Nicholas II was the Czar of Russia from 1896-1917. An autocrat, Nicholas II had continued the monarchy held by the Romanov's for many generations. From the day Russia "elected" Nicholas II as Emperor problems arose with the people. As was tradition at coronations, the Emperor would leave presents for the peasants outside Moscow. The people madly rushed to grab the gifts, and they trampled thousands in the bedlam. As an autocrat, no other monarch in Europe claimed such large powers or stood so high above his subjects as Nicholas II. Autocracy was traditionally impatient and short-tempered. He wielded his power through his bureaucracy, which contained the most knowledgeable and skilled members of Russian high society. Like the Czar, the bureaucracy, stood above the people and were always in danger of being poisoned by their own power. .
When Sergei Witte acted as Russia's Minister of Finance from 1892 to 1903, attempted to solve Russia's "riddle of backwardness" in its government. He is considered more of a originator of Stalin rather than a modern of Nicholas II. In 1900, Witte wrote a memorandum to Nicholas II, highlighting the necessity of industrialization in Russia. After the government implemented Witte's plan, Russia had an industrial upsurge. All of Russia, however, shared a deep-seated anger of the sudden jump into an unfriendly way of life. Witte realized that Nicholas II was not meant to carry the burden of leading Russia to an industrial nation. At this time, the Czar did not lead, his ministers bickered amongst themselves, and cliques and special-interest groups interfered with the conduct of government. Nicholas II never took interest in public opinion, and seemed oblivious to what was happening around him. He was still convinced he could handle Russia himself. .
Peter Stolypin was Chair of the Soviet of Ministers. Stolypin's goal was to seal the rift between the government and the public.