Transcript File - SaxonHistory

Grigory
Rasputin
Rasputin Childhood
• Named after Saint Gregory of Nyssa
• Would have had 8 siblings, but only he and his
sister survived (5th of 9 children)
• Did not attend school (most of village
illiterate)
• Seen as outsider, but maybe with gifts
Russian Monarchy ~ European Connections
Nicholas II, Wilhelm II and Alexandra were all first cousins of King
George V of England
Russian Monarchy ~ European Connections
Nicholas II and George V
Partner Discussion
1. What are some
possible effects from
having family connections
between rulers in
different countries?
Russian Monarchy ~ European Connections
Nicholas II married Alexandra in 1895
Alexandra was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria
Nicholas II was related to Prince Albert (Victoria’s husband)
Victoria, a carrier of the gene for hemophilia, passed this
trait to many descendents
Hemophilia: A hereditary blood-coagulation disorders
in which the blood fails to clot normally because of a
deficiency or abnormality of one of the clotting factors.
Hemophilia: A recessive trait associated with the Xchromosome, is manifested almost exclusively in
males.
Victoria’s Connection to Hemophilia in European Royalty
Victoria’s Connection to Hemophilia in European Royalty
Grigory Rasputin’s Experiences
• Russian Orthodox Church
• Studied to be Monk
• Met hermit outside monastery – influenced by
him
• (Not Jewish, no yarmulke)
Russian Monarchy ~ European Connections
Nicholas and Alexandra had one son – a male carrier for hemophilia
Took extra pre-cautions to provide for
the safety of Alexei
Alexandra grew increasingly reliant on a
Siberian holy man, Grigory Rasputin, to
help ease Alexei’s symptoms
Czar and Czarina: Power of Mystics
Czarina especially;
Russian Monarchy
Grigory Rasputin
Mysterious holy man from Siberia
Was humble and respectful with Nicholas and Alexandra
Was a filthy, heavy-drinking, womanizer who had a bad
reputation among the citizens of Russia
Treatment of Alexei
• Stopped aspirin treatments
• Some say use of illegal herbs
• After first healing
– Rasputin leaves
– Some time later: Alexei sick again
– Rasputin sends telegram
• Son won’t die
• Don’t let doctors touch
– Son heals day after Telegram arrives
Partner Discussion
2. How would the events
of Rasputin healing of
Alexei lead the Royal
Family to trust Rasputin?
Why did Russia Dislike Rasputin?
• Romanovs: very isolated, Rasputin visits
multiple times over short period
• Reports of immoral behavior outside of Royal
Family
• Rumored to have joined the Khlyst, an
underground sect from Russian Orthodox
Church
Partner Discussion
3. Was Russia’s anger and
dislike of Rasputin
warranted? Did they have
good reasons to dislike
him? Explain.
Rasputin Song
There lived a certain man in Russia long ago
He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow
Most people looked at him with terror and with fear
But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear
He could preach the bible like a preacher
Full of ecstacy and fire
But he also was the kind of teacher
Women would desire
RA RA RASPUTIN
Lover of the Russian queen
There was a cat that really was gone
RA RA RASPUTIN
Russia's greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on
But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger
for power became known to more and more people,
the demands to do something about this outrageous
man became louder and louder.
"This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies
But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please"
No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms
Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms
Then one night some men of higher standing
Set a trap, they're not to blame
"Come to visit us" they kept demanding
And he really came
RA RA RASPUTIN
Lover of the Russian queen
They put some poison into his wine
He ruled the Russian land and never mind the Czar RA RA RASPUTIN
But the kasachok he danced really wunderbar
Russia's greatest love machine
In all affairs of state he was the man to please
He drank it all and he said "I feel fine"
But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze RA RA RASPUTIN
For the queen he was no wheeler dealer
Lover of the Russian queen
Though she'd heard the things he'd done
They didn't quit, they wanted his head
She believed he was a holy healer
RA RA RASPUTIN
Who would heal her son
Russia's greatest love machine
And so they shot him till he was dead
Rasputin Song States
• Top of charts in West Germany and Austria
• No. 2 in UK and Switzerland
• Highly popular in Soviet Union (removed from
album in release, barred from performing song in
Moscow (10 shows)
• Sang in Poland (asked not to), broadcast omitted
song, but still on radio
Discussion Questions
4. Is Rasputin worth the trouble? Does
he deserve all the attention he gets?
5. What parts of Rasputin’s life does
the song address? What parts are left
out?