Abdication of Nicholas II

Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, meaning gave up, being the emperor of the Russian Empire on 2 March (Julian Calendar) / 15 March (Gregorian Calendar), 1917. He did it in the middle of World War I, a very important war that Russia was losing. The war was causing people to be poor and starve, and also millions of young Russians were dying in the war. People blamed Tsar Nicholas for their these problems. This caused the February Revolution, which was what made Tsar Nicholas abdicate.^[1]

The Emperor gave up the throne for both himself and his son, Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich. Nicholas said that his brother, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, should be emperor instead.^[1] Grand Duke Michael didn't want to take the throne, though. With these events, the rule of the 300-year-old House of Romanov ended.^[2]

Power in Russia then passed to the Russian Provisional Government, which was a more democratic form of government.

Manifesto of Abdication (Abdication Statement)

Manifesto of Abdication

Summary

Nicholas II said that he wants to give up the throne to his brother Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich because it will help people work together so that Russia will win World War 1. Nicholas II asks the people to be patriotic and help Russia gain victory. The statement ends with a plea to God to help Russia.

English Translation of the Manifesto of Abdication

In the days of the great struggle against the foreign enemies, who for nearly three years have tried to enslave our fatherland, the Lord God has been pleased to send down on Russia a new heavy trial. Internal popular disturbances threaten to have a disastrous effect on the future conduct of this persistent war. The destiny of Russia, the honor of our heroic army, the welfare of the people and the whole future of our dear fatherland demand that the war should be brought to a victorious conclusion whatever the cost. The cruel enemy is making his last efforts, and already the hour approaches when our glorious army together with our gallant allies will crush him. In these decisive days in the life of Russia, We thought it Our duty of conscience to facilitate for Our people the closest union possible and a consolidation of all national forces for the speedy attainment of victory. In agreement with the Imperial Duma We have thought it well to renounce the Throne of the Russian Empire and to lay down the supreme power. As We do not wish to part from Our beloved son, We transmit the succession to Our brother, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, and give Him Our blessing to mount the Throne of the Russian Empire. We direct Our brother to conduct the affairs of the nation with the representatives of the people in the legislative bodies on those principles which will be established by them, and on which He will take an inviolable oath. In the name of Our dearly beloved homeland, We call on Our faithful sons of the fatherland to fulfill their sacred duty to the fatherland, to obey the Tsar in the heavy moment of national trials, and to help Him, together with the representatives of the people, to guide the Russian Empire on the road to victory, welfare, and glory. May the Lord God help Russia!^[3]

The abdication of Nicholas II on 2 March 1917 (Julian Calendar.) It took place aboard a train. Pictured aboard the Imperial Train: Minister of the Imperial Court Baron Woldemar Freedericksz, Commander of the Northern Front General Nikolai Ruzsky, State Duma deputies Vasily Shulgin and Alexander Guchkov, Nicholas II. (State Historical Museum)

Simple English Translation

Memorial plaque on the Pskov Railway Station.

As we fight against our foreign enemies in the World War, God has decided to give us another problem. Chaos from inside our nation, which come from the common people, might lead to us losing the war. If we want the destiny of Russia, the honor of our heroic army, the well-being of our people, and the future of the nation to turn out well, we have to win this war at any cost. Our cruel enemies are already tired, and our army will soon destroy them. In this important time for Russia, we thought it would be best that we help the Russian people work together the best they can so that all our effort can go towards a quick victory. In agreement with the representatives of the people, we have decided that we should give up the throne and stop making decisions for Russia. Since we don't want to be separated from our son (Alexei), we have decided to give the throne to our brother, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich. We give him our blessing to be a good Emperor. Our advice to our brother is that he should make decisions with the help and advice of the people's representatives, and also respect the governing groups they have created. In the name of our dearly beloved homeland, we ask our patriotic people to fulfill their holy responsibility to Russia. We ask that they obey the Emperor in this time of trouble, and to help the Emperor, together with the leaders of the people. We ask that they do all this to help the Russian Empire have victory, well-being, and glory. May the Lord God help Russia!

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Beckett, Ian F. W. (2008). The Great War, 1914 - 1918. Modern wars in perspective (2. ed., [Nachdr.] ed.). Harlow, England: Pearson Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-1252-8.
↑ Smith, S.A. (2002). Russia in Revolution. Oxford University Press. pp. 102. ISBN 978-0-19-285395-0.
↑ (in Belarusian) Акт аб адрачэнні Мікалая ІІ ад прастола. Адмова ўспрыняць імператарскую ўладу Міхаіла. 1917 г. Беларускі пераклад// Блог Андрэя Берастоўскага

[:02-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Beckett, Ian F. W. (2008). The Great War, 1914 - 1918. Modern wars in perspective (2. ed., [Nachdr.] ed.). Harlow, England: Pearson Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-1252-8.

[:32-2] Smith, S.A. (2002). Russia in Revolution. Oxford University Press. pp. 102. ISBN 978-0-19-285395-0.

[3] (in Belarusian) Акт аб адрачэнні Мікалая ІІ ад прастола. Адмова ўспрыняць імператарскую ўладу Міхаіла. 1917 г. Беларускі пераклад// Блог Андрэя Берастоўскага

[1]

[2]

[3]