Was Rasputin a help or a hinderance to the royal family?

Question

In 1905 russia do you think that Rasputin helped Tsar Nicholas ii or was a problem? If you don't mind could you say why you think this? I am really interested to know what other people think... x

Answer 1

Yes, I would definitely say that he was a hindrance to the family. He first came to the family when he was summoned to heal the Tsar's ailing child, Alexi. He was supposed to have some magical healing power of something. However, he manipulated the Tsar's vulnerability due to his son's condition in order to gain political influence. He maintained a particularly large amount of control over the Tsar's wife. Thus when the Tsar left for the front line during the war, Rasputin was left alone with her. He exerted almost supreme control over her then and had become her main adviser and confidant. Eventually things would spin out into chaos and the Tsar would suffer a demise and eventually the family would be killed. So definitely was a major hindrance to the royal family.  

Answer 2

I believe he was the "lover of the Russian Queen". At least according to the song by Boney M. So, I don't think the Tsar was too impressed...