Biography of Alexander 3 with a source. Alexander III - short biography

Alexander III Alexandrovich (February 26 (March 10), 1845, Anichkov Palace, St. Petersburg - October 20 (November 1), 1894, Livadia Palace, Crimea) - Emperor of All Russia, Tsar of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland from March 1 (13), 1881. Son of Emperor Alexander II and grandson of Nicholas I; father of the last Russian monarch Nicholas II.

Alexander III is a significant figure in the history of Russia. During his reign, no Russian blood was shed in Europe. Alexander III ensured long years of calm for Russia. For his peace-loving policy, he entered Russian history as a "tsar-peacemaker."

He adhered to conservative-protective views and pursued a policy of counter-reforms, as well as Russification of the national outskirts.

He was the second child in the family of Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna Romanov. According to the rules of succession, Alexander was not prepared for the role of ruler Russian Empire. The throne was to take the elder brother - Nicholas. Alexander, not at all envious of his brother, did not feel the slightest jealousy, watching how Nicholas was being prepared for the throne. Nikolai was a diligent student, and Alexander was overcome by boredom in the classroom.

The teachers of Alexander III were such distinguished people as the historians Solovyov, Grott, the remarkable military tactician Dragomirov, and Konstantin Pobedonostsev. It was the latter who had a great influence on Alexander III, largely determining the priorities of the domestic and foreign policy of the Russian emperor. It was Pobedonostsev who brought up in Alexander III a true Russian patriot and Slavophile. Little Sasha was more attracted not by study, but by physical activity. The future emperor loved horseback riding and gymnastics. Even before he came of age, Alexander Alexandrovich showed remarkable strength, easily lifted weights and easily bent horseshoes. He did not like secular entertainment, he preferred to spend free time to improve skills in riding, and the development of physical strength. The brothers joked, they say, - "Sasha is the Hercules of our family." Alexander loved the Gatchina Palace, and loved to spend time there, spending his days walking in the park, thinking about the day ahead.

In 1855 Nicholas was proclaimed Tsarevich. Sasha was glad for his brother, and even more so that he himself would not have to be emperor. However, fate nevertheless prepared the Russian throne for Alexander Alexandrovich. Nicholas's health deteriorated. The Tsarevich suffered from rheumatism from a bruised spine, and later he also contracted tuberculosis. In 1865 Nikolai died. Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov was proclaimed the new heir to the throne. It is worth noting that Nicholas had a bride - the Danish princess Dagmar. They say that the dying Nikolai took the hands of Dagmar and Alexander with one hand, as if urging two close people not to be separated after his death.

In 1866, Alexander III set off on a trip to Europe. His path lies in Copenhagen, where he wooed his brother's bride. Dagmar and Alexander became close when they cared for the sick Nikolai together. Their engagement took place on June 17 in Copenhagen. On October 13, Dagmar converted to Orthodoxy and became known as Maria Fedorovna Romanova, and on that day the young people got engaged.

Alexander III and Maria Fedorovna Romanov lived a happy family life. Their family is a true role model. Alexander Alexandrovich was a real, exemplary family man. The Russian Emperor loved his wife very much. After the wedding, they settled in the Anichkov Palace. The couple was happy and raised three sons and two daughters. The first-born of the imperial couple was the son Nikolai. Alexander loved all his children very much, but the second son, Mishka, enjoyed special paternal love.

The high morality of the emperor gave him the right to ask her from the courtiers. Under Alexander III, the Russian autocrat fell into disgrace for adultery. Alexander Alexandrovich was modest in everyday life, did not like idleness. Witte, the Minister of Finance of the Russian Empire, witnessed how the emperor's valet darned worn things for him.

The emperor loved pictures. The Emperor even had his own collection, which by 1894 consisted of 130 works by various artists. On his initiative, a Russian museum was opened in St. Petersburg. He had great respect for the work of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. Alexander Romanov also liked the artist Alexei Bogolyubov, with whom the emperor had a good relationship. The emperor provided all kinds of support to young and talented cultural figures, museums, theaters and universities were opened under his patronage. Alexander adhered to truly Christian postulates, and in every possible way protected Orthodox faith tirelessly defending her interests.

Alexander III ascended the Russian throne after the assassination of Alexander II by revolutionaries - terrorists. It happened on March 2, 1881. For the first time, peasants were sworn in to the emperor, along with the rest of the population. In domestic politics Alexander III embarked on the path of counter-reforms. The new Russian emperor was distinguished by conservative views.

During his reign, the Russian Empire achieved great success. Russia was strong developing country with which all European powers sought friendship. In Europe, there were always some political movements. And then one day, a minister came to Alexander, who was fishing, talking about affairs in Europe. He asked the emperor to somehow react. To which Alexander replied - "Europe can wait until the Russian Tsar catches fish." Alexander Alexandrovich really could afford such statements, because Russia was on the rise, and its army was the most powerful in the world. Nevertheless, the international situation obliged Russia to find a reliable ally. In 1891, friendly relations between Russia and France began to take shape, which ended with the signing of an alliance agreement.

According to the historian P. A. Zaionchkovsky, “Alexander III was quite modest in his personal life. He did not like lies, he was a good family man, he was hardworking ", working on state affairs often until 1-2 o'clock in the morning. “Alexander III had a certain system of views... To protect the purity of the ‘faith of the fathers’, the inviolability of the principle of autocracy and to develop the Russian people... - these are the main tasks that the new monarch set for himself... in some foreign policy issues, he discovered and probably common sense ».

As S. Yu. Witte wrote, “Emperor Alexander III had an absolutely outstanding nobility and purity of heart, purity of morals and thoughts. As a family man, he was an exemplary family man; as a boss and owner - he was an exemplary boss and an exemplary owner ... he was a good owner not because of a sense of self-interest, but because of a sense of duty. Not only in the royal family, but also among dignitaries, I never met that feeling of respect for the state ruble, for the state penny, which the Emperor possessed ... He knew how to inspire confidence abroad, on the one hand, that He would not act unfair to anyone, does not want any captures; everyone was calm that He would not start any adventure ... The Emperor Alexander III never disagreed with the word. What he said was felt by him, and he never deviated from what he said ... Emperor Alexander III was an extremely courageous man ”.

The emperor was a passionate collector, second only to Catherine II in this respect. Gatchina Castle literally turned into a storehouse of priceless treasures. Acquisitions of Alexander - paintings, art objects, carpets and the like - no longer fit in the galleries of the Winter Palace, Anichkov and other palaces. The extensive collection of paintings, graphics, decorative and applied arts, sculptures collected by Alexander III was transferred after his death to the Russian Museum established by the Russian Emperor Nicholas II in memory of his parent.

Alexander was fond of hunting and fishing. Often in summer royal family went to the Finnish skerries. Belovezhskaya Pushcha was the Emperor's favorite hunting ground. Sometimes the imperial family, instead of relaxing in the skerries, went to Poland to the Principality of Loviche, and there they enthusiastically indulged in hunting amusements, especially deer hunting, and most often ended their vacation with a trip to Denmark, to Bernstorf Castle - Dagmara's ancestral castle, where they often gathered from all over Europe her crowned relatives.

For all his outward severity in relation to his loved ones, he invariably remained a devoted family man and a loving father. Not only never in his life did he touch children with a finger, but he did not offend them with a harsh word.

On October 17, 1888, an attempt was made on Alexander III and the entire royal family. The terrorists derailed the train in which the emperor was. Seven wagons were broken, many victims. The king and his family remained alive by the will of fate. At the time of the explosion, they were in the restaurant car. During the explosion, the roof of the car with the royal family collapsed, and Alexander literally held it on himself until help arrived. After some time, he began to complain of back pain. During the examination, it turned out that the king had kidney problems. In the winter of 1894, Alexander caught a bad cold, and soon the emperor became very ill while hunting, and was diagnosed with acute nephritis. Doctors sent the emperor to the Crimea, where on November 20, 1894, Alexander III died.

Alexander III left a big mark in the history of Russia. After his death, the following lines were written in one of the French newspapers: - "He leaves Russia, greater than he received it."

Wife: Dagmar of Denmark (Maria Feodorovna) (November 14, 1847 - October 13, 1928), daughter of the Danish King Christian IX.

Children:
1. Nikolai Alexandrovich (later Emperor Nicholas II) (May 6, 1868 - July 17, 1918, Yekaterinburg);
2. Alexander Alexandrovich (May 26, 1869 - April 20, 1870, St. Petersburg);
3. Georgy Alexandrovich (April 27, 1871 - June 28, 1899, Abastumani);
4. Ksenia Alexandrovna (March 25, 1875 - April 20, 1960, London);
5. Mikhail Alexandrovich (November 22, 1878 - June 13, 1918, Perm);
6. Olga Alexandrovna (June 1, 1882 - November 24, 1960, Toronto).

How to rate statesman? Very simple - if it started Civil War this is a bad politician. If under him the state was defeated in an external conflict and lost territories, this is the one whose mistakes need to be studied, but you don’t need to take yourself as an example.

There have been many leaders in the history of our country. But future generations need to be educated on the best examples. Not forgetting the worst examples, such as Gorbachev and Yeltsin. Best leader Soviet period undoubtedly Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin.

The best emperor in the history of the Russian Empire was Alexander III. He is one of the most unknown kings. There are two reasons for this: Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov was a peacemaker tsar. Under him, Russia did not fight, there were no resounding victories, but our influence in the world did not decrease at all, and peace made it possible for industry and the entire economy to develop. The second reason is the collapse of the country in 1917 (the tsar died in 1894), they did not have time to realize his greatness and wisdom. Due to its obscurity, we have to give a "hint". Alexander III was the son of the sovereign liberator killed by terrorists Alexandra II and father of Nicholas II, which, due to the tragedy of the royal family and all of Russia, is known to anyone in our country.

"On November 1, 1894, a man named Alexander died in the Crimea. He was called the Third. But for his deeds he was worthy to be called the First. Or maybe even the only one.

It is about such kings that today's monarchists sigh. Perhaps they are right. Alexander III was truly great. Both human and emperor.

However, some dissidents of that time, including Vladimir Lenin, joked rather evilly at the emperor. In particular, they nicknamed him "Pineapple". True, Alexander himself gave a reason for this. In the manifesto "On Our Ascension to the Throne" dated April 29, 1881, it was clearly stated: "And on Us to impose a Sacred Duty." So when the document was read out, the king inevitably turned into an exotic fruit.

Reception of volost elders by Alexander III in the courtyard of the Petrovsky Palace in Moscow. Painting by I. Repin (1885-1886)

In fact, this is unfair and dishonest. Alexander was remarkable for his amazing strength. He could easily break a horseshoe. He could easily bend silver coins in the palm of his hand. I could lift a horse on my shoulders. And even make him sit like a dog - this is recorded in the memoirs of his contemporaries.

At a dinner in the Winter Palace, when the Austrian ambassador started a conversation that his country was ready to form three corps of soldiers against Russia, he bent and tied a fork. Threw it towards the ambassador. And he said, "That's what I'll do with your hulls."

Height - 193 cm. Weight - more than 120 kg. It is not surprising that a peasant who accidentally saw the emperor on railway station, exclaimed: “This is the king, so the king, damn me!” The wicked peasant was immediately seized for "uttering indecent words in the presence of the sovereign." However, Alexander ordered the foul language to be released. Moreover, he rewarded him with a ruble with his own image: “Here is my portrait for you!”

What about his look? Beard? Crown? Remember the cartoon "Magic Ring"? “Ampirator drink tea. Motherly samovar! Each appliance of sieve bread has three pounds! It's all about him. He really could eat 3 pounds of sieve bread with tea, that is, about 1.5 kg.

At home, he liked to wear a simple Russian shirt. But always with sewing on the sleeves. He tucked his pants into boots, like a soldier. Even at official receptions, he allowed himself to go out in worn trousers, a jacket or a sheepskin coat.

Alexander III on the hunt. Slept (Kingdom of Poland). Late 1880s - early 1890s Photographer K. Beh. RGAKFD. Al. 958. Sn. 19.

His phrase is often repeated: "While the Russian Tsar is fishing, Europe can wait." In reality, it was like that. Alexander was very correct. But he loved fishing and hunting. Therefore, when the German ambassador demanded an immediate meeting, Alexander said: “Pecking! It pecks at me! Germany can wait. I'll take it tomorrow at noon."

At an audience with the British ambassador, Alexander said:

- I will not allow encroachment on our people and our territory.

The ambassador replied:

- This can cause an armed clash with England!

The king calmly remarked:

- Well, well ... Probably, we can do it.

And mobilized the Baltic Fleet. It was 5 times smaller than the forces that the British had at sea. And yet there was no war. The British calmed down and surrendered their positions in Central Asia.

After that, the British Minister of the Interior, Disraeli, called Russia “a huge, monstrous, terrible bear that hangs over Afghanistan, India. And our interests in the world."

In order to list the affairs of Alexander III, we need not a newspaper page, but a scroll 25 meters long. Pacific Ocean gave a real way out - Trans-Siberian Railway. He gave civil liberties to the Old Believers. He gave real freedom to the peasants - the former serfs under him got the opportunity to take solid loans, redeem their lands and farms. He made it clear that everyone is equal before the supreme power - he deprived some of the grand dukes of their privileges, reduced their payments from the treasury. By the way, each of them was entitled to a "allowance" in the amount of 250 thousand rubles. gold.

Indeed, one can yearn for such a sovereign. Alexander's older brother Nikolai(he died without ascending the throne) said about the future emperor: “Pure, truthful, crystal soul. There's something wrong with the rest of us, fox. Alexander alone is truthful and correct in soul.

In Europe, they spoke about his death in much the same way: "We are losing an arbitrator who has always been guided by the idea of ​​​​justice."

Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia Alexander III Alexandrovich Romanov

The biggest deeds of Alexander III

The emperor is credited, and, apparently, not without reason, with the invention of a flat flask. And not just flat, but bent, the so-called "boot". Alexander liked to drink, but did not want others to know about his addictions. A flask of this shape is ideal for secret use.

It is he who owns the slogan, for which now you can seriously pay: "Russia is for the Russians." Nevertheless, his nationalism was not aimed at the treatment of national minorities. In any case, the Jewish deputation, headed by Baron Gunzburg expressed to the emperor "boundless gratitude for the measures taken to protect the Jewish population at this difficult time."

The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway has begun - until now it is almost the only transport artery that somehow connects all of Russia. The Emperor also instituted the Railwayman's Day. Didn't even cancel it. Soviet authority, despite the fact that Alexander set the date of the holiday for the birthday of his grandfather Nicholas I, under which we began to build railways.

Actively fought against corruption. Not in words, but in deeds. The Minister of Railways Krivoshein and the Minister of Finance Abaza were sent to a shameful resignation for bribes. He did not bypass his relatives either - because of corruption, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich and Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich were deprived of their posts.

Emperor Alexander III with his family in the Private Garden of the Grand Gatchina Palace.

History of the patch

Despite his more than noble position, conducive to 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 for his subjects. .

For example, there was an incident that one of the king's associates wrote down in his diary. He happened to be next to the emperor one of the days, 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 beet-colored, notices that in a place that is not commonly called in society, the king flaunts a rough patch!

It should be noted here that the tsar did not wear pants made of expensive materials, preferring coarse, military cut, not at all because he wanted to save money, as did the future wife of his son, Alexandra Fedorovna, who gave her daughters' dresses to junk dealers for sale, previously expensive disputes buttons. The emperor in everyday life was simple and undemanding, wearing a uniform, which it was high time to throw away, and giving the torn clothes to his batman to mend and mend where necessary.

Non-royal preferences

Alexander III was a categorical person and it was not for nothing that he was nicknamed 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 Ministry of the Court, and reduced the balls that were given regularly in St. Petersburg to four a year.

Emperor Alexander III with his wife Maria Feodorovna 1892

The emperor not only showed indifference to secular fun, but also showed a rare neglect of what many enjoyed and served as an object of worship. For example, food. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, he preferred simple Russian food: cabbage soup, fish soup and fried fish, which he caught himself, leaving with his family to rest in Finnish skerries.

One of Alexander's favorite delicacies was "Guryev's" porridge, invented by Zakhar Kuzmin, the serf cook of the retired major Yurisovsky. Porridge was prepared simply: semolina was boiled in milk and nuts were added there - walnuts, almonds, hazel, then creamy foam was poured in and dried fruits were poured with a generous hand.

The tsar always preferred this simple dish to gourmet French desserts and Italian delicacies, which he ate at tea in his Annichkov Palace. The Tsar did not like the Winter Palace with its pompous luxury. However, against the backdrop of mended pants and porridge, this is not surprising.

The force that saved the family

The emperor had one fatal passion, which, although he fought with it, sometimes prevailed. Alexander III liked 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 applied to it when the empress could not see it.

Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna. Petersburg. 1886

Speaking about the relationship of spouses, it should be noted that they can serve as an example of reverent treatment and mutual understanding. For thirty years they lived soul in spirit - the timid emperor, who did not like crowded gatherings, and the cheerful cheerful Danish princess Maria Sophia Friederika Dagmar.

It was rumored that in her youth she loved to do gymnastics and performed virtuoso somersaults in front of the future emperor. However, the king also loved physical activity and was famous throughout the state as a heroic man. 193 centimeters tall, with a large figure and broad shoulders, he bent coins with his fingers and bent horseshoes. His amazing strength even once saved the life of him and his family.

In the autumn of 1888, the tsar's train crashed near the Borki station, 50 kilometers from Kharkov. Seven wagons were broken, there were seriously wounded and dead among the servants, but the members of the royal family remained unharmed: at that time they were in the dining car. However, the roof of the car nevertheless collapsed, and, according to eyewitnesses, Alexander held it on his shoulders until help arrived in time. Investigators who found out the causes of the crash concluded that the family had miraculously escaped, and if the royal train continues to travel at such a speed, then a miracle may not happen a second time.

In the autumn of 1888, the tsar's train crashed near the Borki station. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Tsar-artist and admirer of the arts

Despite the fact that in everyday life he was simple and unpretentious, thrifty and even economical, huge amounts of money were spent on the acquisition of art objects. Even in his youth, the future emperor 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 classes. But he kept his love for the elegant until last days and transferred it to collecting. Not without reason, 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 canvas as “Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan on November 16, 1581” by Repin, although it caused discontent, did not become a reason for the persecution of the Wanderers. Also, the tsar, who was devoid of external gloss and aristocracy, was unexpectedly well versed in music, loved the works of Tchaikovsky and contributed to the fact that not Italian opera and ballets sounded on the theater stage, but the works of domestic composers. Until his death, he supported Russian opera and Russian ballet, which received worldwide recognition and reverence.

After the death of his parent, his son Nicholas II founded the Russian Museum in his honor.

Emperor's Legacy

During the reign of Alexander III Russia was not drawn into any serious political conflict, and the revolutionary movement became a dead end, which was nonsense, since the murder of the previous king was seen as a sure pretext for starting a new round of terrorist acts and changing the state order.

The emperor introduced a number of measures that made life easier for the common people. He gradually abolished the poll tax, 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 winged.

The emperor also owns another phrase "Russia for the 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 treating national minorities, which, by the way, changed during the reign of Nicholas II, when the Black Hundred movement found support in the state level.

About forty monuments were erected in honor of Emperor Alexander III in the Russian Empire

Only 49 years fate measured this autocrat. The memory of him is alive in the name of the bridge in Paris, in the Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, in the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, in the village of Aleksandrovsky, which laid the foundation for the city of Novosibirsk. And in these troubled days, Russia remembers catchphrase Alexander III: “In the whole world we have only two faithful allies - the army and the navy. All the rest, at the first opportunity, will take up arms against us.”

Next, we offer you to see the rarest photographs of Emperor Alexander III

Grand Dukes Vladimir Alexandrovich (standing), Alexander Alexandrovich (second from right) and others. Koenigsberg (Germany). 1862
Photographer G. Hessau.
Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich. Petersburg. Mid 1860s Photographer S. Levitsky.

Alexander III on the deck of the yacht. Finnish skerries. Late 1880s

Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna with their children George, Xenia and Mikhail and others on the deck of the yacht. Finnish skerries. Late 1880s...

Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna with their children Xenia and Mikhail on the porch of the house. Livadia. Late 1880s

Alexander III, Empress Maria Feodorovna, their children George, Mikhail, Alexander and Xenia, Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and others at a tea table in the forest. Khalila. Early 1890s

Alexander III with children watering the trees in the garden. Late 1880s
Tsarevich Alexander Alexandrovich and Tsesarevna Maria Feodorovna with their eldest son Nikolai. Petersburg. 1870
Photographer S. Levitsky.
Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna with their son Mikhail (on horseback) and Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich for a walk in the forest. Mid 1880s
Tsarevich Alexander Alexandrovich in the uniform of the Life Guards Rifle Battalion of the Imperial Family. 1865
Photographer I. Nostits.
Alexander III with Empress Maria Feodorovna and her sister, Princess Alexandra of Wales. London. 1880s
Photo studio Maul & Co.

On the veranda - Alexander III with Empress Maria Feodorovna and children George, Xenia and Mikhail, Count I. I. Vorontsov-Dashkov, Countess E. A. Vorontsova-Dashkova and others. Red Village. Late 1880s
Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich with Tsesarevna Maria Feodorovna, her sister, Princess Alexandra of Wales (second from right), their brother, Danish Crown Prince Frederick (far right), etc. Denmark. Mid 1870s Russell & Sons Photo Studio.

After the assassination of Alexander 2, his son Emperor Alexander 3 became the ruler of Russia. This ruler took over the rule of the country at the age of 20. This young man from childhood had a passion for the military sciences, in which he was more willing than others.

The death of his father made a strong impression on Alexander III. He sensed the danger that revolutionaries could carry within themselves. As a result, Emperor Alexander 3 swore that he would do everything possible to destroy the beginnings of a revolution in Russia. March 2, 1881 Russian government swore allegiance to the new emperor. In his speech, the emperor emphasized that he intended to continue the course of his father and maintain peace with all countries of the world in order to focus on domestic problems.

The abolition of serfdom did not solve all the problems of the peasants. Therefore, the new emperor paid great attention to solving the peasant question. He believed that, by all means, in Russia it was necessary to preserve the peasant communities, which were supposed to preserve the coexistence of the peasants and save them from poverty. Wanting to strengthen this legislatively, Emperor Alexander 3 issued a law in 1893 that extremely limited the possibility of leaving the community.

During the reign of Alexander 3 in Russia, great attention was paid to the working conditions of workers. In 1882, a law was passed that prohibited the labor of children under 12 years of age. Therefore, by law, children between the ages of 12 and 15 had to work no more than 8 hours a day. In 1885, a law was passed prohibiting night work for children and women. In 1886, a law was passed defining the relationship between the employer and the worker. Thus, Russia became the first country in Europe to legally control the working conditions of workers in factories and factories.

Determining the foreign policy of the state, Emperor Alexander 3 made the only correct conclusion in the current situation. Russia took a position of neutrality. Alexander 3 did not want to interfere in the bloody European conflicts, which for a century had been stopped only by the Russian army. The emperor said that Russia has no friends, there are only state interests that need to be followed. A similar opinion was expressed much later by the British Prime Minister Churchill, who, speaking of England, remarked that England has no permanent friends, only permanent interests. As for Alexander 3, he said that Russia has only 2 friends: its army and its fleet.

An exception to the policy of neutrality was made only for the Balkans, since Emperor Alexander 3 wanted to strengthen Russia's influence in this region, primarily at the expense of Bulgaria, which was grateful to Russia for its independence. But everything happened differently. At the end of 1885, an uprising broke out in eastern Rumelia, which led to the separation of the province from Turkey and its entry into Bulgaria. This was contrary to the provisions of the Berlin Treaty and was a pretext for new war in the Balkans. The emperor was angry with the Bulgarians, who accepted Rumelia into their composition, without consulting with Russia. As a result, not wanting to get involved in a war that was about to start between Bulgaria and Turkey, the Russian emperor recalled all officials from Bulgaria, as well as all Russian officers. Austria took advantage of this by placing its ruler on the Bulgarian throne.

Subsequently, the ruler of the Russian Empire continued to adhere to a policy of neutrality, as a result of which Russia had no allies, but no enemies either. The reign of Alexander 3 continued until 1894. On October 20, 1894, Emperor Alexander III died.

Alexander III Alexandrovich Romanov
Years of life: February 26, 1845, Anichkov Palace, St. Petersburg - October 20, 1894, Livadia Palace, Crimea.

Son of Maria Alexandrovna, recognized daughter of Grand Duke Ludwig II of Hesse and Emperor.

Emperor of All Russia (1 (13) March 1881 - October 20 (November 1), 1894), Tsar of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland from March 1, 1881

From the Romanov dynasty.

He was awarded a special epithet in pre-revolutionary historiography - the Peacemaker.

Biography of Alexander III

He was the 2nd son of the imperial family. Born February 26 (March 10), 1845 in Tsarskoye Selo His elder brother was preparing to inherit the throne.

The mentor who had a strong influence on his worldview was K.P. Pobedonostsev.

As a prince, he became a member of the State Council, commander of the guards and chieftain of all Cossack troops.

During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877–1878. he was the commander of the Separate Ruschuk Detachment in Bulgaria. He created the Volunteer Fleet of Russia (since 1878), which became the core of the country's merchant fleet and the reserve of the Russian military fleet.

After the death of his elder brother Nicholas in 1865, he became the heir to the throne.

In 1866, he married the bride of his deceased brother, the daughter of the Danish king Christian IX, Princess Sophia Frederica Dagmar, who adopted the name Maria Feodorovna in Orthodoxy.

Emperor Alexander 3

Having ascended the throne after the assassination of Alexander II on March 1 (13), 1881 (his father's legs were blown off by a terrorist bomb, and his son spent the last hours of his life nearby), canceled the draft constitutional reform signed by his father just before his death. He stated that Russia would pursue a peaceful policy and deal with internal problems - strengthening the autocracy.

His manifesto of April 29 (May 11), 1881 reflected the program of domestic and foreign policy. The main priorities were: maintaining order and power, strengthening church piety and ensuring the national interests of Russia.

Reforms of Alexander 3

The tsar created the State Peasants' Land Bank for issuing loans to peasants for the purchase of land, and also issued a number of laws to alleviate the situation of the workers.

Alexander 3 pursued a tough policy of Russification, which faced opposition from some Finns and Poles.
After Bismarck's resignation from the post of Chancellor of Germany in 1893, Alexander III Alexandrovich concluded an alliance with France (Franco-Russian alliance).

In foreign policy, behind years of reign of Alexander 3 Russia has firmly taken a leading position in Europe. Possessing enormous physical strength, the tsar symbolized for other states the power and invincibility of Russia. Once the Austrian ambassador began to threaten him during dinner, promising to move a couple of army corps to the borders. The king listened in silence, then took a fork from the table, tied it in a knot and threw it on the ambassador's plate. “This is what we will do with your couple of hulls,” the king replied.

Domestic policy of Alexander 3

Court etiquette and ceremonial became much simpler. He significantly reduced the staff of the Ministry of the Court, the number of servants was reduced and strict control over the spending of money was introduced. At the same time, a lot of money was spent on the acquisition of art objects by him, since the emperor was a passionate collector. Gatchina Castle under him turned into a storehouse of priceless treasures, which later became a true national treasure of Russia.

Unlike all his predecessors-rulers on the Russian throne, he adhered to strict family morality and was an exemplary family man - a loving husband and good father. He was one of the most pious Russian sovereigns, firmly adhered to the Orthodox canons, willingly donated to monasteries, to build new churches and restore ancient ones.
Passionately fond of hunting and fishing, boating. Belovezhskaya Pushcha was the Emperor's favorite hunting ground. He participated in archaeological excavations, loved to play the trumpet in a brass band.

The family had very warm relations. Every year the date of marriage was celebrated. Evenings for children were often arranged: circus and puppet performances. Everyone was attentive to each other and gave gifts.

The emperor was very hardworking. And yet, despite healthy lifestyle life, died young, before the age of 50, quite unexpectedly. In October 1888, the tsar's train crashed near Kharkov. There were many victims, but the royal family remained intact. Alexander, with incredible efforts, held the collapsed roof of the car on his shoulders until help arrived.

But soon after this incident, the emperor began to complain of back pain. Doctors came to the conclusion that a terrible concussion during the fall served as the onset of kidney disease. At the insistence of the Berlin doctors, he was sent to the Crimea, to Livadia, but the disease progressed.

On October 20, 1894, the Emperor died. He was buried in St. Petersburg, in the Peter and Paul Cathedral.
The death of Emperor Alexander III caused an echo all over the world, flags were lowered in France, memorial services were held in all churches in England. Many foreign figures called him a peacemaker.

The Marquess of Salisbury said: “Alexander III saved Europe many times from the horrors of war. According to his deeds, the sovereigns of Europe should learn how to manage their peoples.

He was married to the daughter of the Danish king Christian IX Dagmar of Denmark (Maria Feodorovna). They had children:

• Nicholas II (May 18, 1868 - July 17, 1918),
• Alexander (May 20, 1869 – April 21, 1870),
• Georgy Alexandrovich (April 27, 1871 - June 28, 1899),
• Xenia Alexandrovna (April 6, 1875 - April 20, 1960, London), also Romanova by her husband,
• Mikhail Alexandrovich (December 5, 1878 - June 13, 1918),
• Olga Alexandrovna (June 13, 1882 - November 24, 1960).

He had military rank- General of Infantry, General of Cavalry (Russian Imperial Army). The Emperor was of enormous stature.

In 1883, the so-called "coronation ruble" was issued in honor of the coronation of Alexander III.