Pocket History Plus Mallory Good

Nothing lasts forever, and after nearly 400 years of ruling Russia, the Romanv family would eventually come to its own gruesome end.  By losing its monarchy, Russia would be given the chance to start over from scratch . . . for better or for worse.



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In the summer of 1872, a beautiful German princess was brought into the world. With golden curls and dazzling smile, Princess Alix was appropriately nicknamed "Sunny" by her family.  That summer, no one could have predicted that sweet baby Sunny would one day grow up to be the most hated woman in all of Russia. This is her story.



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Alexander I saved his nation through an alliance with Napoleon Bonaparte, only to later become the man who ensured the military leader's grisly demise. Alexander II was a well-educated statesman desperate to prove himself to his country, but this desperation to please would eventually cost him his life. Alexander III ruled for only a short period of time, but watched as Russia underwent its most dramatic changes yet.

These three men, connected only by their names and their bloodline, would all help shape Russia into the nation it is today. Their decisions would bring wealth and prosperity to their people . . . but would also cost them their lives, and the lives of royal descendants to come.

After being dismissed from the line of succession twice, Elizabeth Petrovna was tired of watching Russia fall into the hands of twisted and incompetent rulers. Whether or not she had been born out of wedlock, Elizabeth was still the daughter of Peter the Great, and she knew she could restore Russia to its glory days. Unfortunately, Elizabeth's nephew and heir, Peter III, despised his aunt and country, and dreamed of a future where Russia would belong to his homeland, Germany. A new empress would be needed to prevent Peter from destroying Russia . . . and she would go down in history as one of Russia's greatest leaders.

As Peter the Great realized his reign was quickly approaching its end, his court was filled with panic. The tsar had no sons or brothers, no uncles, and he was despised by his only nephew. As much as Peter hated the thought, there were only two futures left for Russia . . . either a woman would ascend the throne, or the monarchy would disappear forever.

Great men often go down in history, but the lives of many great women remain shrouded in secrets. Confined to their chambers all day, hidden from the eyes of the public, Russian tsarinas led isolated, lonely lives. From inside the walls of Russian monasteries, the secluded lives of nuns were either dream-like, or utter nightmares. In the end, the only Russian women who didn't remain hidden from the world were peasants . . . and their heartbreaking stories are only filled with devastation and pain. This is Pocket History Plus, and today we're looking at the lives of Russian women. From the peasantry to the royal family, from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries . . . the lives of women don't have to be secrets anymore.