1. Grigory Rasputin

2. Who was Rasputin? Grigory Rasputin (Surname means ‘disreputable one’)
was a holy man & suspected member of Kylysty sect

3. What was he like? Eyewitness reports refer to transfixing gaze
Lack of hygiene
However, some historians are sceptical of Rasputin’s reported appearance due to his reputation.

4. Why was he so popular? Alexei Healing powers
Tsarina thought Rasputin could cure Alexei of haemophilia
1907 Rasputin first helped Alexei to recover from bout of illness
1912 ‘cured’ Alexei via telegram from outside St Petersburg: "God has seen your tears and heard your prayers. Do not grieve. The Little One will not die. Do not allow the doctors to bother him too much.”
Alexei

5. Why was he so unpopular? Immorality shocked conservatives
Professional jealousy amongst senior ministers, e.g. Stolypin
Resentment over his influence over Tsarina, especially during WWI

6. Rasputin and Alexandra
Rasputin saved the life of Alexei, heir to Russia, from haemophilia. This endeared him to Alexandra, the Tsarina.
As his popularity with the tsarina grew, rumours began that he and Alexandra were the ones truly in control of the throne, and that Nicholas was just a figurehead. As Nicholas moved to the front during ww1, this rumour became stronger.

7. Rasputin’s Death
Rasputin was assassinated by Prince Yusopov and his conspirators against the tsarina and Rasputin’s influence over her.
They poisoned him, shot him, clubbed him and drowned him before he finally died. However, in his autopsy, there was no trace of the poison in his blood, and no water in his lungs.