CABINET: House of Romanov

The House of Romanov ruled Russia for over three centuries, shaping one of the largest and most powerful empires in world history. From the early consolidation of autocratic authority in the 17th century to the imperial expansion under Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, the Romanovs built a state defined by absolute rule, Orthodox tradition, and rigid social hierarchy. However, by the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this vast empire was increasingly strained by industrialization, economic inequality, and political stagnation.

The abolition of serfdom in 1861, while intended as a reform, exposed the weaknesses of the imperial system rather than resolving them. Rapid urbanization created a growing working class, while intellectual movements inspired by liberalism, socialism, and nationalism challenged the legitimacy of autocracy. The Romanov regime faced mounting pressure from revolutionary organizations, peasant unrest, and ethnic tensions across the empire. Defeats in foreign wars, most notably the Russo-Japanese War, further eroded public confidence in the monarchy.

By the early 1900s, Russia stood at a historical crossroads. The monarchy attempted limited reforms, such as the establishment of the Duma, yet consistently resisted meaningful power-sharing. This contradiction between reform and repression deepened political polarization and intensified opposition. The House of Romanov thus entered the twentieth century ruling an empire rich in resources and tradition, but fragile in legitimacy. This committee explores a dynasty struggling to preserve centuries of imperial authority in the face of irreversible social and political transformation.

Under Secretaries General: Işık Su Zorer, Furkan Talha Kutlu

Academic Assistant: Emir Can Çiçek

AGENDA ITEM

Open Agenda