The impact of Queen Victoria’s genes on Europe The First World War changed the political map of the modern world, by the end of the war in 1918 the emperors of Russia, Germany and Austria had all lost their thrones. Queen Victoria had nine children, of which two daughters Alice and Beatrice, were carriers of haemophilia, and one son Leopold, who was a sufferer. In the nineteenth century members of the royal family were expected to marry someone of the same class and rank; resulting in close relations and the spread of haemophilia between the European royal families. (references?) Impact on Russian history Alexandra, one of Queen Victoria’s many grandchildren, was a haemophilia carrier. In 1894 she married Nicholas II Alexandrovich, the Tsar of Russia, thus becoming Tsarina. Their only son Alexis was a haemophiliac; this was a great source of distress for the young couple, who sought out physicians to treat the heir to the throne.13 …show more content…
Despite his character flaws he built up a close relationship with the Tsarina as royal physician; his “hypnotic powers”4 soothed Alexis in a way that no one else could. In the beginning of the Russian revolution in 1914 Nicholas II joined the front line troops; leaving Alexandra to make important political decisions. Rasputin, who had gained his close relationship with the Tsarina due to Alexis’ condition, used his influence to make drastic changes, leaving the crown very vulnerable. Important leaders and the Russian people began to lose confidence in the crown, thus accelerating the dynasty’s downfall. In 1918 the last Tsar was killed following the Russian Revolution; the fate of the other family members remains a