybe that is the problem.

In February, 1917 the disorders took place ONLY in Petrograd. Russia has been put before the fact of overthrow of a monarchy. Certainly, people has apprehended it in hope of improvement of a life and the termination of war. However, war has been continued, also a life worsened.
In November, 1917 bolsheviks have taken authority all over again ONLY in Petrograd and in Moscow. Lenin initiated Civil war to establish their authority in all Russia. Bolsheviks have won, because in Civil war they were the most ruthless. They have raped Russia.
Russia till now has not overcome 74 years of Soviet authorities (USSR). It is the main trouble and main problem of Russia.

 

[BorisRom]

Boris, I think you place way too much emphasis on one statement made by Taft. You have consider the context and the politics of the time. All Taft wanted from Nicholas was the railroad. The fact remains that Nicolas was an inept ruler and was unable to see what was going on around him. It is said that one relies on the few words of two masterful politicians to justify Nicholas's rule.

Lexi,
Do you read my post 89 (10-13-2007):
“ACHIEVEMENTS of Russia during the period of Nicholas's II reign” ?
Do you read my theme “False myths” on ColdHarbor forum?
Tuft and Churchill are only two of my several tens of reasons!
Boris

 

[lexi4]

Oh, dear Countess!
Certainly, under modern standards it is hardly good living conditions. However, for the beginning of XX centuries it were rather quite good conditions for workers.
Besides, after 1917 and down to 1970th years (!) the majority of people in large cities of Russia lived in «municipal/common apartments» (several families in one apartment, - up to 10-15 families (!), with one Water Closet!). Till now approximately 5-7 % of people in Petersburg are living in municipal/common apartments!
Bolsheviks in 1917-1937 have ruined villages that poor peasants have left villages and go to factories in large cities. Bolsheviks pursued a policy of " housing condensation» in all cities - so there were began «municipal/common apartments».

If conditions were so good, there would have been no need for a revolution. Russia had two. Bloody Sunday would never have happened.

 

[lexi4]

Lexi,
Do you read my post 89 (10-13-2007):
“ACHIEVEMENTS of Russia during the period of Nicholas's II reign” ?
Do you read my theme “False myths” on ColdHarbor forum?
Tuft and Churchill are only two of my several tens of reasons!
Boris

Yes Boris, I have read them. I just don't buy it. It is easy to extrapolate quotes and take them out of context. You have to look/study Taft and Churchill. Did you read what I wrote about Taft being motivated by taking/leasing/buying Russia's railroad? He praised Nicholas because Taft for political reason.

 

[BorisRom]

If conditions were so good, there would have been no need for a revolution. Russia had two. Bloody Sunday would never have happened.

Lexi,
Conditions of a life of Russian workers in 1900-1917 were not worse, than in other countries of the Europe. «Bloody Sunday» was tragical unfortunate accident. Initially it was usual peace demonstration which from time to time take place in all countries. Revolution of 1905 has been successfully suppressed. In 1907-1917 the Russia promptly and successfully developed.
Certainly, the autocracy (tsarism) was an anachronism. In 1917-1919 THREE large monarchy have collapsed in the Europe (not only Russia). However, ONLY in Russia the authority was grasped with a criminal gang of the international adventurers (bolsheviks). The further is known.
Boris

 

[BorisRom]

Nicholas II "is guilty" in collapse of Russian monarchy no more, than monarches of Germany and Austria-Hungary are guilty in collapse of their monarchies. He ruled (operated) Russia not worse, than they (I think, he operated better than they - as Russia by March, 1917 was on a threshold of a victory together with allies).

 

[lexi4]

Boris,
Had the "subjects" been happy, none of the kingdoms would have fallen. That is the point. There was revolution because people were not happy with their living conditions, among other things.

 

[lexi4]

Is one of the problems in governing Russia simply that the country is so large and has so many ethnic groups? Whether a President of a Tsar is at the top, they have the same geography to work with.

I think that is a fair assessment. Not to mention that there is no infrastructure outside of the cities. The infrastructure in the cities is a shambles. Education is poor.

 

[COUNTESS]

First of all "Bloody Sunday" was not the usual peace demonstration. It was organized by Father Gapon who was concerned about the conditions experienced by the working and lower classes. He drew up a petition to be presented to the Tsar, making clear the many problems and the opinions of the workers, who were not happy. This petition called for improved working conditions, fairer wages, and a reduction in the work day to 8 hours a day. It also, requested the end to the Russo-Japanese War and "universal sufferage". The previous December a large strike occurred at the Putilov plant. Sympathy strikes in other parts of St. Petersburg had 80,000 people involved. The demonstrators had hoped that the Tsar did care about them. They brought along their families. They were murdered. There were thousands of strike around the country and in many villages. They took place because of terrible conditions, not because they were happy.

As for the other 2 fallen monarchies after WWI, both brought their own disaster, too. Wihelm II was not too sane and plunged his country into this mayhem, so he like the Tsar was responsible just the same. Emperor Franz Joseph was very old and in despair. How he got involved in the mess is a lengthy explanation. He died before its end. Yes, they, the Blosheviks took over Russia, but they were the extreme answer to an extreme question. Germany fared better for a time and then came Hitler, who was also a result of WWI and the lunacy of the Kaiser, so none of them escaped scott free.

 

[lexi4]

Countess,
Excellent assessment.
The organized by Father Gapon were acting on the right they had to petition the Tsar. The marchers carried icons, Russian flags and portraits of Nicholas. While the walked, the sang "God Save the Tsar." There intent was peaceful. They were greeted by gunfire. This day destroyed the belief that the tsar and the people were one. Or that the tsar cared about their plight. One of Nicholas's advisors, Witte, tried to talk Nicholas into distancing himself and declare that the soldiers had fired without orders. Nicholas refused to do so. Bloody Sunday was a turning point.
Lexi

 

[ysbel]

I think its a rather cheap shot to blame Nicholas II for the Russian Revolution.

Russia was far too big and far too unwieldy for a single autocrat to rule no matter how able he was. This was why Alexander II moved towards his reforms and Alexander sought to keep a lid on things though it killed him in the process. The Russia of Nicholas II was a vast territory that included Finland and parts of Poland including areas that bordered the Pacific Ocean.

Part of the reason for Russian's unwieldiness was the backwards technology and social structures but even today satelite nations are spinning off of the Russian motherland because the whole is definitely less than its parts.

As much as I adore Massie's books, I think he led to an increased personalization of the view of Russian history which doesn't always tell the whole story.

The story of the fall of the Russian imperial dynasty is more than the story of Nicholas, Alexandra, and Rasputin. There were a lot more moving parts involved.

 

[lexi4]

I didn't realize anyone blamed only Nicholas. He did play a part in bringing on, but it was a long time in coming. And certainly not on the basis of anything Massie wrote. His books aren't all that well sourced. His book are a good way to get interested in Russian History, but by no means definitive.

 

[ysbel]

I didn't realize anyone blamed only Nicholas. He did play a part in bringing on, but it was a long time in coming. And certainly not on the basis of anything Massie wrote. His books aren't all that well sourced. His book are a good way to get interested in Russian History, but by no means definitive.

No what I meant is that Massie got people interested in the individuals involved, Nicholas, Alexandra, Rasputin, to the point where people now focus on those individuals when discussing the fall of the Russian Empire to the exclusion of wider ranging forces at work that would have stymied the most able administrator.

 

[lexi4]

No what I meant is that Massie got people interested in the individuals involved, Nicholas, Alexandra, Rasputin, to the point where people now focus on those individuals when discussing the fall of the Russian Empire to the exclusion of wider ranging forces at work that would have stymied the most able administrator.

Interesting perspective. That has not been my experience either in my Russian Studies classes or on other forums.
I think that it has more to do with Nicholas being the last tsar and a lack of knowledge of Russian history.

 

[ysbel]

lexi you said:

I do agree that Nicholas, had he any sense, could have avoided the Revolution.

I'm saying that he couldn't. There were too many forces at work towards making a revolution for Nicholas even with a lot of sense to prevent.

That is all.

 

[lexi4]

lexi you said:



I'm saying that he couldn't. There were too many forces at work towards making a revolution for Nicholas even with a lot of sense to prevent.

That is all.

What that the cheap shot to which you were referring? Maybe I overstated it, but I do think Nicholas had the opportunity and in some instances, the advisors to avoid a Revolution. I'm not saying it would have been easy, it would not have been. The seeds of revolution were planted long before Nicholas took the throne. Nicholas would have had to be willing to move towards a Constitutional Monarchy, listen to his advisors (including his mother) to avoid Revolution. But, imo, he was too thick-headed to do any of those. He was completely unable to let go of any power as evidenced by the Duma. Some of those forces working against him were of his own doing. The end result was tragic, not only for Nicholas and his family but for the Russian people as well.

 

[ysbel]

Certainly he did a lot of things wrong, though I think he is most similar to the last true King of France Louis XVI who inherited a land where the aristocracy were disenfranchised without the populace having the means or the social structures to govern themselves.

The Russian government was set up like the old French monarchial government to depend on the king or czar. There was no infrastructure underpinning the whole. When a country had a charismatic governor like Louis XIV, a small geographical area like France and pretty good economy and external political situation, then it could work but more often than not it didn't and even when Louis XIV made it work, he drove the country into debt so that his successors ending up paying for it. Louis XVI tried an assembly of the Estates Generales similar to the Duma but it ran away from him. The time of transition between the time the nobility loses its power and the common people gain their power and the infrastructure to support it is fraught with danger for the people and the state. The whole environment is insecure and can't easily be solved by a single policy.

In a nation the size of Russia, the problem was far worse than it ever was in France. The nation did not have a unifiying force. The czar tried to be but it was impossible to unite such disparate peoples.

For example, the Russians desperately needed the Port of Port Arthur on the Pacific to maintain its lands in the East; however the Russian Europeans had little interest for what happened in the East - it was too far away. Nicholas did see that danger correctly but he had little support, so they let it get away. The Russo-Japanese war was a failure but not because it was not worth fighting. It had no support in the European centric Russia.

 

[BorisRom]

Ysbel,
You are right. I agree with you basically.
Regards
Boris