The failings of Nicholas II manifestly contributed to the demise of the Romanov family. The Tsar exhibited an ineffectual and vacillating character; a leader ill-equipped to steer Russia into the 20th century. Nicholas was dominated by his religiously devoted wife, Alexandra, who was influenced by the frenetic holy man, Rasputin, both personalities immensely aided in the Romanvos' collapse. Although Nicholas's failings were a fundamental cause for the collapse of Russia's Imperial family, the nature and inability of the autocracy's appeasement of urban discontent and the occurrence of World War I, expansively contributed to its collapse.

Tsar Nicholas's imperceptible leadership and feeble character contributed to the collapse of the Romanovs. Nicholas succeeded to the throne following the death of his father, Tsar Alexander III. Nicholas was inexperienced for the responsibility of ruling Russia, "I am not prepared to be a Tsar...I know nothing of the business of ruling...