By the time Nicholas II becomes the new tsar of Russia, the political climate can be described as a perfect storm. Explain the factors within and beyond Nicholas II’s control that make his reign as tsar particularly difficult. Consider these questions as you formulate your response:

• What impact might Nicholas II’s father have on his response to conflict in Russia?
• Why is Nicholas considered a weak tsar?
• What about Nicholas’s personality prevents him from developing relationships in his court and with his people?
• What misunderstandings and misrepresentations of Nicholas circulate in Russia?
• How does increased literacy create unrest during Nicholas’s reign?
• How does Nicholas and Alexandra’s response to their son’s disability impact the Russian people?
• How does Rasputin affect how people feel about Nicholas and his wife?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may benefit from analyzing the different aspects of the prompt with access to resources and taking notes before discussing aloud.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who benefit from assistance with whole-text tasks may find it helpful to work in small groups to discuss the factors that contributed to Nicholas’s downfall. Consider dividing students into specialized groups focusing on Nicholas’s family and home life, the political climate of Russia, and the suffering of people in the lower classes.