The last Tsar of Russia was Nicholas II, who reigned from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. His reign marked the end of over three centuries of Romanov dynasty rule in Russia. Nicholas II was born on May 18, 1868, in Tsarskoye Selo, near St. Petersburg. He became Tsar after the death of his father, Alexander III, with a vision to uphold the autocratic system that had been in place since the time of his ancestors.
During Nicholas II's reign, Russia faced various challenges, including military defeats, political unrest, and social upheaval. The most notable early crisis was the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), which ended in a humiliating defeat for Russia, awakening national discontent. This led to the 1905 Revolution, forcing Nicholas to grant the October Manifesto, which offered limited constitutional reforms, though he remained committed to autocracy.
World War I further exacerbated the turmoil. Russia's involvement in the war brought immense suffering, heavy military losses, and exacerbated food shortages, leading to widespread famine and popular unrest. By early 1917, amidst revolutions and strikes, Nicholas II abdicated the throne on March 15, marking the end of the Romanov dynasty.
Following his abdication, Nicholas II and his family were placed under house arrest. In July 1918, during the Russian Civil War, they were executed by Bolshevik forces in Ekaterinburg. Nicholas II's reign, and particularly his abdication, are often seen as pivotal moments in Russian history, transforming it from imperial rule to a republic. His legacy remains controversial, as he was viewed alternately as a martyr by some, while others see him as a symbol of the failures of the imperial regime. In 2000, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized him and his family as martyrs, highlighting the complexity of their legacy in contemporary Russia.