Introduction / Context:
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a turning point in world history. It ended the rule of the tsars and paved the way for the creation of the Soviet Union under Bolshevik leadership. This question asks which emperor was ruling Russia at the time of the revolution, just before the monarchy was overthrown. Knowing the correct tsar helps learners connect political events with the last phase of imperial Russian history.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The event mentioned is the Russian Revolution, usually referring to the 1917 revolutions.
- The question asks who was the Emperor of Russia during this period.
- The options list several Romanov rulers from different periods of Russian history.
- The learner is expected to know which tsar was the last and was forced to abdicate in 1917.
Concept / Approach:
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia from the Romanov dynasty. He ruled during a period of social tension, military defeat, and political crisis. In 1917, the February Revolution forced him to abdicate, ending centuries of tsarist rule. Later that year, the Bolshevik Revolution led to the collapse of the provisional government and the rise of Soviet power. Because the question focuses on the emperor at the time of the revolution, Nicholas II is clearly the correct answer.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the Russian Revolution as taking place in 1917, at the end of the Romanov dynasty.
2. Recall that Nicholas II is widely known as the last tsar of Russia.
3. Remember that he abdicated in 1917 after mass protests and mutiny in the army and capital.
4. Look at the options and find Nicholas II among names such as Alexander I, Nicholas I, and Alexander II, who ruled earlier.
5. Select Nicholas II as the emperor of Russia at the time of the revolution.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, learners can consider the chronological order of the Romanov rulers. Alexander I and Nicholas I ruled in the early nineteenth century, while Alexander II, known for emancipating the serfs, was assassinated in the late nineteenth century. Nicholas II came to the throne in the 1890s and remained emperor until 1917. History texts that describe the 1917 revolutions almost always mention his abdication as the end of tsarist rule. This strong association confirms that Nicholas II is the correct answer in exam oriented questions about the Russian Revolution.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Alexander I ruled earlier in the nineteenth century and is known for his role in the Napoleonic Wars, not for the events of 1917.
Nicholas I also ruled in the nineteenth century and is associated with events like the Decembrist revolt and the Crimean War, not the Russian Revolution.
Alexander II is recognised for reforms such as the abolition of serfdom but was assassinated decades before 1917.
Peter the Great was an eighteenth century ruler who modernised Russia and had no connection to the twentieth century revolutions.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the many Alexanders and Nicholases in the Romanov line or think only of titles such as the last tsar without remembering the exact name. In addition, some may mix up Nicholas I and Nicholas II because of their similar names. To avoid these mistakes, it is helpful to memorise a simple phrase such as Nicholas II last emperor of Russia, abdicated in 1917. This memory aid links the name, position, and revolutionary year clearly, enabling accurate answers in general knowledge questions.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is
Nicholas II.
Discussion & Comments