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a-a-ra-s-s-s-s-a-s-s-a-s-a-s- We're home again.

Welcome to the Russian rulers podcast, episode 66.

From celebrations to the misery of war. episode 66.

From Celebrations to the Misery of War.

Last episode, we recounted how Nicholas II was steering his country to war with Germany and Austria-Hungary over Serbia.

His almost hand-picked conservative Duma followed the Tsar's lead without question.

Now, before we plunge Russia into World War I, we need to understand why the country was caught up in such a patriotic fervor, given the revolutionary storm circling the government.

Starting with 1896, there were a number of important anniversaries

commemorating major accomplishments in Russian history,

especially by Peter the Great.

These anniversaries were used deftly by the Romanov-led government

to stir up feelings of Russian pride throughout the nation.

While Nicholas preferred the Byzantine-like period of Alexis the first, he could not ignore all things Peter

the first had accomplished 200 years before.

1896 marked the bicentennial of the founding of the Russian Navy,

but the first major celebration was in 1903

with the 200th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg.

Nicholas though was no fan of the city as he much preferred the old capital of Moscow,

but he had little choice.

To sum up the royal family's feelings,

you just need to hear the quote from Empress Alexandra.

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