Khodynka Tragedy

• Nicholas' reign started badly after his coronation ceremony in 1896.
• At Khodynka Field, 500,000 people had gathered with just 1,800 police.
• A stampede took place as people surged to collect free food and a commemorative cup.
• There were rumours that there was not enough food and beer for everyone and that the cups contained a gold coin.
• This stampede left almost 1,400 people dead and about the same injured.
• Nicholas initially wanted to visit the injured but was advised that he should continue with a banquet at the French Embassy.

  
  

  France were important financial backers of Russia at the time.
• It was only later that Nicholas visited the injured but by then, the impression that he didn't care about the ordinary people was widely held even though he gave money to families of the dead.