Glencoe World History © 2010

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, Anna Anderson, a young woman in Dalldorf, Germany, claimed to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, youngest daughter of Nicholas II. DNA testing in 1994 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. In this activity, you will learn about the "real" Grand Duchess Anastasia and her royal family.

Destination Title: Anastasia: Her Life and Legend

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Directions

• Read the information on the home page.
• Click on each link on the left side of the screen. Read the information on the Web site.
• Take notes as you read.

Use the information you found to answer the following questions.

1			Describe the royal family's living conditions prior to World War I.
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? Explain.
3			How and where did the royal family live after Nicholas II was forced to give up the throne?
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. Write at least seven questions you would like to ask her.