Michael I
Tsar
Michael Alexandrovich was the son of Tsar Alexander I of Ukraine, and the younger brother of Tsar Nicholas I. As with everyone in his immediate family, he was born into a dynastic dispute between his father and his great-uncle, Tsar Constantine I of Russia. In 1883, he became a Grand Duke of Ukraine as his father created the Tsardom.
During The Great War, Michael fought as an officer in the Ukrainian military. He gained a reputation of care for those under his command, and gained their respect. He was an outspoken critic of the war, as he became very disillusioned with the concept of the "honorable war" from the many deaths around him. As a result, many in the Ukrainian court distanced themselves from him.
Towards the end of the war and his brother's harshness coupled with his ineptitude, Nicholas abdicated the throne to Michael. Michael promptly enter negotiations with Russia and the German Empire. As a formal end to hostilities, Michael also abdicated the throne of Ukraine, signing the nation back over to Russia, which was under the rule of his second cousin, Ivan VII.
Michael was kept in the Russian Royal Court following the war and his abdication. However, his son, George, was kept as an informal political prisoner in St. Petersburg to ensure compliance.
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