Considered Russia's last true autocrat, Alexander III was the epitome of what a Russian Tsar was supposed to be. (editor, 1967) ". [12] Two days after Empress Marie died, his father told him, I shall live as I wish, and my union with Princess Dolgorukova is definite" but assured him that "your rights will be safeguarded.[13] Alexander was furious over his father's decision to marry Catherine a month after his mother's death, which he believed forever ruined all the dear good memories of family life.[14] His father threatened to disinherit him if he left court out of protest against the marriage. His reign saw no major wars being fought by Russia. In disposition he bore little resemblance to his softhearted impressionable father and still less to his refined, chivalrous, yet complex granduncle Alexander I. 1 March] 1881 until his death on 1 November [O.S. During the years of his reign Russia was not involved in even a single major war. In 1866 Alexander married the daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark, Dagmar (Marie Sophie Frederikke Dagmar), who had been his late brother's fiancee. At the beginning of 1894 Alexander III was 49 years old. Though he lived in the large Gachina Palace, he chose to live in the renovated servants area. Although he promised at the beginning of his reign to continue the work of his father, he ended up following a more conservative course under the influence of his tutor and personal advisor, Konstantin Petrovich Pobedonostsev. [64][65] Alexander III is believed to be one of Putin's admired historic leaders, along with Joseph Stalin. On ascending to the throne, however, Alexander III took Pobedonostsev's advice and cancelled the policy before its publication. "[39], In the 1860s, Alexander fell in love with his mother's lady-in-waiting, Princess Maria Elimovna Meshcherskaya. Copyright: The content on this page may not be republished without our express permission. Alexander's father, Alexander II, was assassinated by members of the extremist organization Narodnaya Volya. Alexander III; Nicholas II. Foreign investment within the country was at an all time high. Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich (the future Emperor Alexander III) was the second son of Alexander II and the Empress Maria Alexandrovna. "The Orthodox Church in the Baltic Region and the Policies of Alexander Ill's Government. Alexander III (1845-1894) was the father of Nicholas II and the second-last Romanov tsar of Russia. Who Is Czar Aleksandr III's Wife? "Tsar Alexander III and the Boulanger Crisis in France. Contemporaries noted his sturdy health, athletic build and exceptional modesty in everyday life. I was struck by the size of the man, and although cumbersome and heavy, he was still a mighty figure. In disposition, Alexander bore little resemblance to his soft-hearted, liberal father, and still less to his refined, philosophic, sentimental, chivalrous, yet cunning great-uncle Emperor Alexander I. URL: https://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/alexander-iii/ However, according to contemporaries, having seen the horrors of battle first hand, Alexander developed a loathing for war. Alexanders political ideal was a nation containing only one nationality, one language, one religion, and one form of administration, and he did his utmost to prepare for the realization of this ideal by imposing the Russian language and Russian schools on his German, Polish, and Finnish subjects, by fostering Orthodoxy at the expense of other confessions, by persecuting the Jews, and by destroying the remnants of German, Polish, and Swedish institutions in the outlying provinces. Alexander II (Russian: II , tr. [58] By the time that they reached Crimea, they stayed at the Maly Palace in Livadia, as Alexander was too weak to travel any farther. The Okhrana (tsarist secret police) was formed, while government officials were given extensive powers to arrest and exile political dissidents. Queen Victoria commented that she thought him as "a sovereign whom she does not look upon as a gentlemen". Russian language, culture and religion were imposed on peoples across the empire (Russification). In his childhood, he had had an unpleasant experience on a bad-tempered mount. The palace was surrounded by moats, watch towers, and trenches, and soldiers were on guard night and day. On the day of his assassination, Alexander II signed an ukaz setting up consultative commissions to advise the monarch. However, in 1890, the expiration of the treaty coincided with the dismissal of Bismarck by the new German emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II (for whom the Tsar had an immense dislike), and the unwillingness of Wilhelm II's government to renew the treaty. The young Grand Duke was greatly influenced by his tutor Constantine Petrovich Pobedonostsev who instilled into him conservative fundamentals of autocracy, Orthodoxy and nationalism that were required to govern the Russian Empire. Full body measurements . An inscription says "Russia has only two allies: the Army and the Navy", although historians dispute whether the Tsar actually said those words. . He was known to be highly conservative and a staunch supporter of Russian nationalism. Nonetheless, in 1892 and 1893, many agricultural areas across the country were hit with famine. Learn about DNA. By the time of the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878, Alexander was in the theater of operations and headed a large force known as the Eastern Detachment that was assigned the task of capturing the Ruschuk fortress on the banks of the Danube. [10] On 9 November[O.S. The Tsar's inability or unwillingness to prepare his son Nicholas at an early age to rule as absolute autocrat further exacerbated the future events that would sweep over his Empire. Autocratic rule was established at a time in Russian history when the nation was illiterate, uneducated, and attacked from foreign powers on all sides. "[42] He died in Dagmar's arms, and his daughter Olga noted that "my mother still held him in her arms" long after he died.[43]. It yielded six children including the future Nicholas II. "[6], Unlike his extroverted wife, Alexander disliked social functions and avoided St. Petersburg. Height: in centimeters - N/A: Weight: in kg - N/A: Eye Color: N/A: Hair Color: N/A: Blood Type: N/A: Tattoo(s) N/A: Alexander III of Russia. He was known to be highly conservative and a staunch supporter of Russian nationalism. Alexander's major foreign policy achievement was helping forge the Russo-French Alliance and thus directing a major shift in the international relations of Russian society. During the years of his reign Russia was not involved in even a single major war. 20 October]1894 at the age of forty-nine, and was succeeded by his eldest son Tsesarevich Nicholas, who took the throne as Nicholas II. In 1909, a bronze equestrian statue of Alexander III sculpted by Paolo Troubetzkoy was placed in Znamenskaya Square in front of the Moscow Rail Terminal in St. Petersburg. He encouraged trade and commerce and took steps to revive Russias economy which had suffered a major setback after the Russian-Turkish war of 18771878. Biography Alexander III of Russia was the emperor of Russia from 1881 to 1894. [52] The prefect of St. Petersburg needed to escort Vladimir out of the restaurant. Industrial development increased during his reign. He imposed the Russian language and Russian schools on his German, Polish, and Finnish subjects, and gave orders for persecuting the Jews and destroying the German, Polish, and Swedish institutions in the Russian provinces. Alexander is also best known as, Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Prince of Finland from 1881 to 1894. He wanted the country to remain true to Russian Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationality, and took drastic steps to prevent revolutionary agitations. No one was seriously hurt, but the strong Alexander III lifted the roof of the car from the wreckage so that his family could escape. When his father died, Alexander became Tsar. He wanted to create a nation that was composed of a single nationality, language, and religion, as well as one form of administration. He was known to be highly conservative and a staunch supporter of Russian nationalism. Influenced by his Danish wife Dagmar, Alexander criticized the "shortsighted government" for helping the "Prussian pigs". Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. - Alexander III, the Russian Revolution. Russian Revolution memory quiz events 1907-1916, Russian Revolution memory quiz events 1917, Russian Revolution memory quiz events 1918-1924, Russian Revolution memory quiz revolutionaries, Russian Revolution memory quiz tsarists, Russian Revolution memory quiz: concepts (I), Russian Revolution memory quiz: concepts (II), Russian Revolution memory quiz: events 1906 to 1913, Russian Revolution memory quiz: events 1914 to 1916, Russian Revolution memory quiz: events to 1905, a statement asserting his belief in unshakable autocracy. In more ordinary cases Tsar Alexander III could be at once kind, simple, and even almost homely. All of Alexander III's internal reforms aimed to reverse the liberalization that had occurred in his father's reign. Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Prince of Finland from 1881 to 1894. His father had been a soft-hearted, liberal ruler and Alexander III was nothing like him in disposition. He was the embodiment of the fabled Russian bear. Their marriage was a happy one with no known infidelity. Citation information Age, Height & Body Measurements. During his years as heir apparentfrom 1865 to 1881Alexander let it be known that certain of his ideas did not coincide with the principles of the existing government. Bound by duty, he left his lady-love and married Princess Dagmar of Denmark (later known as Maria Feodorovna) in 1866 in the Imperial Chapel of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Alexander III of Russia was born on March 10, 1845 in Saint Petersburg, Russian, is Former Emperor of All Russia. Any liberal proposals in government were quickly dismissed. Initially, Alexander refused to travel to Copenhagen because he wanted to marry Maria. Alexander III became ill with incurable kidney disease in early 1894 and died on 1 November 1894, at the age 6f 49. The rest would bear a princely title and the style of Serene Highness. The look of a man who stood above all others, but who carried a monstrous burden and who every minute had to fear for his life and the lives of those closest to him. At the same time, the country experienced an economic upturn: preparations were made for a monetary reform and the introduction of the gold-backed rouble, a tax reform was introduced, customs regulations adopted, and the introduction of a government monopoly on the wine trade increased tax revenues. His wife is Czarina Maria Fyodorovna (9 November 1866 - 2 November 1894) ( his death) ( 6 children) Czar Aleksandr III Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. He limited the title of grand duke and duchess to only children and male-line grandchildren of emperors. Alexander III became ill with incurable kidney disease in early 1894 and died on 1 November 1894, at the age 6f 49. [citation needed] Girs was an architect of the Franco-Russian Alliance of 1891, which was later expanded into the Triple Entente with the addition of Great Britain. Pobedonostsev, who influenced the character of his reign by instilling into his mind hatred for representative government and the belief that zeal for Orthodoxy ought to be cultivated by every tsar. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Together, Alexander III and Empress Marie had five children. He wanted the country to remain true to Russian Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationality, and took drastic steps to prevent revolutionary agitations. Alexander became Emperor of Russia when his father was assassinated 23 March 1801. [8] Alexander's parents encouraged the match. The tsesarevich Nikolay, on his deathbed, had expressed a wish that his fiance, Princess Dagmar of Denmark, thenceforward known as Maria Fyodorovna, should marry his successor. During his autocratic reign Russian absolutism asserted itself for the last time. Encouraged by its successful assassination of Alexander II, the Narodnaya Volya movement began planning the murder of Alexander III. Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov, Tsar of all the Russia's, died of Nephritis on October 20, 1894 (OS) at the summer palace at Livadia in the Crimea. Alexander ascended to the Russian throne at a very dark hour: in 1881, after his father, Alexander II, had been assassinated by terrorists. His youngest half-sister Princess Catherine Alexandrovna Yurievskaya remembered when he would play with her and her siblings: "The Emperor seemed a playful and kind Goliath among all the romping children. His teacher instilled in the young man a zeal for Russian Orthodox thought which would influence many of his decisions once he became the emperor. Alexander III had six children (five of whom survived to adulthood) of his marriage with Princess Dagmar of Denmark, also known as Marie Feodorovna. [55], Even though he disliked their mother, Alexander was kind to his half-siblings. Indeed, he rather relished the idea of being of the same rough texture as some of his subjects. The future Alexander III was the second son of Alexander II and Maria Aleksandrovna (Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt). As Tsar, Alexander would repress non-Russians . Let our meeting and events experts help you organize a superb event in St. Petersburg. In 1870, Alexander II supported Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War, which angered the younger Alexander. Then he started studying the principles of law and administration under Konstantin Pobedonostsev. He immediately left the carriage and no amount of pleading from his wife could convince him to get back in.[7]. Pobedonostsev instilled into the young man's mind the belief that zeal for Russian Orthodox thought was an essential factor of Russian patriotism to be cultivated by every right-minded emperor. Though indignant at the conduct of Bismarck toward Russia, he avoided an open rupture with Germany and even revived for a time the Alliance of the Three Emperors between the rulers of Germany, Russia, and Austria. In such policies Alexander III followed the advice of Konstantin Pobedonostsev, who retained control of the Church in Russia through his long tenure as Procurator of the Holy Synod (from 1880 to 1905) and who became tutor to Alexander's son and heir, Nicholas. Great solicitude was devoted to the education of Nicholas as tsesarevich, whereas Alexander received only the training of an ordinary Grand Duke of that period. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/alexander-iii-of-russia-6260.php, Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia. As he passed where I was standing, he raised his head for a second, and to this day I can remember what I felt as our eyes met. The Industrial Revolution had finally come to Russia and capitalism was taking root. During his reign, Russia fought no major wars; he was therefore came to be known as the "The Peacemaker" (Russian: , tr. [citation needed] These ideas conflicted with those of his father, who had German sympathies despite being a patriot; Alexander II often used the German language in his private relations, occasionally ridiculed the Slavophiles and based his foreign policy on the Prussian alliance. He inherited the throne from his father, Alexander II, who was assassinated by an organisation called Narodnaya Volya. His opinions are utterly childish. To his credit, as a husband and a father he was greatly successful. At the moment of the crash, the imperial family was in the dining car. [8], The Tsesarevich could refer to these results as confirmation of the views he had expressed during the Franco-Prussian War; he concluded that for Russia, the best thing was to recover as quickly as possible from her temporary exhaustion, and prepare for future contingencies by military and naval reorganization. Alexander III of Russia, Tsar of Russia, was born 10 March 1845 in Saint Petersburg, Russia to Alexander II of Russia (1818-1881) and Maria von Hessen und bei Rhein (1824-1880) and died 1 November 1894 Livadia Palace Livadiya, Russia of nephritis. Although the existence of the Austro-German alliance was not disclosed to the Russians until 1887, the tsarevich reached the conclusion that for Russia the best thing to do was to prepare for future contingencies by a radical scheme of military and naval reorganization. Date accessed: March 02, 2023 In response Alexander III then began cordial relations with France, eventually entering into an alliance with the French in 1892. He imposed the Russian language and Russian schools on his German, Polish, and Finnish subjects, and gave orders for persecuting the Jews and destroying the German, Polish, and Swedish institutions in the Russian provinces. This Russian Revolution site contains articles, sources and perspectives on events in Russia between 1891 and 1927. Authors: Jennifer Llewellyn, Michael McConnell, Steve Thompson On 19 May 1866, Alexander II informed his son that Russia had come to an agreement with the parents of Princess Dagmar of Denmark, the fiance of his late elder brother Nicholas. He was a conscientious commander, but he was mortified when most of what Russia had obtained by the Treaty of San Stefano was taken away at the Congress of Berlin under the chairmanship of the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck. In later years I came into contact with the Emperor on several occasions, and I felt not the slightest bit timid. The reign of Alexander III began in tragedy. Alexander III is best known as a Emperor. [66] On 5 June 2021, he unveiled another monument to Alexander on the site of Gatchina Palace, Leningrad Oblast.[67]. ", Despite his initial reluctance, Alexander grew fond of Dagmar. Most of his 13-year-rule was spent seeking to strengthen autocracy. 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