Tsar Nicholas II's Rule Over Russia

Tsar Nicholas II ruled over Russia during 1894 until 1914, and within two years after he stepped down as Tsar he and his family were murdered in July of 1918 (BBC). Before he became Tsar over Russia his father, Alexander III, was ruled over Russia from 1881 to 1894 where he died from kidney inflation in November of that year (Britannica). During his rule over Russia, he was known as Alexander III the Peacemaker. This is because he did not partake in any major war, and because Russia was flourishing throughout his rule. A lot of Russian’s respected his decisions as Tsar, and some people go as far as to say that he was the best Tsar that Russia has ever had (Russiapedia). This was hard for Nicholas II to follow in the footsteps of his father
because he had a reputation to withstand, and because of his lack of training as Tsar Russia thought that he was unfit to rule over Russia. Tsar Alexander III’s poor preparation for Nicholas II to become Tsar and his inadequate decision-making during his rule over Russia subsequently led to the Russian Revolution. Throughout Nicholas II’s childhood, Tsar Alexander III was a prominent figure for the future Tsar.
The Romanovs lived a simple lifestyle where they lived like a lower class citizens. Alexander III had high standards for his family; he trained the family under a military like training where he kept a constant schedule throughout his life. Two years before Alexander III died, statesman Count Witte asked him if Nicholas could become chairman of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Tsar Alexander III told him that, “[Nicholas] is still a boy, and his judgments are those of a perfect child” (Price, Kent). He never saw Nicholas II becoming Tsar so young because he lacked maturity. On the day that his father died, Nicholas knew that he was not prepared or ready to be Tsar, “My god, my god, what a day. My head is spinning, I don’t know how to be a Tsar, I have no idea about the business of ruling, I have no idea how to talk to the ministers” (School Work Helper). Tsar Alexander never bothered to give Nicholas any training to become Tsar because he didn’t believe that Nicholas was ready, but he allowed him to be trained as a soldier. His mother constantly told Nicholas what to do as a child, and because of this he never had the chance to make his own decisions and he never grew out of his childhood (School Work
Helper). Tsar Nicholas II’s mother, Tsarina Marie, was also influential in his life. She was used as the buffer between her children and Tsar Alexander III. He was a tough man and had incredible strength which frightened the children so she would keep a safe environment for the children whenever Alexander was around them. Marie would often spoil the children with many toys or gifts of that nature. Because of this Nicholas liked his mother more than his father and often went to her to have her make a decision for him. Years before he was crowned Tsar he wrote to his mother saying, “I will always try to follow your advice, my dearest darling Mama” (Price, Kent). Even after he became Tsar of Russia and married to Princess Alix of Hesse.