In May 1896, the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II only succeeded in highlighting the conceited opulence, indulgence of the Romanov dynasty, and the complete lack of caution regarding the ever-increasing discontent among the Russian peasantry of the late 19th century. The actions or lack thereof of the Tsar and his dignitaries to the tragedy that plagued the coronation itself emphasised the lack of compassion toward their citizens. While it is obvious to see from the collection of diary entries from the day of the coronation, not everyone in the Romanov dynasty was as Cold-blooded as the Tsar exhibited. Such as grand duchesses Xenia and Olga, who showed great concern over how Tsar Nicholas II conducted himself on the day, which in fact was just
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This essay will attempt to compare, contrast and analyse just how significant a part the coronation played in the downfall of the last Tsar of Russia, all the while discussing and debating the different personalities, reactions, and/or lack thereof displayed through the lens of various sources, authors, and critics.
The coronation itself was an event of immense luxury, as grand duke Konstantin mentions in his personal diary entries, Nicholas’s cousin glorifies the arrivals of the court musicians, golden coaches, the horses draped with golden cloths, and the embroidered uniforms of the Tsar, his wife, and his …show more content…
The Tsar claiming it left an “ugly expression”, possibly emphasising how the Tsar was more concerned with the image of his regime rather than the actual citizens that perished. “Nicholas II himself didn’t visit Khodynka field after the tragedy and didn’t hold a memorial service, which was expected of him. He did not even express his words of sympathy. He did not stop the celebrations in honour of the coronation. And soon he simply left Moscow. No mourning, no visits to monasteries. People never forgave Nicholas II for that.” It also well documented that Nicholas was obliged to attend a ball at the French embassy that night, but Nicholas believed it to be distasteful to attend after the prior events, however, Nicholas was informed that his absence would not go over well with the French, Nicholas attended to appease the French, this supposed side of the Tsar wasn’t obvious to the public who were becoming increasingly irritated by his supposed lack of compassion. This callousness displayed by the Tsar wasn’t a solitary expression in the inner court, grand duke Konstantin was exceptionally loyal to the Tsar, “his face had an expression of piety and supplication,” and “the young Tsarina is the embodiment of kindness and goodness,” this seemed to contradict what some thought of the Tsarina, “What a woman she was, an empress to her fingernails. She had the whip hand all right. Nicholas couldn’t even blow
This essay will attempt to compare, contrast and analyse just how significant a part the coronation played in the downfall of the last Tsar of Russia, all the while discussing and debating the different personalities, reactions, and/or lack thereof displayed through the lens of various sources, authors, and critics.
The coronation itself was an event of immense luxury, as grand duke Konstantin mentions in his personal diary entries, Nicholas’s cousin glorifies the arrivals of the court musicians, golden coaches, the horses draped with golden cloths, and the embroidered uniforms of the Tsar, his wife, and his …show more content…
The Tsar claiming it left an “ugly expression”, possibly emphasising how the Tsar was more concerned with the image of his regime rather than the actual citizens that perished. “Nicholas II himself didn’t visit Khodynka field after the tragedy and didn’t hold a memorial service, which was expected of him. He did not even express his words of sympathy. He did not stop the celebrations in honour of the coronation. And soon he simply left Moscow. No mourning, no visits to monasteries. People never forgave Nicholas II for that.” It also well documented that Nicholas was obliged to attend a ball at the French embassy that night, but Nicholas believed it to be distasteful to attend after the prior events, however, Nicholas was informed that his absence would not go over well with the French, Nicholas attended to appease the French, this supposed side of the Tsar wasn’t obvious to the public who were becoming increasingly irritated by his supposed lack of compassion. This callousness displayed by the Tsar wasn’t a solitary expression in the inner court, grand duke Konstantin was exceptionally loyal to the Tsar, “his face had an expression of piety and supplication,” and “the young Tsarina is the embodiment of kindness and goodness,” this seemed to contradict what some thought of the Tsarina, “What a woman she was, an empress to her fingernails. She had the whip hand all right. Nicholas couldn’t even blow