e he did not die of drowning but of Hypothermia. The Bolsheviks claimed that their motive was the patriotic desire to rid Russia of an evil influence. The fact that rumors had been spreading that Rasputin was having affairs with Alexandra as well as the couple's four daughters. Czar Nicholas's secret police quickly informed the Czar of these rumors. A penitent Rasputin was summoned to appear before the infuriated Czar, but Alexandra defended the staret. Nicholas punished Rasputin by sending him back to the provinces in 1912, but no sooner had Rasputin left when another bleeding crisis almost killed Alexis. Rasputin's influence over the boy guaranteed the monk's return to St. Petersburg. In the 2nd picture, Rasputin is shown groggy after having just drunk a glass of poison. As he stares at the cross in the picture, Prince Yusupov, who was loyal to the king, aims his gun to shoot at Rasputin. Rasputin was persistent in achieving his goals and did so to worm his way into the royal family. His power to heal Alexei and the belief of the Czarina in him ultimately led to the downfall of Russia. All in all Rasputin significantly altered the courses of events in Russia. ...
