Russian soldier bearing the Imperial Russian flag, singing the Russia Hymn beginning 'God save the Tsar!'

Hymne Russe

Logo: Idéa

Vise/Paris

92/3

MBoutengen

Other views: Larger

Thursday, March 15, 1917

"In these decisive days in the life of Russia, we have thought it a duty of conscience to facilitate for our people a close union and consolidation of all national forces for the speedy attainment of victory; and, in agreement with the Imperial Duma, we have thought it good to abdicate from the throne of the Russian State, and to lay down the supreme power.

Not wishing to part with our dear son, we hand over our inheritance to our brother, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, and give him our blessing to mount the throne of the Russian State. We bequeath it to our brother to direct the forces of the State in full and inviolable union with the representatives of the people in the legislative institutions, on those principles which will by them be established."

Quotation Context

Excerpt from the abdication signed by Russia's Tsar Nicholas II, Nicholas Romanov, on March 15 (March 2, Old Style), 1917. Had Nicholas abdicated in favor of his twelve-year-old, hemophiliac son Alexis as called for by the abdication papers agreed by the Duma and Soviet of Workers Deputies, the transfer of the throne and continuity of the House of Romanov would have been clear. In changing the document to bypass his son, Nicholas handed the decision to his brother Michael who abdicated, saying he would accept the crown only if asked to do so by a constituent assembly.

Source

Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie by Robert K. Massie, page 417, copyright © 1967, renewed 1995 by Robert K. Massie, publisher: Random House, publication date: 2011

Tags

1917-03-15, 1917, March, Nicholas II, Tsar Nicholas II, Tsar Nicholas, Nicholas Romanoff, Nicholas Romanov, Romanoff, Romanov, Hymne Russe