Even greater losses, however, were suffered in World War I (the second war during Nicholas" reign), which Russia entered on the Allied side in 1914. ... His biographical annotations, which served as the basis for the glossary and for the notes to the documents in this volume, drew on a wide variety of archival and reference sources. ... ggest that Nicholas II was the prime reason for the collapse of the dynasty. ... His reign was one of continual trouble: Witte's reforms causing protesting, war with Japan, 1905 revolution, Rasputin's influence on the family, World War I, and finally ...

• Word Count: 1939
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The Alcoholic Empire: Vodka and Politics in Late Imperial Russia Patricia Herlihy begins her book with an attention grabbing quote from a Russian temperance priest stating that "There is nothing in the world worse than drunkenness." (1) This blunt phrase sets the tone of the book and prepares the reader for an up close and frankly detailed look at the role of alcohol in Russian history in all areas, including the economic, religious, social and political realms. ... This book also fit nicely into the class's recent discussions about Nicholas II, and provides some background for events t...

• Word Count: 1133
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School