This Week in Russia - Romanov Family Executed

This Week’s Historical Theme: Russia 

16 July 1918 

A significant event throughout the history of Russia that occurred in July is the execution of the Romanov family. Tsar Nicholas II, crowned in 1896 after his father's death, was an incompetent and untrained ruler whose disastrous leadership led to the Russian Revolution. The failure of the Russo-Japanese war (1904-5) forced Russia to abandon its expansionist policy and led to a revolution in 1905. This revolution halted when Tsar Nicholas II promised constitutional reforms and a representative assembly (the Duma). However, he then contracted these concessions and dissolved the Duma when it opposed him, leading to growing support for revolutionary groups, such as the Bolsheviks, who were seen to properly represent the people. Discontent grew when Tsar Nicholas II led Russia into World War I in 1914, as food became scarce, and they faced devastating defeats.

In 1917, revolution broke out yet again. This time, Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate his throne and the Bolsheviks, led by Vladamir Lenin, seized power, and set about establishing a communist state. In 1918, civil war broke out an anti-Bolshevik forces advanced on Yekaterinburg, where Nicholas and his family were being kept. Fearing that the anti-Bolshevik army would free the Tsar and re-establish the autocracy, the Bolsheviks decided to kill him and his entire family. Late at night on 16 July 1918, they were gunned down, bringing an end to the 300-year imperial dynasty. The Crown Prince Alexei, and one Romanov daughter were not accounted for, fuelling rumours that Anastasia, the youngest daughter, has survived the execution.

Want to find out more about why the Romanovs were executed? Click here for more information, or here for more about Anastasia.