I'd like to think about unusual fate Emperor Alexander III. In his family he was often called Sasha the Bear, for his clumsiness and great height. Perhaps, let's start with the fact that Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich was the second son in the family and should not have become the head of the state. The heir to the throne was his older brother Nicholas. In 1864, having completed his education, Grand Duke Nicholas, according to tradition, royal family went on a trip abroad. While in Italy, the Tsarevich fell ill and soon died of tuberculosis of the spinal cord. Alexander was proclaimed heir to the throne. Unlike his brother Nikolai, Alexander’s studies proceeded with great difficulty. His father, Alexander II, urgently tried to fill the gaps in his son’s knowledge, but at the age of 20 it’s difficult to sit down at a desk again. Legislation was taught to the Tsarevich by the future chief prosecutor Holy Synod K.P. Pobedonostsev. In 1865, he left an entry in his diary: “Today, after the first lessons with Tsarevich Alexander, I tried to ask the Grand Duke about what he had learned, to see what was left in his head. There was nothing left - and the poverty of information, or, better said, , the poverty of ideas is amazing." Let's just say that this is not a very flattering assessment of the mental abilities of the future king!
Alexander Alexandrovich married his late brother's fiancee, the Danish princess Dagmara. Surprisingly, the marriage turned out to be happy. Unlike his father Alexander II, who lived in two families, Alexander was an excellent family man.
In 1881, Alexander II was killed, who did not have time to introduce a representative body (the prototype of the constitution). Alexander the Third returned to autocratic politics and before his last days remained his chief adviser former teacher Pobedonostsev.
The new emperor preferred to appoint people with Russian surnames to positions, even if the applicant had German roots was an order of magnitude higher than its Russian counterpart. This was not far-sighted on the part of the king of a multinational empire!
Alexander the Third was also distinguished by his sense of humor. One day the soldier Oreshkin began to rage in a tavern. They tried to reason with him by pointing to the portrait of the sovereign. The soldier replied: “I don’t care about your sovereign emperor.” He was arrested and tried to open a case with political overtones. After reviewing the documents, Alexander realized that the case was not worth a penny, and the soldier was not a revolutionary, but simply a bitter drunkard. On the folder with the data on the soldier, he wrote: “Stop the case, release Oreshkin, don’t hang my portraits in taverns, tell Oreshkin that I didn’t give a damn about him either!”
In character and habits, Alexander the Third was little like his ancestors. The emperor was distinguished by his enormous stature and possessed great strength. It is enough to remember how the train in which the king and his family were traveling derailed. During the crash, the roof of the carriage collapsed and Alexander held it on his shoulders until his wife and children got out. When the police wanted to open a case of a terrorist attack, the emperor waved his hand, saying: “There is less need to steal.” Indeed, the embankment on which the train overturned was made with violations and many building materials were stolen.
The head of the empire was devoid of aristocracy and dressed simply. He was thrifty and even stingy, often appearing in public in worn trousers and a coat.
During the reign of Alexander III, the country never fought a war; people called him “The Peacemaker” for this.
Emperor Dagmar's wife, Maria Fedorovna in Orthodoxy, tried to protect her husband from the harmful habit of drinking. In order not to upset his wife, the king came up with boots with wide tops, in which it was convenient to hide a bottle of vodka. The poor empress could not understand how it was that she checked the office and the generals who came to see her husband for vodka and found nothing, and an hour later both the tsar and the speaker were drunk. All this was funny for the time being, but excessive alcohol consumption led the emperor to severe kidney disease and early death.
The son of the late Emperor Nicholas II decided to erect a monument to his father. And even the monument to Alexander Alexandrovich was different from the pedestals of his ancestors. He was far from the classical canons, which became the reason for the evil epigrams.
There is a chest of drawers
There's a hippopotamus on the dresser,
There's a freak on the hippopotamus,
On the back of the hat,
There's a cross on the hat
Who can guess
Togo is under arrest.
V.V. Dolgov
“He leaves Russia greater than he received it,” the press wrote about the ruler, who earned the nickname “peacemaker.”
120 years ago, on November 1, 1894, the 13th Russian Emperor Alexander III died in the Livadia Palace in Crimea. The ruler, famous for his heroic strength, did not live a year before his 50th birthday.
The doctors' report stated that the cause of death was chronic nephritis with consistent damage to the heart and blood vessels, as well as a hemorrhagic infarction in the left lung. Experts agreed that the emperor developed kidney disease after a train accident in which a train carrying the royal family was involved in 1888. The roof of the carriage in which Alexander III was traveling collapsed and the tsar, according to eyewitnesses, held it on his shoulders until help arrived.
The story of the patch
Despite his more than noble position, which favored luxury, extravagance and a cheerful lifestyle, which, for example, Catherine II managed to combine with reforms and decrees, Emperor Alexander III was so modest that this trait of his character became a favorite topic of conversation among his subjects .
For example, there was an incident that one of the king’s associates wrote down in his diary. One day he happened to be next to the emperor, and then some object suddenly fell from the table. Alexander III bent down to the floor to pick it up, and the courtier, with horror and shame, from which even the top of his head turns a beetroot color, notices that in a place that is not customary to be named in society, the king has a rough patch!
It should be noted here that the tsar did not wear pants made of expensive materials, preferring rough, military cut ones, not at all because he wanted to save money, as she did future wife his son, Alexandra Fedorovna, who gave her daughters’ dresses to junk dealers for sale, after first disputing the expensive buttons. The emperor was simple and undemanding in his everyday life; he wore out his uniform, which should have been thrown away long ago, and gave torn clothes to his orderly to be repaired and mended where needed.
Non-royal preferences
Alexander III was a categorical man and it was not for nothing that he was called a monarchist and an ardent defender of autocracy. He never allowed his subjects to contradict him. However, there were plenty of reasons for this: the emperor significantly reduced the staff of the court ministry, and reduced the balls that were given regularly in St. Petersburg to four per year.
The emperor not only demonstrated indifference to secular fun, but also showed a rare disregard for what brought pleasure to many and served as an object of cult. For example, food. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, he preferred simple Russian food: cabbage soup, fish soup and fried fish, which I caught myself while leaving with my family on vacation to the Finnish skerries.
One of Alexander’s favorite delicacies was “Guryevskaya” porridge, invented by the serf cook of the retired major Yurisovsky, Zakhar Kuzmin. The porridge was prepared simply: semolina boiled in milk and added nuts - walnuts, almonds, hazel, then poured in creamy foam and generously sprinkled with dried fruits.
The tsar always preferred this simple dish to exquisite French desserts and Italian delicacies, which he ate over tea in his Annichkov Palace. The tsar did not like the Winter Palace with its pompous luxury. However, given the background of mended pants and porridge, this is not surprising.
The power that saved the family
The emperor had one destructive passion, which, although he struggled with it, sometimes prevailed. Alexander III loved to drink vodka or strong Georgian or Crimean wine - it was with them that he replaced expensive foreign varieties. In order not to injure the tender feelings of his beloved wife Maria Feodorovna, he secretly put a flask with a strong drink in the top of his wide tarpaulin boots and drank it when the empress could not see it.
Speaking about the relationship between spouses, it should be noted that they can serve as an example of reverent treatment and mutual understanding. For thirty years they lived in good spirit - the timid emperor, who did not like crowded gatherings, and the cheerful, cheerful Danish princess Maria Sophia Friederike Dagmar.
It was rumored that in early years she loved to do gymnastics and performed masterly somersaults in front of the future emperor. However, the king also loved physical activity and was famous throughout the state as a hero man. 193 centimeters tall, with a large figure and broad shoulders, he bent coins and bent horseshoes with his fingers. His amazing strength even once saved the lives of him and his family.
In the fall of 1888, the royal train crashed at the Borki station, 50 kilometers from Kharkov. Seven carriages were destroyed, there were seriously wounded and dead among the servants, but members of the royal family remained unharmed: at that time they were in the dining carriage. However, the roof of the carriage still collapsed, and, according to eyewitnesses, Alexander held it on his shoulders until help arrived. Investigators who found out the causes of the crash summed up that the family was miraculously saved, and if the royal train continues to travel at such speed, then a miracle may not happen a second time.
“I spit on him too”
It’s curious, but even though the emperor preferred the autocratic policies of his grandfather and did not support his father’s reforms, he could not be called a formidable king, despite his height and “basilisk look.”
Once, private soldier Oreshkin had too much alcohol in a tavern. He began to rage, shout and use foul language. When they tried to pacify and shame him, pointing to a portrait of the emperor hanging in the room, the soldier suddenly fell silent, and then, as if flying from a mountain, declared that he did not care about the king. The brawler was arrested and reported to Alexander. The tsar listened to those who spoke, thought about it, and ordered that his portrait no longer be hung in drinking establishments, and the soldier was released from prison and told that the emperor “didn’t give a damn about him either.”
Tsar-artist and art lover
Despite the fact that in everyday life he was simple and unpretentious, thrifty and even thrifty, huge amounts of money were spent on purchasing objects of art. Even in my youth future emperor He was fond of painting and even studied drawing with the famous professor Tikhobrazov. However, the royal chores took a lot of time and effort, and the emperor was forced to leave his studies. But he retained his love for the elegant until his last days and transferred it to collecting. It is not for nothing that his son Nicholas II, after the death of his parent, founded the Russian Museum in his honor.
The emperor provided patronage to artists, and even such a seditious painting as “Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan on November 16, 1581” by Repin, although it caused discontent, did not become the reason for the persecution of the Wanderers. Also, the tsar, who was devoid of external gloss and aristocracy, unexpectedly had a good understanding of music, loved the works of Tchaikovsky and contributed to the fact that not Italian opera and ballets, but works of domestic composers, were performed on the theater stage. Until his death, he supported Russian opera and Russian ballet, which received worldwide recognition and veneration.
Emperor's Legacy
During the reign Alexandra III Russia was not drawn into any serious political conflict, A revolutionary movement it became a dead end, which was nonsense, since the murder of the previous tsar was seen as a sure reason to start a new round of terrorist acts and a change in state order.
The emperor introduced a number of measures that made life easier for the common people. He gradually abolished the poll tax and paid special attention Orthodox Church and influenced the completion of the construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Alexander III loved Russia and, wanting to fence it off from an unexpected invasion, strengthened the army. His expression “Russia has only two allies: the army and the navy” became popular.
The emperor also has another phrase: “Russia for Russians.” However, there is no reason to blame the tsar for nationalism: Minister Witte, whose wife was of Jewish origin, recalled that Alexander’s activities were never aimed at bullying national minorities, which, by the way, changed during the reign of Nicholas II, when the Black Hundred movement found support in the government level.
About forty monuments were erected in honor of Emperor Alexander III in the Russian Empire.
Born into a Russian-German family in 1845 future ruler Russian Empire Alexander III. The emperor had a good and affectionate, at the same time strong-willed and tough character. Nevertheless, the emperor was called the “peacemaker” because of his noble deeds. Alexander III strengthened the Russian Empire, made many reforms for local residents, established partnerships with neighbors. Next, we suggest viewing more amazing and interesting facts about Alexander III.
2. Alexander III is the second son of Emperor Alexander II.
3. During his reign, he strengthened the role of the central and local administration.
4. Signed the Russian-French alliance.
5. Alexander becomes prince in 1865 after the death of his older brother.
6. S.M. Soloviev was the mentor of the young emperor.
7. K.P. Pobedonostsev provided greatest influence to Alexander.
8. In 1866, the prince married the Danish princess Dagmar.
9. The emperor had five children.
10. Since 1868, Alexander became a member of the Committee of Ministers and the State Council.
11. Created the Voluntary Fleet, which contributed to the government’s foreign economic policy.
12. Alexander was distinguished by frugality, piety and modesty.
13. The emperor was interested in history, painting and music.
14. Alexander III allowed smoking in public places.
15. The emperor had a straightforward and limited mind, at the same time a strong will.
16. Alexander felt a strong hostility towards the intelligentsia and liberalism.
17. The emperor adhered to patriarchal-parental autocratic rule.
19. Strengthening censorship and administrative and police repression characterized the beginning of the reign of Alexander III.
20. In 1883, the official coronation of Alexander III took place.
21. Marked by pragmatism foreign policy Emperor.
22. During the reign of Alexander III, economic growth was observed.
23. The emperor was distinguished by his cruelty and capricious character regarding domestic politics.
24. Alexander III invented tarpaulin boots.
25. The emperor was a loving and caring husband.
26. Alexander III had strong passion to alcoholic drinks.
27. The king was distinguished by his heroic figure and “the look of a basilisk.”
28. The emperor was afraid to ride a horse.
30. For his loyal foreign policy, Alexander was nicknamed the “peacemaker.”
31. The emperor wore modest clothes made of coarse fabrics.
32. Alexander significantly reduced the staff of the ministry and the annual balls.
33. The emperor demonstrated indifference to social fun.
34. Alexander fished himself and loved simple cabbage soup.
35. “Gurievskaya” porridge was one of Alexander’s favorite delicacies.
36. The emperor lived with his lawful wife for thirty years.
37. The king was very fond of physical activity and regularly went in for sports.
38. Alexander III had a height of 193 cm, broad shoulders and a strong figure.
39. The emperor could bend a horseshoe with his hands.
40. Alexander was unpretentious and simple in everyday life.
41. The young emperor was fond of painting and painted portraits himself.
42. The Russian Museum was founded in honor of Alexander III.
43. The Emperor was well versed in music and loved the works of Tchaikovsky.
44. Until his death, Alexander supported ballet and Russian opera.
45. During the reign of the emperor, Russia was not drawn into any serious international conflict.
46. Alexander introduced a number of decrees that made life easier for the common people.
47. The emperor influenced the completion of the construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
48. Alexander III loved Russia very much, so he constantly strengthened the army.
49. “Russia for Russians” is a phrase that belonged to the emperor.
50. Russia never fought a day during the reign of Alexander III.
51. During the reign of the emperor, the Russian population increased significantly.
52. Alexander III built a 28,000 verst railway.
53. The number of sea and river steamships has increased significantly.
54. In 1873, the volume of trade turnover increased to 8.2 billion rubles.
55. Alexander was distinguished by a serious sense of respect for the state ruble.
56. In 1891, construction began on a strategically important Trans-Siberian Railway.
57. During the reign of the emperor, new industrial areas and industrial cities grew.
58. Volume foreign trade by 1900 it had grown to 1.3 billion rubles.
59. Alexander III saved Europe from war many times.
60. The emperor lived only 49 years.
61. In 1891, the silver wedding of the emperor was celebrated in Livadia.
62. Alexander was called Sasha the Bear for his clumsiness.
63. An unusual feeling The emperor was noted for his humor.
64. The head of the empire was devoid of aristocracy and dressed very simply.
65. The most prosperous reign in the Russian Empire was the reign of the thirteenth emperor.
67. Emperor in free time loved to hunt.
68. Alexander III was very afraid of attempts on his life.
69. Up to 400 thousand peasants were resettled to Siberia.
70. The work of women and young children was limited during the reign of the emperor.
71. In foreign policy, there was a deterioration in Russian-German relations.
72.V imperial family was the second son Grand Duke Alexander III.
73. In 1866, the emperor went on a trip to Europe.
74. In 1882, “Temporary Press Rules” were introduced.
75. Gatchina became the main residence of the emperor.
76. Ceremonial and court etiquette became much simpler under Alexander III.
77. Royal balls were held only four times a year.
78. Alexander III was a passionate art collector.
79. The emperor was an exemplary family man.
80. Alexander donated large sums for the construction of temples and monasteries.
81. The emperor loved fishing in his free time.
82. Belovezhskaya Pushcha- the king's favorite hunting spot.
83. V.D. Martynov was appointed manager of the royal stables.
84. Alexander was embarrassed by large masses of people.
85. The Emperor canceled the May parade, beloved by St. Petersburg residents.
86. During the reign of the emperor, peasants were excluded from elections.
87. Publicity was limited in political affairs and legal proceedings.
88. In 1884, the autonomy of universities was abolished.
89. During the reign of Alexander, tuition fees in higher education increased educational institutions.
90. In 1883, the publication of radical publications was banned.
91. In 1882, the Peasant Bank was first established.
92. Noble Bank was founded in 1885.
93. In his youth, the emperor was an ordinary guy without any special talents or abilities.
94. Nikolai Alexandrovich was the elder brother of the emperor.
95. D.A. Tolstoy was appointed Minister of the Interior during the reign of Alexander.
96. The Emperor tried different ways suppress the opposition press.
97. All of Europe was shocked by the death of the Russian Tsar.
98. Chronic nephritis caused the death of the emperor.
All-Russian Emperor Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov was born on February 26 (old style) 1845 in St. Petersburg in the Anichkov Palace. His father was a reforming emperor, and his mother was a queen. The boy was the third child in a family that later had five more children. His older brother Nicholas was preparing to become king, and Alexander was destined for the fate of a military man.
As a child, the Tsarevich studied without much zeal, and the teachers were undemanding to him. In the memoirs of his contemporaries, young Alexander was not very smart, but he had a sound mind and the gift of reasoning.
Alexander was kind-hearted and a little shy, although he had a distinguished figure: with a height of 193 cm, his weight reached 120 kg. Despite its harsh appearance, the young man loved art. He took painting lessons from Professor Tikhobrazov and studied music. Alexander mastered playing brass and woodwind instruments. Subsequently, he will support Russian art in every possible way and, with sufficient unpretentiousness in everyday life, will collect good collection works of Russian artists. And in opera houses with him light hand Russian operas and ballets will begin to be staged much more often than European ones.
Tsarevichs Nicholas and Alexander were very close to each other. Younger brother he even claimed that there was no one closer and more beloved to him except Nikolai. Therefore, when in 1865, the heir to the throne, while traveling in Italy, suddenly felt ill and died suddenly from spinal tuberculosis, Alexander could not accept this loss for a long time. In addition, it turned out that it was he who became a contender for the throne, for which Alexander was completely unprepared.
The young man’s teachers were horrified for a moment. To a young man A course of special lectures was urgently assigned, which were read to him by his mentor Konstantin Pobedonostsev. After his accession to the kingdom, Alexander will make his teacher an adviser and will turn to him for the rest of his life. Nikolai Alexandrovich Kachalov was appointed another assistant to the Tsarevich, with whom the young man traveled around Russia.
Enthronement
In early March 1881, after another assassination attempt, Emperor Alexander II died from his wounds, and his son immediately ascended the throne. Two months later, the new emperor published the “Manifesto on the Inviolability of Autocracy,” which stopped all liberal changes in the structure of the state established by his father.
The sacrament of royal coronation took place later - on May 15, 1883 in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. During his reign, the royal family moved to the palace in Gatchina.
Domestic policy of Alexander III
Alexander III adhered to pronounced monarchical and nationalist principles, his actions during domestic policy could be called a counter-reformation. The first thing the emperor did was sign decrees with which he sent liberal ministers to retire. Among them were Prince Konstantin Nikolaevich, M. T. Loris-Melikova, D. A. Milyutin, A. A. Abaza. Key figures He made his entourage K.P. Pobedonostsev, N. Ignatiev, D.A. Tolstoy, M.N. Katkov.
In 1889, a talented politician and financier S. Yu. Witte appeared at court, whom Alexander Alexandrovich soon appointed Minister of Finance and Minister of Transport. Sergei Yulievich did a lot for Great Russia. He introduced the backing of the ruble with the country's gold reserves, which contributed to the strengthening of the Russian currency on the international market. This has led to the flow of foreign capital into Russian Empire increased, and the economy began to develop at an accelerated pace. In addition, he did a lot for the development and construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which is still the only road connecting Vladivostok with Moscow.
Despite the fact that Alexander III tightened the right for peasants to receive education and vote in zemstvo elections, he gave them the opportunity to take out loans at low interest rates in order to expand their farms and strengthen their position on the land. The emperor also introduced restrictions for the nobles. Already in the first year of his reign, he abolished all additional payments from the royal treasury to those close to him, and also did a lot to eradicate corruption.
Alexander III strengthened control over students, set a limit on the number of Jewish students in all educational institutions, and tightened censorship. His slogan was the phrase: “Russia for Russians.” On the outskirts of the Empire, he proclaimed active Russification.
Alexander III did a lot for the metallurgical industry and the development of oil and gas production. Under him, a real boom began in improving the well-being of the people, and terrorist threats completely ceased. The autocrat did a lot for Orthodoxy. Under his reign, the number of dioceses increased, new monasteries and churches were built. In 1883, one of the most majestic buildings was erected - the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Alexander III left a country with a strong economy as a legacy after his reign.
Foreign policy of Alexander III
Emperor Alexander III, with his wisdom in foreign policy actions and avoidance of wars, went down in history as the Tsar-Peacemaker. But at the same time, he did not forget to strengthen the power of the army. Under Alexander III Russian fleet became the third after the flotillas of France and Great Britain.
The emperor managed to maintain calm relations with all his main rivals. He signed peace agreements with Germany and England, and also significantly strengthened Franco-Russian friendship on the world stage.
During his reign, the practice of open negotiations was established, and the rulers of the European powers began to trust the Russian Tsar as a wise arbiter in resolving all controversial issues between states.
Personal life
After the death of Nikolai's heir, he was left with a bride, Danish princess Maria Dagmar. Unexpectedly, it turned out that young Alexander was also in love with her. And even despite the fact that for some time he courted his maid of honor, Princess Maria Meshcherskaya, Alexander, at the age of 21, proposes to Maria Sofia Frederica. So for short term Alexander’s personal life changed, which he never regretted later.
After the wedding sacrament, which took place in big church Winter Palace, the young couple moved to the Anichkov Palace, where they lived until Alexander ascended the throne.
In the family of Alexander Alexandrovich and his wife Maria Feodorovna, who, like all overseas princesses, converted to Orthodoxy before marriage, six children were born, five of whom lived to adulthood.
The elder Nicholas would become the last Russian Tsar from the Romanov dynasty. Of the younger children - Alexander, Georgy, Ksenia, Mikhail, Olga - only sisters will live to old age. Alexander will die at the age of one year, Georgy will die in his youth from tuberculosis, and Mikhail will share the fate of his brother - he will be shot by the Bolsheviks.
The emperor raised his children in strictness. Their clothing and food were very simple. The royal offspring were engaged physical exercise and received a good education. Peace and harmony reigned in the family; spouses and children often traveled to Denmark to visit relatives.
Failed assassination attempt
On March 1, 1887, an unsuccessful attempt was made on the life of the emperor. Participants in the conspiracy were students Vasily Osipanov, Vasily Generalov, Pakhomiy Andreyushkin and Alexander Ulyanov. Despite months of preparation for the terrorist attack under the leadership of Pyotr Shevyrev, the young people were unable to carry out their plan to the end. All four were captured by the police and two months after the trial, they were executed by hanging in the Shlisselburg fortress.
Several members of the revolutionary circle, who were also arrested after the terrorists, were sent into long-term exile.
Death
A year after the assassination attempt, an unpleasant event occurred in the life of the royal family: the train in which Alexander and his relatives were traveling crashed near Kharkov. Part of the train overturned, killing people. The mighty emperor held the roof of the carriage in which the royal persons were located for a long time with his own strength for 30 minutes. With this he saved everyone around him. But such overexertion undermined the king’s health. Alexander Alexandrovich developed kidney disease, which slowly progressed.
First winter months In 1894, the emperor caught a bad cold and six months later he felt very ill. A professor of medicine from Germany, Ernst Leiden, was called and diagnosed Alexander Alexandrovich with nephropathy. On the recommendation of a doctor, the emperor was sent to Greece, but on the way he became worse, and his family decided to stop in Livadia in Crimea.
Within a month, the king's heroic physique faded away before everyone's eyes and for the reason complete failure Kidney died November 1, 1894. During last month Next to him was constantly his confessor John (Yanyshev), as well as Archpriest John Sergiev, in the future John of Kronstadt.
An hour and a half after the death of Alexander III, his son Nicholas swore allegiance to the kingdom. The coffin with the emperor's body was delivered to St. Petersburg and solemnly buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral.
The image of the emperor in art
Not as many books have been written about Alexander III as about other conquering emperors. This happened because of his peacefulness and non-conflict nature. His person is mentioned in some historical books dedicated to the Romanov family.
In documentaries, information about him is presented in several feeds of journalists and. Art films, in which the character of Alexander III was present, began to appear in 1925. A total of 5 films were published, including “The Shore of Life,” in which Lev Zolotukhin played the peacemaker emperor, as well as “The Barber of Siberia,” where he played this role.
The last movie, in which the hero of Alexander III appears, became the 2017 film “Matilda”. He played the king in it.
On February 26, 1845, the future Emperor Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich gave birth to his third child and second son. The boy was named Alexander.
Alexander 3. Biography
For the first 26 years he was raised, like other great princes, to military career, since his elder brother Nicholas was to become the heir to the throne. By the age of 18, Alexander III already held the rank of colonel. The future Russian emperor, if you believe the reviews of his teachers, was not particularly distinguished by the breadth of his interests. According to the teacher’s recollections, Alexander the Third “was always lazy” and began to make up for lost time only when he became heir. An attempt to fill the gaps in education was carried out under the close leadership of Pobedonostsev. At the same time, from sources left by teachers, we learn that the boy was distinguished by perseverance and diligence in penmanship. Naturally, his education was carried out by excellent military specialists, professors from Moscow University. The boy was especially interested in Russian history and culture, which over time developed into real Russophilia.
Alexander was sometimes called slow-witted by members of his family, sometimes called “pug” or “bulldog” for his excessive shyness and clumsiness. According to the recollections of contemporaries, in appearance he did not look like a heavyweight: well built, with a small mustache, and a receding hairline that appeared early. People were attracted by such traits of his character as sincerity, honesty, benevolence, lack of excessive ambition and great feeling responsibility.
Beginning of a political career
His serene life ended when his elder brother Nikolai died suddenly in 1865. Alexander the Third was declared heir to the throne. These events stunned him. He immediately had to take up the duties of the crown prince. His father began to involve him in government affairs. He listened to the reports of ministers, got acquainted with official papers, received membership in State Council and the Council of Ministers. He becomes a major general and ataman of all Cossack troops Russia. That’s when we had to make up for the gaps in youth education. Love for Russia and Russian history He formed a course with Professor S.M. Solovyov. accompanied him all his life.
Alexander the Third remained Tsarevich for quite a long time - 16 years. During this time he received
Combat experience. Participated in Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878, received the Order of St. Vladimir with swords" and "St. George, 2nd degree." It was during the war that he met people who later became his comrades. Later he created the Voluntary Fleet, which Peaceful time was transport, and in the military - combat.
In his internal political life, the Tsarevich did not adhere to the views of his father, Emperor Alexander II, but did not oppose the course of the Great Reforms. His relationship with his parent was complicated and he could not come to terms with the fact that his father, while his wife was alive, settled his favorite E.M. in the Winter Palace. Dolgorukaya and their three children.
The Tsarevich himself was an exemplary family man. He married his deceased brother's fiancée, Princess Louise Sofia Frederica Dagmar, who after the wedding adopted Orthodoxy and a new name - Maria Feodorovna. They had six children.
Happy family life ended on March 1, 1881, when a terrorist attack was committed, as a result of which the father of the Tsarevich died.
Reforms of Alexander 3 or transformations necessary for Russia
On the morning of March 2, members of the State Council and the highest ranks of the court took the oath to the new Emperor Alexander III. He stated that he would try to continue the work started by his father. But the firmest idea about further actions didn't appear for a long time. Pobedonostsev, an ardent opponent of liberal reforms, wrote to the monarch: “Either now save yourself and Russia, or never!”
The emperor’s political course was most accurately outlined in the manifesto of April 29, 1881. Historians nicknamed it “The Manifesto on the Inviolability of Autocracy.” It meant major adjustments to the Great Reforms of the 1860s and 1870s. The government's priority task was to fight the revolution.
The repressive apparatus, political investigation, secret search services, etc. were strengthened. To contemporaries, government policy seemed cruel and punitive. But to those living today, it may seem quite modest. But now we will not dwell on this in detail.
The government tightened its policy in the field of education: universities were deprived of their autonomy, a circular “On cooks’ children” was published, a special censorship regime was introduced regarding the activities of newspapers and magazines, and zemstvo self-government was curtailed. All these transformations were carried out to exclude that spirit of freedom,
Which hovered in post-reform Russia.
The economic policy of Alexander III was more successful. The industrial and financial sphere was aimed at introducing gold backing for the ruble, establishing a protective customs tariff, construction railways, which created not only the necessary communication routes for the domestic market, but also accelerated the development of local industries.
The second successful area was foreign policy. Alexander the Third received the nickname "Emperor-Peacemaker". Immediately after ascending the throne, he sent out a dispatch in which it was announced: the emperor wishes to maintain peace with all powers and focus his special attention on internal affairs. He professed the principles of strong and national (Russian) autocratic power.
But fate gave him a short life. In 1888, the train in which the emperor's family was traveling suffered a terrible crash. Alexander Alexandrovich found himself crushed by the collapsed ceiling. Having a huge physical strength, he helped his wife and children and got out himself. But the injury made itself felt - he developed kidney disease, complicated by “influenza” - the flu. On October 29, 1894, he died before reaching the age of 50. He said to his wife: “I feel the end, be calm, I am completely calm.”
He did not know what trials his beloved Motherland, his widow, his son and the entire Romanov family would have to endure.
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