Transcript A Gene that Launched the Russian Revolution

A Gene that Launched the
Russian Revolution
Hemophilia
Hemophilia:
• Bleeding disorder in which
the person affected has a
mutated gene that should
code for an
enzyme/clotting factor.
• There are two different
types of hemophilia, each
type is missing one of the
two clotting factors.
• Without these clotting
factors, hemophiliacs can
have very serious bleeding
episodes.
X linked Recessive
Disorders:
•Hemophilia
•Muscular
Dystrophy
•Color Blindness
Queen Victoria’s
father was the son
of King George III.
Controversy around
her conception.
Gene affected
England, Spain, and
Russia through her
daughters’ and
granddaughters’
marriages into
other Royal
families.
The Romanovs
• Nicholas II of Russia’s father died in
1894
• Just months later her married
Alexandra from Great Britain- against
his family’s wishes. The timing was
seen as a bad omen by the people of
Russia.
• Then at their Coronation, a stampede
killed several people.
• Defeat in the Russian Japanese War.
• After 3 girls, Alexandra finally bore a
boy, but he had the mutated gene.
• Fearful of the publics view of this
disease, the family kept it quiet.
Alexandra carried the pain
knowing that she was the cause
for the very sick child.
• In 1905, enter Rasputin.
• Prior to coming to St. Petersburg,
Grigori Rasputin was a monk,
priest, mystic, and was visited by
many people for advise, guidance
and healing in exchange for food,
drink, and other favors.
• Rasputin’s mystical
powers and reputation
preceded him.
• He met Alexis during a
bleeding episode and
was able to stop his
bleeding.
• Many believe Rasputin
was able to heal by
hypnosis; nevertheless,
for Alexandra this
meant salvation and
peace of mind knowing
someone could keep
her son safe.
The beginning of the
end…
• As World War I began to
develop, Nicholas was drawn to
the battle field.
• In his absence, Rasputin began
spend more time with
Alexandra providing political
insight, and replacing
politicians with his “cronies”.
• Rumors began to fly relating to
the Tsarina and Rasputin’s
relationship.
• Faith in the Royal family began
to dissolve and opposition
developed in St. Petersburg.
The Execution…
• Lured under false pretenses, Rasputin met
acquaintances and was fed poisoned Sweet Cakes and
Wine.
• Much after the poison was suppose to kick in, his
murders became nervous, and shot Rasputin.
• As he fled, Rasputin was shot twice more.
• Once his pulse was checked and still found to be strong,
he was beaten with an anvil, wrapped in a rug and
thrown into a hole in the iced over river.
• When his body was found washed down the river, there
were signs that showed a struggle.
• In other words, Rasputin was alive when he was thrown
into the river.
• After months of hiding,
the Romanov’s were
escorted to a basement
where they were
executed.
• Rumors of the women
surviving from gems
sewn into their dresses
and the missing bodies
from the gravesite
inspired stories of the
amnesia Anastasia and
other survivals.
Question to Ponder:
Without the “Royal disease”
and the presence of
hemophilia in Alexei, would
there have been such turmoil
during the Russian Revolution
for the Romanovs?