Tsar Nicholas II, one of the most disastrous rulers in modern history, ascended the throne on 1 November 1894.
Grand Duke Nicholas was born in May 1868 to the Tsarevitch, Alexander Alexandrovitch, and the Tsesarevna, Maria Feodorovna. During his childhood, he would develop a lifelong friendship with his cousin, the future King George V of the United Kingdom.
Nicholas was not particularly well-prepared to rule; his father largely refused to involve him in anything and expected that he had several decades to rule himself. However, Tsar Alexander III died of kidney disease at the age of 49, leaving an inexperienced Nicholas to rule a vast empire.
Nicholas was officially consecrated as emperor in the evening of 1 November 1894. He married Princess Alix of Hesse on 26 November, moving up their wedding that was originally scheduled for 1895.
Nicholas and Alexandra’s May 1896 coronation was marked by tragedy, with thousands dying from overcrowding and trampling at public celebrations.
The last Tsar would face many political difficulties during his reign, including multiple revolutions. He maintained a fairly conservative political stance, and the Russian population was determined to push forward beyond the limits of the emperor.
Nicholas abdicated the throne on 15 March 1917. He and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks on 17 July 1918.Â
