Abstract
The paper describes the generally accepted theory surrounding Rasputin's murder but notes the inconsistencies between the stories told by the co-conspirators. The paper also relates that forensic evidence does not appear to substantiate these accounts of the murder. The paper reaches the conclusion that whether or not Rasputin was killed in the manner that has been accepted for almost a century or whether another party was involved in his death is something that may never be known.

From the Paper
"The evening of the murder commenced much as the conspirators had planned. Lazavert laced some pastries and wine with cyanide, though he left some pastries unpoisoned so that Yusopov could eat them. Yusopov went to Rasputin's apartment around 12:30 a.m.; his presence was documented by Rasputin's maid. They were driven to Yusopov's palace by Lazavert. However, once Yusopov got Rasputin to the basement, the carefully constructed plot began to fall apart. Rasputin initially refused all food and drink. Yusopov got worried and went upstairs, where he said Irena had been unexpectedly detained, to talk to his coconspirators. However, Rasputin changed his mind and agreed to refreshments, eating the pastries and drinking the wine."

Tags:Lazavert, Yusopov, Irena, Sukhotin, Purishkevich

Abstract
This paper disputes the historic argument that Rasputin was the main cause of the Russian Revolution and claims that the real cause was the weak tsar, Nicholas II, who allowed an illiterate peasant from Siberia to influence his decisions. It attempts to show that, although Rasputin was close to the Tsar and Tsarina and did have a powerful influence over them, he was not the main cause of the Russian Revolution, but one of many.

From the Paper
"Apart from his ability to attract people, circumstances were very favorable for Rasputin to gain a place of great importance with the Tsar and Tsarina. History suggests that he was able to attract the attention, trust and friendship of Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra for one important reason. In short, their only son, and heir to the throne, the Tsarvich Alexei was a very sick young boy who suffered from a disease known as hemophilia. The doctors were all unable to cure him and to relieve his suffering, but Rasputin, it seems had the ability to stop Alexei's bleeding and is believed to have saved him on several occasions (Lieven)."

Tags:tsarvich, alexei, peasants

From the Paper
" History is full of enigmatic figures who, in the name of morality, faith or the constraints of their own blind will, remain aloof, seemingly oblivious to the direst warnings presented to them. This is a brief overview of selected events which led to the fall of the Romanov Empire, with particular reference to the significance of the personalities and background of Nicholas II, the Empress Alexandra, and Rasputin.
The image of Nicholas II that dominates history is that of a weak and unintelligent man who was poorly equipped to deal with the challenge of a newly emerging, modern nation (Steinberg and Khrustalev 23-25). But he was not a stupid man. While not possessing an education equal to that of today's rulers, he had proficiency in English, French and German, as well as considerable teaching in military, political, and economic.."

Abstract
This paper explores the role Rasputin the holy man had in the fall of the Romanov Dynasty, and ultimately, the Bolshevik Revolution. The author discusses some of the events leading up to the revolution and examines how Rasputin's involvement impacted them.

From the Paper
"Rasputin was the holy man whose presence in the Romanov family caused tension and discomfort among the nobility and Russian peasantry. His uneasy presence and claims of supernatural power were heard by many, but none dared to object to his gloating, for he was the direct line to the king and queen, and the supposed lover of Tsarina Alexandra. His connection to the Tsarina was deep, and he often advised her on matters pertaining to the country. When Rasputin first entered the scene in 1911 from Siberia, the country was on the verge of civil war, as the Revolution of 1905 and the ensuing events had left the Russian country demoralized and debilitated. Rasputin's cult of personality and his actions signified the end of the ruling Romanov dynasty, and the beginning of the Bolshevik ascension to the throne. The fall of the Romanov Dynasty was the indirect result of the problems and strife caused by Rasputin, placing the royal family and the rest of Russia in unrest."

Tags:alexander, bloody, bolshevik, sunday, tsar, society

Abstract
The paper introduces Russian writer, Valentin Rasputin and his success in Russian literature. It analyzes his book, "Live and Remember" - considered as one of the most significant works of the post-Stalin, pre-glasnost era. The paper discusses the plot and the major themes of the book.

From the Paper
"Live and Remember may appear to some as a visionary text. Indeed the author's convictions have been portrayed with such strength that it is easy to believe Valentin Rasputin is outlining a sequence of developments that is not inevitable. Thus, this book is not a theory of history or of world war. It is however, an analysis of the sort of institutions that might develop in an environment where the individual is bound to give priorities and values to those that he does not wish to or as free to choose and thus, demonstrating tendencies, not immutable consequences."

Tags:Siberia, The, Last, Deadline, Andrei, Guskov

Abstract
This paper examines whether it was a coincidence that Tsar Nicholas II abdicated just 3 years after the commencement of World War One. It examines several factors which may have been the cause of the collapse of Tsarism - Nicholas' leadership; Bloody Sunday; The October Manifesto; Rasputin or WWI.

From the Paper
"The First World War caused the collapse of tsarism, but it was not the reason it occurred. It seems to have acted only as a catalyst to the problems already facing Russia. It is evident that the tsarism would have collapsed eventually due to the oppressive nature of the regime. There was deep discontentment in the Russian people whose tolerance for an autocratic state had worn out. Believing that the state was responsible for all their problems, many Russians were determined to overthrow it in order to create change. Another cause for problems was that Tsar Nicholas II was an unsuitable ruler and the Russian people were unforgiving towards this gentle man. Wanting change in their society, it appears that the fate of the tsarism lay in the hands of Nicholas at least until World War One commenced."

Tags:czar, nicholas, russia, tsar, bloody, sunday, october, manifesto, rasputin

Abstract
This paper examines the life of Nicholas II and the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1918. It begins by examining Nicholas role as an autocrat and the way he dealt with the political, social and economic grievances in twentieth-century Russia. It looks at the Tsar's failure to address these problems and finally the role of WW1 in the fall of the Tsarist regime.

From the Paper
"Nicholas II was Russia's last monarch and the last Tsar in the Romanov line that had ruled the largest empire in the world for over 300 years. This mighty dynasty was to fall in a few short years of war, revolution and social turmoil. The reign and eventual fall of Nicholas II would change the course of Russian and international history forever."

Tags:bolsheviks, century, nicholas, one, rasputin, revolution, russia, twentieth, war, world

Abstract
This paper is an in-depth analysis of the causes of the Bolshevik Revolution. The author discusses the harsh economic conditions of the times, the rule of Czar Nicholas, the oppression of the lower class, and the influences of Karl Marx on the intelligentsia who wanted reform. The paper looks at the numerous riots that took place, the effects of World War I, and the crumbling of the Romanov dynasty.

From the Paper
"The causes of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 were many. The revolution was the culmination of a long period of repression and unrest. The Tsar weaknesses in his character and reactionary policies and his failure to understand his people: From the time of Peter I (Peter the Great), the czardom increasingly became an autocratic bureaucracy that imposed its will on the people by force, with wanton disregard for human life and liberty. The last Tsar Nicholas II (1894-1917) was a loyal family man but he had serious defects of character. He was easily influenced by his wife (German), he ignored his ministers and he failed to understand the problems of his people (he was too remote from them). He was a reactionary and an indecisive autocrat. Moreover the Czarist monarchy dramatically demonstrated the weaknesses to which a hereditary system is prone. A male heir to the throne was necessary to assure the continuation of the dynasty. The son of the Czar and Empress, Alexis, was a frail boy who suffered from the crippling hereditary disease of hemophilia."

Tags:nicholas, lenin, petrgrad, rasputin, revolution, germany, czar, tsar, peasant, economics, pogrom, serf, marx, karl, bloody, sunday, riot, st, petersburg, kremlin, cossaks, kerensky

Abstract
The writer's opinion is that the Russian Revolution was neither planned nor led by any political faction. He finds that it was the result of the collapse of the monarchy's ability to govern. The paper explores the historical, political and social events which lead to the revolution and whether these would have happened with or without Lenin's involvement.

From the Paper
"In February, 1917, civil unrest in Russia escalated into worker strikes and finally exploded into armed rebellion. Longtime Marxist and revolutionary Vladimir Lenin was ecstatic when the news reached Switzerland, where he lived in exile. He had devoted his life to orchestrating a worker's rebellion that would tear the tsar from power. In 1905, after Bloody Sunday when Tsar Nicholas II had ordered his army to fire on a peaceful labor demonstration, Lenin had come within touching distance of his goal, but the workers, fearing the strength of the military, had backed down. Now, fifteen years later, with the workers revolting and the military in mutiny, Lenin had finally achieved his lifelong dream (Lenin)."

Tags:russian, czar, revolution, lenin, communism, rasputin, nicholas