Nicholas and Alexandra Questions

Summarize the discussion between Witte and the Czar after the events of the Winter Palace.

Czar is totally clueless about the conditions of his people, he resents political reform

What happens to the Nagorny? Why?

Nagorny has a fight with a man who tried to steal from Alexis, he gets killed for protecting him, czar gets hit in the face

What is the big question their captors must decide?

Who are they going to kill? The whole family?

What village do the Romanovs end up in?

Yekaterinburg who's in charge (Moscow or local soviet)

What was the origin of the Bolshevik Party?

a group of Russian socialists - Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky were there - there is a split in the Socialist party that was pushed by Lenin - Bolshevik means majority - meeting happened in London in 1903

What led up to and what happened when the workers went to see the Czar at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg?

idea of the priest to see the czar, intent is peaceful, when they go to the Winter Palace it is peaceful, Kerensky was there, soldiers shoot at them, 100s killed, priest calls Nick "Bloody Nicholas"

What happens at the opera? How does Nicholas react?

Stolypin gets shot by a generic revolutionary Nicholas is very angry (how his grandpa died)

What was the heart of the conversation Rasputin had with the czar, before he returned to Siberia ?

conservation where Rasputin says he's going to leave because he drinks too much and the women are aggressive, tries to be innocent

What is the scene at the palace, when Nicholas enters? What does he say to his wife?

filled with ordinary people, crowd is not respectful, the long corridor is empty, he's sorry and ashamed

How does Rasputin die?

first they try to poison him, then they shoot him, then beaten with a chain, the prince did it

What are Nicholas and Alexandra doing as they bless troops that are on their way to Korea?

giving them icons with pictures of saints or czars

What are Kerensky's plans for the Romanovs?

going to send them to Siberia then to another unknown country - Kerensky looses power to Lenin

How is Nicholas identified when he returns to St. Petersburg?

he is referred to as his common name, Nicholas Romanov

As the war begins, what is Kerensky's perspective?

he says to put religion aside and unite Russia he's ready and wants war

What does Kerensky want to do, after the Bolsheviks have begun to seize power?

he wants to fight them but there's not enough loyal troops

What's Rasputin's role in the story at this point?

he's giving advice to the queen

What disease does Alexis suffer from? What is the origin?

hemophilia, mother carried it and she feels guilty

What is the content of the conversation between Lenin and a German in Switzerland?

little biography of Lenin, Kerensky is now running the government and wants war to continue, they want Germans to smuggle him towards Sweden, Germans surprised

What do the Bolsheviks approve of as long as the revolution is furthered?

murder, arson, terror

What was the main idea of Nicholas' talk with his children after Alexis' nightmare?

nightmare: Archduke is shot Nicholas says that's how things in the Bolsheviks are, violent Nicholas is not worried, he was wrong

Now is the army protecting the czarina?

no, they army isn't loyal to the czar anymore

What is the context of the conflict between Nicholas and Kerensky?

none of the Allied countries want the czar (political hypocrite) Kerensky is the only reason that the czar is alive (protecting him)

What is the family allowed to do before their deaths?

read their mail, clueless about the revolution

Be familiar with the content of the conversation between Nicholas and his mother.

she says he picked terrible people to run the government, Nicholas doesn't really know anything about warfare, she says hang Rasputin

Why does Alexandra feel like no one likes her?

she's a foreigner, German

What was the substance of discussion between Stolypin and the Czar, at the czar's vacation spot?

supposedly talking about 300 years of the Romanovs warns him that people think Rasputin is having sexual interaction with Alexandra there is a Duma in place

What were the factory conditions like in Russia?

terrible

Is the army protecting the czarina at this point? (home in SP)

the army seems to be loyal

Why does Nicholas agree to abdicate?

the generals are not behind him

What were some of the political changes urged on the czar by his advisors?

the people want a constitution, want to vote for Duma, Nicholas does not want to change politically

What is the setting at the beginning of the film?

the royal bedroom, Alexandra is pregnant (4 girls)

How do the soldiers act during the bread riots in St. Petersburg?

they help the people

What advice do Nicholas' ministers give him relative to the war with Japan? What is his response

they tell him to get out ASAP 1. he doesn't want to lose a war 2. fighting for his son 3. always felt that God put him on the throne, God's will

What is the content of the conversation between Kerensky and representatives of the of the British, American, and French governments?

they want Russia to stay in the war Americans say put Lenin in jail America wants to bribe them with $ to stay in war

What do we learn as we listen to Lenin talk with the other Bolsheviks?

things look bad for the Bolsheviks because the Okrana is everywhere, Lenin is pessimistic

What battle is being referred to after the opening scene at the intermission? What is the condition of the Russian army?

Battle of Tanenberg, they are in rough shape, low on weapons

What is Yakovslev's response when Nicholas says "You puzzle me."

I don't have your taste for murderer, Bloody Murderer. 7,000,000 died in WWI

What is Nicholas' mother's advice relative to the war with Japan?

1. get out ASAP, can't afford it 2. "we're an 18th century country in a 20th century world."

What does Count Witte say as WWI is about to begin?

1. he says no one will survive 2. when the war is over there will be a sense of hopelessness and want for revenge 3. world will be run by fanatics

How many years had Romanovs been ruling Russia? How did they celebrate?

300 years, Royals ride on the train and people clap

What's going on in the scene where Alexandra is talking to Rasputin while she's arranging icons?

Alexandra is uncomfortable with changing her faith (Lutheran to Orthodox) Rasputin knew what was wrong with her son, claims he can hear God She kneels before Rasputin

At this point in the story, how is Alexis doing? What is Rasputin's role?

Alexis fell, bleeding severely, going to die Alexandra puts the hear on Nicholas to get Rasputin there. Alexis gets better and she thinks it's because of Rasputin.

How does Kerensky address Alexandra when the czar's family is about to leave?

Frau Romanov (German word for Mrs.) - low blow

What must Alexis be aware of when he is playing?

He can't fall

Where are the soldiers from who break into the camp where the Romanovs are staying?

Moscow

What is the substance of Alexandra's religious discussion with Rasputin?

Rasputin is mystical, gets visions from God, she's falling under his spell

Be familiar with the major points of the discussion between Lenin, Trotsky

Russia losing the war, refers to massacre at Winter Palace, reads newspaper, Lenin says terror gives us power

What major things happen when Nicholas goes to the front to be with the troops?

advice to retreat and preserve the army, politically he needs the army

In what context do we meet Kerensky?

as a student revolutionary, political activist

What is the setting of the family's murder?

in a the basement of a house (we know where)

What is the atmosphere in the camp where the Romanovs are staying?

it is very tense, no government in charge, rumor of civil war, white armies are coming to rescue the czar