The final years of this Dynasty were marred by dual assassinations which claimed one regent, and less than 40 years later, claimed his grandson, the final member of the family to rule:
Explanation
Answer: B - The Romanov Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty to rule Russia, and the final decades of that period included multiple assassinations. Alexander II, whose reign began in 1855, was viewed as one of the greatest reformers in Russian history alongside the likes of Peter the Great. He was assassinated in 1881 when a bomb was thrown into his closed carriage. His son and successor, Alexander III, was rather regressive and reversed many of his father's reforms. When he died in 1894, his son, Nicholas II ascended to the throne. Kind but unprepared to rule, Nicholas continued his father's conservative policies, which contributed to the mounting desire for revolution. The February Revolution of 1917 was successful in the first stage of ending the Romanov reign, when the revolutionaries forced Nicholas to abdicate the throne, effectively ending the Romanov Dynasty. The family was kept under house arrest for a year before Nicholas, his wife, all five of their children and several servants were executed. A day later, extended members of the family were executed, as well. Surviving members of the Romanov family fled the country and never attempted to regain power.
