Intro

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

World War I (1914-1918) marked the collapse of many of Europe’s most powerful empires, including the Russian empire under Tsar Nicholas II (1868-1918). As Europe’s last monarchy, Russia operated under a system of autocracy, wherein the Tsar wielded absolute authority. However, by 1914, the strains of industrialized warfare, combined with longstanding discontent toward Tsarist rule, began to dramatically accelerate Russia’s internal collapse.

Question 2

Thesis

Answer 2

WWI significantly contributed to the breakdown of Tsarist Russia, as military defeats and economic hardships eroded public confidence in the Tsar’s leadership. On the other hand, Rasputin’s influence also played a pivotal role, deepening the public backlash that would ultimately contribute to the Tsar’s downfall.