Imperial Russia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nicholas II

Tsar Nicholas II (r. 1894-1917) was the last Tsar of Russia. He was forced to abdicate the throne in February 1917.

Answer: Paul

Paul (r. 1796-1801) hated his mother, and for the short time that he ruled, he tried to undo all that Catherine had done for Russia. The most influential decision he made was to re-instate Prostration (The edict that declared that all future rulers of Russia where to be males.)

Answer: Ivan III (The Great)

Ivan the First (ruled 1325-1341) had a brilliant idea to break away from the Mongols. He charged the Muscovites with more tax money than the Mongols demanded. He sent the required money to the Mongols, and kept the remaining tax money. Over a period of time, he was able to hire an army, and had enough men to begin the expulsion of the Mongols.

The last Mongols, however, did not leave until the battle of Ugra in 1480 under the rule of Ivan II (ruled 1462-1505)

Answer: The printing press

Ivan loved to read. His greatest past-time was reading. When he went to Europe (around 1556) he saw that they had the printing press. He brought that back to Russia, along with the new teachings of music to the schools.

Answer: Tartar

Ivan the Terrible died in 1584. His weaker son, Fedor ruled for a short while. He died soon after. Godunov was left in control of Russia. Although the boyars originally disliked him because of his origin, they soon changed their opinions about him. Godunov had an excellent mind-set for diplomatic relations with foreign countries.
Among other non-Russian leaders were Catherine the Great (German), and Alexandra Romanov (Wife of Nicholas II, and she was also German.)

Answer: Michael Romanov

The Romanov family was the most respected, and the richest boyar family. Ivan the Terrible married Anastastia Romanova, daughter of the Romanov family. Michael (1613-1645) was a byproduct of their marriage.

Answer: Peter the Great

When Peter the Great (1689-1725) founded St. Petersburg (formerly known as Fort Nyonshantz) he gave Russia its first access to an international waterway. This gave Russia the chance to build a navy, and since Peter the Great was an expert in sailing, guess who commanded the navy?

Answer: Beer and a trombone

Alexander(1881-1894) was said to be about 6'5" and weighed about 350 lbs. He would drink beer, which is very uncommon for a Russian to do, and play his trombone. This would entertain him for hours.

Answer: He was hit on the head with an iron staff

Ivan the Terrible (r. 1533-1582) got extremely angry with his son after Ivonovich confronted him about Oprichnina (the task force created to terrorize boyars.) Ivan the Terrible picked up an iron rod weighing about 20-30 lbs, and hit Ivonovich over the head with it.

After he hit his son, he grabbed his son in his arms, and began weeping. He held his son until the guards came to take the body ...

Answer: Alexander Ulyanov

Alexander Ulyanov was charged with an attempt to assasinate Alexander III. The Tsar was extremely fond of peasants, but he was a known Jew-hater. He ruled by martial law, and made counter reforms, which gave the government control over the subjects taught in college. Since Ulyanov was a college student, these reforms intruded on his school work.