Romanov

The House of Romanov (pr. Ro-MAH-nov) was the last ruling dynasty of Russia's Imperial Era. It ruled Russia for ten generations from 1613 to 1917.

The House came to power when Michael Romanov was elected ruler of Russia in 1613 following a period of exceptional anarchy known as the "Time of Troubles". During the family's occupation of the throne, Russia slowly moved from a backward medieval culture to an industrial one. At the dawn of the 20th century it was a leading European industrial power though quite backward in political and social terms. However, the slow pace of reform was simply not fast and effective enough, and the House of Romanov ultimately fell from power during the first Russian Revolution in 1917. The last Romanov monarch, Nicholas II, and his immediate family were assassinated in the cellar of the Ipatiev House in Ekaterinburg, Russia on July 16, 1918.

The Romanov family continues to exist today. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union their supporters have campaigned for a return of a Romanov to the Russian throne, as a constitutional monarch. Though the pretender to the throne attracks some media attention, there is so far little support for the resurrection of a Romanov Russian monarchy.

See entries under:

• Michael I
• Aleksey I
• Peter I (Peter the Great)
• Alexius Petrovich
• Peter II
• Peter III
• Catherine II (Catherine the Great)
• Paul
• Alexander I
• Nicholas I
• Alexander II
• Alexander III
• Nicholas II
• Alexandra of Hesse (Tsarina of Nicholas II)
• Grand Duchess Olga of Russia (daughter of Alexander III)
• Grand Duchess Olga of Russia (daughter of Nicholas II)
• Grand Duchess Tatiana of Russia (daughter of Nicholas II}
• Grand Duchess Maria of Russia (daughter of Nicholas II)
• Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia (daughter of Nicholas II)
• Tsarevich Alexei of Russia (son and heir of Nicholas II)
• Michael II (son of Alexander III, to whom Nicholas II abdicated the Crown. Though known for a very short time as Michael II, he never reigned and is not generally counted as a Tsar.)