S2E4: The Last Empress of Russia - Saint Alexandra the Passion Bearer

Women of War

A loving mother, World War I nurse and devoted wife, Saint Alexandra the Passion Bearer probably would have been a lot better off in life if she’d stayed a Princess of a minor German Duchy. She however fell in love with a young man named Nicholas and became the Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna. One of the most infamous female rulers in modern history, Alexandra has become known as a tragic and selfish figure who contributed to the downfall of the 300-year-old Romanov dynasty due to the influence of the manipulative mad monk, Rasputin. Eventually she and her family would meet their death at the hands of Red Army soldiers. Why was Alexandra such a problematic figure in the eyes of so many Russians? Yes, it’s because she was German. But there’s far more to it than that.

Women of War is recorded on Wurundjeri land. We pay our respects to their elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

This episode contains references to rape, sexual threats towards children and sexual assault, haemophilia, the murder of children, war crimes, interference with and the defilement of corpses, miscarriage, birth trauma, infertility, civilian deaths, starvation, fire, child death, pedophilia and bleeding. It also contains some naughty language.
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies. Opinions presented about Orlando Figes are in jest and do not represent the speaker’s actual views.

For more information on the Russian Revolution, check out Orlando Figes’ A People’s Tragedy or, for a less backbreaking tome, Revolutionary Russia, 1891-1991. For more information on the Romanov dynasty, see The Romanovs: 1613-1918 by Simon Sebag Montefiore. Or just go to your local library, there’ll be something. Not as many books as on World War II, but is there ever?

If you want to check out books on the Australians in the Russian Civil War check out Anzacs in Arkangel by Michael Challinger, or the Diggers Who Signed on For More by Bruce Muirden.

If you’re here because you’re doing Revolutions in VCE, nice work on looking for extra resources! Send this to three friends to gain luck from the Gods of VCAA.

For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.

Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com