Tsarina Alexandra

Who was Tsarina Alexandra?

Alexandra Feodorovna was a German princess who married Tsar Nicholas II in 1894. She was unpopular at court.

What was Tsarina Alexandra famous for?

Tsarina Alexandra was famous for 4 key reasons:

• ❖ She was disliked at court, partly because she was German and Russia was at war with Germany during the First World War.
• ❖ When Nicholas II took personal command of the Russian Army in August 1915, he left Alexandra in charge of the government as his regent. She did a terrible job. She sacked capable ministers and replaced them with incompetent men.
• ❖ She allowed Rasputin to have too much influence over the running of the country.
• ❖ Her actions helped to increase opposition to tsarist rule, which in turn led to the February Revolution 1917.

What was Tsarina Alexandra's relationship with Rasputin?

Tsarina Alexandra had a close relationship with Rasputin:

• ❖ She believed that Rasputin had mystical healing powers and could help her son, Alexei, who suffered from haemophilia.
• ❖ Rasputin had a great deal of influence over Tsarina Alexandra. Nicholas II made her regent in August 1915 because he had taken over personal command of the Russian Army during the First World War. Rasputin interfered with the appointments of ministers.
• ❖ There were rumours that Rasputin and Tsarina Alexandra were having an affair.

When did Tsarina Alexandra die?

Tsarina Alexandra and her family were executed by the Bolsheviks on 17th July 1918, during the Russian Civil War, to prevent the Whites and the Czech Legion from rescuing them.