Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov (1868-1918) was a Russian emperor of the Romanov dynasty. Under the name Nicholas II, he was “Tsar of all Russias” from November 1, 1894 until his abdication on March 15, 1917, as well as King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland.
Under his reign, Russia experienced unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural growth: liberation of the serfs, lower taxes, development of a railway network, recognition of the ruble as a convertible currency. Culturally, Russia enjoyed its “Silver Age”, with the international renown of its leading writers, sculptors, painters and dancers.
But the Revolution of February 1917, linked to Russia’s entrenchment in the First World War, put an end to the imperial regime. Nicholas II, his family and retinue were executed by the Bolsheviks in July 1918.