Why King George V Did Not Assist Tsar Nicholas II During the Russian Revolution

The period leading up to and during the Russian Revolution of 1917 was one of tremendous upheaval and political instability. Despite the familial bonds between King George V of the United Kingdom and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, various factors prevented George V from attempting to rescue Nicholas II from his perilous position. This article delves into the political, military, and social considerations that influenced George V's decision not to intervene.

Political Climate

By 1917, the political situation in Russia had reached a boiling point. The Bolshevik Revolution was gaining momentum, and there was widespread unrest among the Russian populace. The British government, preoccupied with the ongoing conflict in World War I, was cautious about becoming entangled in the internal affairs of another nation. The British government prioritized the war effort over humanitarian concerns, which further influenced their decision not to intervene.

War Considerations

Britain was actively engaged in World War I and any attempt to assist Tsar Nicholas II could have been seen as a distraction from the war objectives. The British government's primary focus was on military objectives and maintaining key alliances, rather than supporting individual monarchs.

Public Sentiment

Public sentiment across Europe, including in the United Kingdom, was increasingly anti-monarchical. Many people viewed the Russian monarchy as outdated and oppressive. Supporting the Tsar could have been politically unpopular, potentially leading to domestic backlash and political instability.

Lack of Feasibility

The logistical challenges of extracting Nicholas II and his family from Russia were immense. The revolutionaries had gained control over much of the country, making any attempt to rescue the Tsar highly improbable and fraught with danger. Additionally, even if a rescue mission had been feasible, the political situation in Russia at the time was so volatile that it would have been nearly impossible to carry out such an endeavor.

Diplomatic Relations

The British government was concerned about maintaining diplomatic relations with the new Russian government that emerged after the abdication of Nicholas II. Intervening on behalf of the Tsar could have jeopardized these relationships and led to further complications with the new government.

In summary, while King George V may have had personal sympathy for Nicholas II, the combination of political, military, and public considerations led to a lack of intervention to assist him during the tumultuous period of the Russian Revolution.

British Government's Position

It is worth noting that British Prime Minister David Lloyd George had advised George V to stay out of such matters, as acting unilaterally could have jeopardized the diplomatic situation. Additionally, communication during this period was primarily through letters, which could take several days to arrive, and telegrams were becoming more common but still not a primary means of instantaneous communication.

It is also plausible that Tsar Nicholas II was not fully aware of the severity of the situation. Should he have been aware of the dangers, it is questionable whether he could have acted on his own to escape, given the control the revolutionaries had over Russia at that time.

The Tsar's fate was one of tragic irony, as most of the existing royal families in Europe were interconnected by blood. Queen Victoria's extensive family tree saw many of her descendants married into other royal houses, illustrating the close ties of the European aristocracy. However, in the end, the political and social pressures of the time were too overwhelming for any single monarch to counteract.