Glencoe World History: Modern Times

"The Russian Royal Family"

Introduction
Czar Nicholas II, his wife, Alexandra, and their five children were murdered on the night of July 16, 1918. Soon after, rumors began to circulate that some members of the family had survived. In 1921, a young woman in Dalldorf, Germany, claimed to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, youngest daughter of Nicholas II. After later DNA testing of tissues from Anna Anderson, the woman who claimed to be Anastasia, it was revealed that she was not the Grand Duchess. In all probability, Anna Anderson was Franziska Schanzkowska, a Polish farmer’s daughter who had always dreamed of being an actress. Log on to this Web site to learn about the "real" Grand Duchess Anastasia and her royal family.

Destination Title: My Name is Anastasia

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Directions

Start at the My Name is Anastasia Web site.

• Read through each of the five main sections of this Web site, taking notes as you go.

1			Describe the royal family's living conditions.
2			Examine the photographs of Czar Nicholas II and his family shown throughout the Web site. Do you think these photographs show an idealized view of royalty?
3			Why did the Russian people become so unhappy with Czar Nicholas II?
4			The woman claiming to be Anastasia convinced many people of the authenticity of her claim. What do you think might have motivated her to act out the part of Anastasia for so many years?
5			Imagine you are a reporter who is interviewing Anastasia. On a separate sheet of paper, write follow-up questions for her. Make sure that the questions cover information that is currently lacking in her account on the Web site.