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Autocracy: A Legacy of Power and Control, from the Pyongyang Skyline of North Korea's Propaganda Posters to the Thrones of Russia's Past From the defensive call to arms of "Peace Must be Defended" against the backdrop of the North Korean capital, to the regal bearing of the Russian Royal Family in a black and white photograph from 1914, autocracy's grip on power is a lasting testament to the human capacity for rule by decree. The oil painting "Red Sunday" from 1905 depicts the chaos and unrest that often accompanies autocratic rule, as seen in the tumultuous streets of St. Petersburg during the Russian Revolution. The color lithograph "Serious Troubles in St. Petersburg" further illustrates the turmoil, as the people clamor for change. Yet, autocrats like Nicholas I of Russia, who ruled from 1825 to 1855, believed in their divine right to rule, as evidenced by the title page to "The Divine Right and Original of the Civil Magistrate from God." Despite the cries for reform, the autocratic rule of Nicholas I and his predecessor, Catherine the Great, held sway over their respective empires. However, the people were not without recourse. The call to "Save Your Child from Autocracy and Poverty, Buy War Savings Stamps" during the Russian Revolution was a clarion call to action against the oppressive regime. Autocracy, with its promise of absolute power and control, has left a complex and enduring legacy, a testament to the human capacity for both greatness and suffering.