Rasputin, the man who wouldn't die (Strange Stories)

Simple History
13 Oct 201806:15
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script narrates the enigmatic life and death of Grigory Rasputin, a self-proclaimed holy man with significant influence over the Russian royal family. Despite rumors of debauchery and assassination attempts, his sway over the Tsar's family intensified until his murder on December 30, 1916, orchestrated by nobles fearing his impact on the war effort. The tale of his assassination is filled with intrigue and mystery, with accounts of him surviving poisoning and gunshots before being finally killed and thrown into a river. The script also touches on the aftermath of his death, including the Russian Revolution and the sponsors' message on building websites with Wix.

Takeaways
  • 🎙️ The episode is sponsored by Wix, promoting their website creation service.
  • 🌟 Grigory Rasputin was born in Siberia, Russia, and had a religious awakening at 28, becoming a self-proclaimed holy man.
  • 💡 Despite rumors of debauchery and occult involvement, Rasputin became a popular figure in St. Petersburg high society.
  • 🤝 Rasputin befriended Tsar Nicholas II and his family, gaining significant influence over them.
  • 👑 Queen Alexandra saw Rasputin as a prophet and healer for her hemophiliac son, Alexei.
  • 🔝 Rasputin's influence on the royal family and political decisions grew over a decade, causing public resentment.
  • 🗡️ There was an assassination attempt on Rasputin in 1914 by Chuniya Guseva, who considered him a false prophet.
  • 🇷🇺 World War I was going poorly for Russia, and Rasputin's unpopularity was seen as affecting the war effort.
  • 🥷 A group of nobles and politicians, led by Prince Felix Yusupov, plotted to kill Rasputin due to his influence.
  • 🏰 On December 29, 1916, Rasputin was invited to a party at the Moika Palace, where he was poisoned and shot but seemingly survived.
  • 💀 Rasputin's body was found on January 1, 1917, with an autopsy revealing he had been shot three times, the last in the forehead, which was fatal.
  • 🏹 The murderers, Prince Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, were not executed but faced exile and military service.
  • 📖 Rasputin was buried on January 2, 1917, shortly before the Russian Revolution led to the abdication of Nicholas II and the end of the Russian Empire.
Q & A

  • Who sponsored the episode discussed in the script?

    -The episode was sponsored by Wix.

  • What significant event in the life of Grigory Yefimovich Rasputin is mentioned on December 30th, 1916?

    -Rasputin's death is the significant event mentioned on December 30th, 1916.

  • Where was Rasputin born and what kind of family did he come from?

    -Rasputin was born in Siberia, Russia, to a peasant family.

  • What is suggested to have happened to Rasputin at the age of 28?

    -At the age of 28, it is alleged that Rasputin had a religious awakening during a pilgrimage.

  • How was Rasputin's reputation portrayed in society, aside from his influence on the royal family?

    -Aside from his influence on the royal family, Rasputin had a reputation for debauchery, drunkenness, womanizing, and involvement in strange occult rituals and a mysterious cult.

  • What was the role of Rasputin in the eyes of Queen Alexandra?

    -Queen Alexandra saw Rasputin as a prophet and a visionary who could heal her hemophiliac son, Alexei.

  • What was the consequence of Rasputin's growing influence on the royal family and political decisions?

    -Rasputin's growing influence caused resentment among the Russian people and politicians, leading to attempts to curtail his power and an assassination attempt.

  • Who led the plot to assassinate Rasputin, and what was the date of the assassination attempt?

    -The plot to assassinate Rasputin was led by Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, and it took place on the night of December 29th, 1916.

  • What methods were used in the assassination attempt on Rasputin, and why were they initially ineffective?

    -Cyanide-laced tea, cakes, and Madeira wine were used in the assassination attempt, but they initially seemed to have no effect on Rasputin, possibly due to his alleged mystic and almost superhuman powers.

  • What was the final cause of Rasputin's death according to the official autopsy?

    -According to the official autopsy, Rasputin was shot three times, with one of the shots in the forehead at close range, which was the cause of his death.

  • What happened to Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich after Rasputin's murder was discovered?

    -After Rasputin's murder was discovered, Prince Felix Yusupov was exiled to his country estate, and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich was sent to serve in a Russian army garrison in Persia.

  • What significant historical event occurred shortly after Rasputin's death?

    -The Russian Revolution occurred shortly after Rasputin's death, leading to Nicholas II's abdication and the end of the Russian Empire.

Outlines
00:00
🔮 Rasputin: The Mysterious Healer and His Influence

This paragraph introduces Grigory Rasputin, a self-proclaimed holy man from Siberia, Russia, who rose to prominence in St. Petersburg high society and became a close associate of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. It details his controversial life, marked by rumors of debauchery and occult practices, and his growing influence over the royal family, particularly in healing the Tsar's hemophiliac son, Alexei. Rasputin's popularity and the resentment it fostered among the Russian people and politicians are highlighted, culminating in an assassination attempt and his eventual murder, which became a legend due to the alleged difficulty in killing him.

05:06
🏰 The Downfall of Rasputin and the Russian Empire

The second paragraph narrates the aftermath of Rasputin's assassination, his burial, and the subsequent Russian Revolution that led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Russian Empire. It also discusses the sponsorship of the episode by Wix, emphasizing the ease of creating a professional website with Wix's tools and templates, regardless of one's skill level. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to support the channel by visiting Wix and using the provided link.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Rasputin
Rasputin, or Grigory Yefimovich Rasputin, was a Russian mystic and self-proclaimed holy man who gained significant influence over the Russian royal family, particularly Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Queen Alexandra. His life and mysterious persona are central to the video's narrative, illustrating the impact of his influence on the royal family and the subsequent resentment from the Russian people and politicians.
💡Tsar Nicholas II
Tsar Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, ruling from 1 November 1894 until his forced abdication in 1917. In the video, he is depicted as having a close relationship with Rasputin, which contributed to Rasputin's influence over the royal family and political decisions, leading to widespread discontent among the Russian populace.
💡Queen Alexandra
Queen Alexandra, wife of Tsar Nicholas II, is highlighted in the script as viewing Rasputin as a prophet and healer for her hemophiliac son, Alexei. Her belief in Rasputin's abilities and her reliance on him for the health of her son significantly contributed to Rasputin's growing influence within the royal family.
💡Assassination
Assassination is the act of deliberately killing a prominent person, often for political reasons. In the video, Rasputin is the target of an assassination attempt, first by Chuniya Guseva and later by a group of nobles and politicians led by Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, due to his controversial influence on the royal family and perceived negative impact on the war effort.
💡Cyanide
Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical compound used in the script as part of the assassination plot against Rasputin. Prince Felix Yusupov laces tea, cakes, and Madeira wine with cyanide in an attempt to poison Rasputin, but surprisingly, it has no effect on him, adding to the mystique surrounding his character.
💡Revolution
The Russian Revolution refers to a series of revolutions in 1917 that led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the rise of the Soviet Union. The video mentions the revolution as a significant event that occurred shortly after Rasputin's death, suggesting a connection between the unrest caused by Rasputin's influence and the eventual overthrow of the monarchy.
💡Mystic
A mystic is someone who seeks knowledge through direct communion with the divine or supernatural. Rasputin is described as a mystic, which is integral to his character and the perception of him as having almost superhuman powers, contributing to the sensationalism and urban legends surrounding his death.
💡Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that impairs the body's ability to make blood clots, leading to excessive bleeding. In the script, the Tsar's son, Alexei, suffers from hemophilia, and Queen Alexandra believes in Rasputin's ability to heal him, which strengthens his position within the royal family.
💡Wix
Wix is a website builder platform that sponsors the episode. It is mentioned in the transcript as a tool for creating websites with complete creative freedom. The mention of Wix serves as a reminder of the episode's sponsorship and provides an example of modern-day website creation, contrasting with the historical narrative of Rasputin.
💡Autopsy
An autopsy is a medical examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death. The video script refers to the official autopsy performed on Rasputin's body, which revealed that he had been shot three times, with the shot to the forehead being the fatal one, and that there was no trace of poison in his body, debunking some of the myths surrounding his death.
💡Nobles and Politicians
Nobles and politicians in the script refer to the group of influential individuals who plotted to kill Rasputin due to his unpopularity and perceived negative impact on the Russian war effort. This group, led by Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, represents the opposition to Rasputin's influence within the royal family and the government.
Highlights

Sponsorship by Wix for creating a website through Wix.com/go/Simple History.

Grigory Yefimovich Rasputin, born in Siberia, led a simple life until a religious awakening at 28.

Rasputin's transformation from peasant to wandering self-proclaimed holy man.

Rumors of Rasputin's involvement in debauchery, drunkenness, and occult practices.

Rasputin's rise to popularity in St. Petersburg high society by 1906.

Rasputin's friendship with Tsar Nicholas II and his family.

Queen Alexandra's belief in Rasputin as a healer for her hemophiliac son, Alexei.

Rasputin's growing influence over the royal family and political decisions.

Resentment among Russian people and politicians due to Rasputin's influence.

An assassination attempt on Rasputin by Chuniya Guseva in 1914.

Russia's poor performance in World War I and the blame on Rasputin's influence.

The plot to kill Rasputin led by Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich.

The failed poisoning attempt with cyanide-laced food and drink.

Rasputin's alleged survival of being shot and subsequent attack on his assassins.

The sensational accounts of Rasputin's death and his supposed superhuman powers.

Official autopsy findings: three gunshot wounds, no poison, likely dead before being thrown into the river.

Postmortem injuries to Rasputin's body from being dumped through a fishing hole.

Consequences for Prince Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich after Rasputin's murder.

Rasputin's burial and the subsequent Russian Revolution leading to the abdication of Nicholas II.

Wix advertisement encouraging website creation with their tools and features.

Transcripts

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RasputinTsar NicholasRussian HistoryAssassinationMystic PowersRoyal Influence1916WWIPeasant ProphetSimple History