Rasputin was an unusual man who appears to have had genuine healing talents. He came to the attention to Tsar Nicholas II and the Tsarina Alexandria when he successfully healed the favorite hunting dog of a member of the royal family. ... His influence with the royal family remained strong after that. Tsar Nicholas II was unable to rule effectively. He made poor decisions that led to worsening relations with the government and increased hardship for civilians and soldiers alike.
Nicholas refused to accept any reduction in the absolute power he held.He was detached from the plight of the Russian people and his policies also alienated ethnic minorities.When the Duma was recalled during World War 1, a group of Octoberists and Kadets established the Progressive Bloc. This group wanted to have more control over the war. In response, in 1915, Nicholas closed the Duma. This alienated many liberals.Nicholas declared himself Commander in Chief of the army and departed for the Eastern Front to take control of operations.However, Nicholas was not well educated in the tactics of war. Moreover, his absence left a weakened government in Petrograd (formerly St Petersburg).
