The Order to Ute Tsar Nicholas II and His Family: A Soviet Decision or a Kaiser Command?

The execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family on July 16-17, 1918, was a complex event shaped by the political turmoil of the Russian Civil War. While the order has traditionally been attributed to the Ural Soviet and the Bolsheviks, recent research suggests that it may have originated with the Kaiser himself, reflecting a deep-seated personal vendetta against the Romanovs.

Background of the Russian Civil War

The Russian Civil War of 1917-1922 was a series of military conflicts and political turmoil in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, which followed the 1917 Revolution and the subsequent fall of the Tsarist regime. The conflict involved various factions, but the main belligerents were the Bolsheviks (Reds) and the White Army (Kadets, Monarchists, and others).

The Role of the Ural Soviet

The transaction to execute the Romanovs was carried out by the Ural Soviet, a local Bolshevik authority in Yekaterinburg. The decision to execute the former Tsar and his family was a result of the fear that they could be rescued by anti-Bolshevik forces, which were gaining momentum.

The Order from Above: Lenin’s Instructions

According to historical records, Lenin, the leader of the Bolsheviks, ordered the Bolshevik army to carry out the execution. Lenin was under intense pressure to eliminate any perceived political threat to his rule, especially after the Romanovs were captured. It is believed that Lenin was preparing a trial for Tsar Nicholas II but was ultimately overruled by the Ural Soviet.

The Causal Trigger: Kaiser Wilhelm II’s Motives

Interestingly, recent documents suggest that the initial order to execute the Romanovs may have come from none other than Kaiser Wilhelm II, the former German Emperor. Despite being cousins, the Romanovs had rejected Wilhelm’s plans for world domination, causing prolonged animosity between them.

Wilhelm’s ill-fated plan involved Germany annexing Russia’s best lands and turning the country into a rump state. However, Tsar Nicholas II refused to comply, leading Wilhelm to orchestrate World War I as a way to destroy both France and Russia. When the war ended and Russia became a Republic, the threat from the Romanovs was perceived to be reduced. However, their continued existence was still seen as a threat.

The Tipping Point: Lenin’s Actions and the Ural Soviet

Late in the conflict, as the Central Powers began to lose, Wilhelm ordered Lenin to eliminate the Romanovs completely. This was an act of sheer spite, as Wilhelm’s victory was delayed due to the strong leadership of Tsar Nicholas II. Thus, the entire family had to die to satisfy his vendetta.

The Execution: A Painful and Swift Process

The execution took place in the basement of the house where the Romanovs were imprisoned. The family was taken by surprise, unaware of the impending danger. Historical documents recount a high-speed chase with shooting, providing insight into the chaotic and tense atmosphere of the night.

The Aftermath: Sovnarkom and VTsIK’s Approval

After the execution, Sovnarkom (Council of People's Commissars) and VTsIK (All-Russian Central Executive Committee) were informed and approved the decision ex post facto. This aligns with the understanding that in the chaos of the Russian Civil War, local authorities often acted independently of higher-level instructions.

Conclusion

This detailed look at the order to execute Tsar Nicholas II and his family reveals a complex network of political motivations and personal grievances. While the final decision was made by the Ural Soviet, the underlying cause could be traced back to a deep-seated enmity between the Kaiser and the Romanovs. The documents and historical accounts provide a clear picture of an event that has significant implications for Russian and world history.

References:

1. FRC: Role of the Ural Soviet

2. Kaiser Wilhelm II’s Order Context

3. Research into Sovnarkom and VTsIK’s Role