Primary sourceDocument
Signature of Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II's handwritten signature, which appeared on his decrees, manifestos and the act of abdication.
His own handwritten signature, used on decrees and manifestos including his abdication.
About this source
What it is
This is the autograph signature of Nicholas II, written 'Nikolai' in cursive Cyrillic script. It is the form of signature he used on official state papers.
Why it matters
A ruler's signature gave legal force to decrees and manifestos. Nicholas's signature appears on documents throughout his reign, including the manifesto by which he gave up the throne in 1917, making this simple mark a trace of some of the most important decisions in Russian history.
Look closer
- What do the flourish and underline in the signature suggest about formal handwriting of the period?
- Why do historians treat a signature as important evidence, even though it contains no words of explanation?
- What can't a signature alone tell you about the decisions behind a document?
This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Tsar Nicholas II on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
More Tsar Nicholas II sources
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Newspaper articlePrimary source
October Manifesto
Nicholas II of Russia · 30 October 1905
DocumentPrimary source
Nicholas II of Russia's abdication
Nicholas II of Russia · 2 March 1917 (O.S.) / 15 March 1917 (N.S.)
DocumentPrimary source
St. Petersburg Workmen's Petition to the Tsar
Georgy Gapon · January 1905
Primary source
Russian Constitution of 1906
Nicholas II of Russia · 6 May 1906
LetterPrimary source
Willy–Nicky Correspondence
Nicholas II of Russia and Wilhelm II · July–August 1914
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