Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
George V and Nicholas II were not only distant relatives, but also allies in the First World War. They were both first cousins of Queen Victoria, who had arranged marriages for her children across Europe. They also shared a physical resemblance, a sense of duty, and a love of hunting.
But their relationship was not always smooth. They had different personalities, political views, and cultural backgrounds. They also faced different challenges and tragedies in their lives.
George V was the king of the United Kingdom and Ireland from 1910 to 1936. He was born on June 3, 1865, as the eldest son of Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark. He became heir to the throne after his father’s death in 1910. He was a constitutional monarch who had limited power to make decisions. He was also a popular figure who cared for his people and supported various causes.
Nicholas II was the emperor of Russia from 1894 to 1917. He was born on May 18, 1868, as the eldest son of Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna (Dagmar of Denmark). He became heir to the throne after his father’s death in 1894. He was an autocratic ruler who had absolute power over his empire. He was also a controversial figure who faced opposition from various groups and events.
George V and Nicholas II met for the first time in 1908 at a royal reception in London. They were both impressed by each other’s appearance and manners. They became friends and corresponded regularly until Nicholas’ abdication in 1917.
During the First World War, George V supported Nicholas’ efforts to maintain Russia’s neutrality at first, but later changed his mind when he realized that Germany was preparing for war with Russia. He declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, along with France and Russia.
George V sent troops to France through Belgium to join forces with Britain against Germany. He also sent money and supplies to Russia through neutral countries such as Sweden and Turkey.
Nicholas II tried to mobilize his army against Germany, but faced many difficulties such as lack of resources, equipment, training, morale, and loyalty. His army suffered heavy losses in battles such as Tannenberg (August-September 1914) and Gorlice-Tarnow (July-August 1915).
Nicholas II also faced internal unrest from various groups such as socialists, liberals, nationalists, peasants, workers, soldiers, officers, and clergy. Some of these groups demanded reforms, others demanded independence, and others demanded revolution. Nicholas II tried to appease them by making some concessions, but failed to satisfy them. He also faced opposition from some members of his own family, such as his wife Alexandra and his brother-in-law Grand Duke Michael of Russia, who were seen as too Germanic and too conservative by some Russians.
Nicholas II’s situation worsened when Germany invaded Russia through Poland in September-November 1914. He ordered a counterattack against Germany, but it turned out to be a disaster. His army was outnumbered, outgunned, outmaneuvered, and outflanked by German forces. His army retreated across Poland and Ukraine, but faced constant attacks from German troops and local militias. His army lost most of its equipment, supplies, and morale along the way. His army reached Warsaw in October-November 1914, but had no hope of breaking through German lines.
Nicholas II decided to continue fighting against Germany despite overwhelming odds. He hoped that he could still defend his country and prevent Germany from dominating Europe. He also hoped that he could still win over public opinion and restore order in Russia.
But he never got that chance. On February 17-18 (February-March), 1917, a group of radical socialists known as the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian government in a coup d’état known as the February Revolution. They stormed the Winter Palace in Petrograd (now St Petersburg), where Nicholas II’s government was based, and arrested or killed most of its members. They declared themselves the Provisional Government of Russia, and promised to hold elections soon.
The February Revolution sparked more unrest in Russia, as different groups rose up against the provisional government or each other. Some wanted more radical changes such as land redistribution or workers’ rights; others wanted more moderate changes such as constitutional monarchy or parliamentarism; others wanted more violent changes such as civil war or revolution. The provisional government struggled to maintain control over its vast territory and diverse population; it also lacked legitimacy and support from many people.
