Tsarist Russia faced a crisis of legitimacy from "summary" of A People's Tragedy by Orlando Figes
The crisis of legitimacy that plagued Tsarist Russia stemmed from the fundamental question of who should rule the country and how they should rule it. For centuries, the Romanov dynasty had ruled Russia with absolute power, claiming their right to rule as a divine mandate. However, as the 19th century progressed, this traditional justification for autocratic rule came under increasing scrutiny and criticism. The Tsarist regime's legitimacy was further undermined by its inability to address the growing social and economic problems facing the country. The vast majority of the population lived in abject poverty, while a small aristocratic elite enjoyed immense wealth and privilege. This stark divide between the haves and have-nots bred resentment and discontent among the Russian people, eroding their faith in the Tsar's ability to govern effectively. The crisis of legitimacy was exacerbated by the Tsar's own personal shortcomings as a leader. Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, was seen as weak, indecisive, and out of touch with the needs of his people. His authoritarian style of rule alienated even his most loyal subjects, leading many to question whether he was fit to lead the country in a time of crisis. As discontent simmered beneath the surface, the Tsarist regime clung to power through repression and censorship, further alienating the Russian people. The lack of political freedoms and the brutal suppression of dissent only served to deepen the crisis of legitimacy, pushing the country closer to the brink of revolution.- The Tsarist regime's legitimacy had been irrevocably shattered. The Russian people no longer believed in the divine right of the Romanov dynasty to rule over them, nor did they have faith in the Tsar's ability to govern effectively. This crisis of legitimacy would ultimately prove to be the downfall of the Tsarist regime, as the Russian people rose up against their rulers in a bid for a more just and equitable society.
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