Dissatisfaction with the Tsar
Nicholas II inherited a country with severe problems, largely unprepared for a newly industrializing world. Nicholas II believed in the power of the Russian autocracy; however, he was unable to maintain the traditional power of the Tsar during his reign. As a young man, he was largely interested in his military career, rather than the political operations of the government. Around the time of his coronation, he told a friend he never wanted to be Tsar. He married and produced children; however, his only son had hemophilia. His other children were all daughters.
In 1905, Nicholas faced revolution in Russia for the first time. Before 1905, Nicholas II was, at least, tolerated by his people. On January 22, 1905, 150,000 people gathered to ask Nicholas II for his support and assistance. In their petition, they called themselves oppressed, and said they were looked on as slaves. They wanted relief, but not rebellion. The people marched peacefully, heading toward the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, but were, for an unknown reason, fired upon by Russian troops. Several hundred of the peasants died that day; the government claimed around 100 dead, but those in opposition claimed a much higher number. The day was soon dubbed Bloody Sunday.
Bloody Sunday led, nearly immediately, to widespread rebellion. This involved around 400,000 peasants throughout Russia. There were assassinations, mutinies, and attacks on the homes of the wealthy. Widespread general strikes followed, and Nicholas II made a number of concessions to appease the rebels.
His decisions during World War I were almost all remarkably bad. He failed to choose skilled leaders for his military, and made poor strategic decisions throughout the war. Russia suffered horrific military losses, costing both significant resources and massive numbers of human lives. When Nicholas II chose to take direct control of the army as commander-in-chief, he removed himself from a political role. He was, however, no better a commander than a Tsar. His choices throughout the war years condemned him to his final end.