The Romanov Personalities
Members of the Russian Royal Family Aided Their Own Ill Fate
Had the personalities of the Romanov family members been different, history might have taken a different course.
Members of the Romanov family are the stars of Russian royal history. Because so much is known about their daily lives – through biographers' research, personal diaries, and photos – their personalities are constant subjects of study. The downfall of the Russian monarchy is often blamed, in part, upon the personalities of major players in the royal family, but there is much interest in the interpersonal dramas that erupted from the clashing of personalities, as well.
Romanov Personalities – Tsar Nicholas II
Tsar Nicholas was known as a weak and ineffective ruler who was more interested in personal pursuits than running a country. He was much controlled by the Empress Alexandra, who was overbearing and dislikable. While Tsar Nicholas II was a good father, he was a horrible leader. His aides tried their best to advise him on matters of state, but the tsar was often unable to be swayed in the right direction once his mind was made up. His beliefs about his “divine right to rule” often encourages his illusions about how the Russian people felt about his position as tsar.
Romanov Personalities – Empress Alexandra
Tsaritsa Alexandra hailed from Germany and never felt comfortable in Russian society. She often bowed out of social events, constantly complained of illness or pain, doted on her children, and exhibited powers of persuasion over the tsar, which often caused him to made unfavorable decisions. Generally, she was disliked by Russian nobles and peasants alike, and towards the end of the Romanov reign, she even fell under suspicion because of her German heritage. Although Empress Alexandra converted to Orthodoxy prior to her marriage with Nicholas, she was a highly superstitious individual who preferred the services of mystics over those of medical doctors.
Romanov Personalities – Grand Duchess Elizabeth
The older sister of Empress Alexandra, Grand Duchess Elizabeth was known for her beauty, kindness, style, and piety. Grand Duchess Elizabeth married into Russian nobility, although her husband was killed during the tumult of the early 20th century. She was deeply concerned about her sister's dependence upon religious mystics, and this, among other issues, caused a rift in their relationship.
Romanov Personalities – The Romanov Children
The Romanov Children – Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei – were, unfortunately, caught up in their parents' poor political judgements and died with them in 1917. The girls were known for their beauty, intelligence, and diverse personalities. Alexei was often ill, and while he was the heir to the throne, many doubted that his hemophilia would allow him to live to assume it. Alexei was kept company by friendly caretakers and his mother, but was not able or permitted to play like other children due to the risk of injury and death. He was often under the care of Rasputin.
Romanov Personalities – Rasputin
While Rasputin was not a member of the Romanov family, his insidious behavior put him right in the center of family affairs. He claimed to have amazing healing powers, which he used on Alexei at the Empress's request. He was also responsible for advising the Tsar and Empress upon matters of no concern to him. Most of Russian society saw him for the unwashed scoundrel that he was, but the faith Empress Alexandra had in his supposed holiness gave him more power than was warranted.
The fascinating personalities of the Romanov family have been the subjects of books and sources of inspiration for study about how historic events were shaped by these unique individuals. Some scholars wonder if the events of the early 20th century in Russia might have been different had the tsar been stronger, had Rasputin not been in the picture, had Alexandra been calmer. No one can say for sure, but it is certain that the Romanov personalities did not help their situation.
