Romanov Alexander 3rd Tsar. Alexander III - unknown emperor of Russia

Alexander III, Emperor of All Russia, second son of Emperor Alexander II and Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Born on February 26, 1845. After the untimely death of his elder brother, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, on April 12, 1865, he was proclaimed heir to the throne; On October 28, 1866, he married the daughter of the Danish king Christian IX, Princess Sophia-Frederica-Dagmara, who was named Maria Feodorovna at holy confirmation. While still an heir, Alexander took part in government affairs, as commander of the troops of the Guards Corps, ataman of all Cossack troops, member of the State Council. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-78, he commanded a separate Rushchuk detachment and successfully made a campaign against Osman Bazar, Razgrad and Eski-Juma. In 1877 he took an active part in the creation of a voluntary fleet.

Emperor Alexander III (1881-1894)

During the reign of the emperor Alexandra III were undertaken important events in the field of the national economy, carried out mainly by the Minister of Finance N. X. Bunge: in 1882, redemption payments were reduced, the poll tax was abolished, a peasant bank was established, the work of minors in factories and factories was limited, a factory inspection was established, the life of Chinsheviks and some others was organized categories of rural inhabitants. Even earlier, in 1881, and then in 1884, preferential conditions were established for peasants to rent state-owned land; On June 15, 1882, a tax on inheritances and gifts was established, in 1885 additional fees were introduced from trade and industrial enterprises, and a tax was established on monetary capital, and these financial reforms should have served to gradually introduce in our country income tax. Subsequently, most big facts in the financial policy of the state are: achieving a fairly stable balance between income and expenses, extensive conversion of public debts; to increase treasury funds, two new excise taxes were established - on matches and kerosene, a housing tax was introduced, in addition, as an experiment, a drinking establishment was introduced monopoly in the eastern provinces.

Russian tsars. Alexander III

From individual legislative acts economic nature Of particular importance are the regulation of the resettlement movement of peasants to lands beyond the Urals (a harbinger of the resettlement policy of P. A. Stolypin) and the law on the inalienability of allotment lands. In the customs policy of the state, there was a significant increase in protectionism, which reached its apogee in the tariff of 1891, but was then somewhat softened by trade agreements with France and Germany; An agreement with the latter country was concluded in 1894 after a persistent and very sharp customs war. Particularly important in railway policy is the subordination of tariff matters to government control, increased redemption to the treasury railways and opening of construction work Great Siberian Way.

A very prominent place in domestic policy took care of the nobility, about strengthening its importance in state and public life. To maintain noble land ownership, a state noble bank was established in 1885. To create more for large land ownership profitable terms, was published in 1886. Regulations on hiring for rural work. The Regulations on Zemstvo District Chiefs of 1889 and the new Regulations on Zemstvo Institutions of 1890 granted the nobility a primacy position in local government . Zemstvo chiefs, elected from local hereditary nobles, were supposed to appear “close to the people, as a firm government authority,” combining “guardianship over rural inhabitants with concerns about completing the peasant business and with the responsibility for protecting decency and public order, security and private rights.” persons in rural areas." In accordance with these tasks, zemstvo chiefs were granted, along with extensive administrative powers, judicial power. With the introduction of zemstvo chiefs, the institution of justices of the peace was abolished in most of the country.

General judicial institutions and the procedure for legal proceedings have also undergone changes: the competence of the jury trial has been limited in favor of a trial with the participation of class representatives, the procedure for electing jurors has been changed, the principles of irremovability and independence of judges have been significantly limited, and some significant exceptions have been made from general rule publicity of the trial.

ALEXANDER III, Russian Emperor [from 1(13/3/1881]) from the Romanov dynasty, crowned 15(27/5/1883). Son of Emperor Alexander II, father of Emperor Nicholas II. Initially, he prepared for the military career traditional for grand dukes. His main educator is Adjutant General B. A. Perovsky. Alexander III became the heir to the throne after the death of his elder brother, Grand Duke Nikolai Alexandrovich (1843-65). In 1865-66, he additionally took courses in civil law (K. P. Pobedonostsev), finance (F. G. Turner), Russian history (S. M. Solovyov) and a number of other courses. Alexander III was married (since 1866) to the Danish princess, daughter of King Christian IX, Sophia Frederica Dagmar (in Orthodoxy Maria Feodorovna, 1847-1928).

Initially, Alexander III was present at the reports of ministers to Emperor Alexander II, in 1866 he was appointed a member of the State Council, in 1868 - a member of the Committee of Ministers, as well as the honorary chairman of the temporary commission for the collection and distribution of voluntary donations in favor of those affected by the 1867 crop failure. Head of the 1st Guards infantry division(since 1870), commander of the Guards Corps (since 1874). During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 (see Russian-Turkish Wars) he commanded the 40,000-strong Western (Ruschuk) detachment (awarded the Order of George, 2nd degree). Since 1878, he headed the Committee for the Organization of the Voluntary Fleet. Since 1880 - commander of the troops of the Guard and the St. Petersburg Military District.

Alexander III ascended the throne after the murder of his father by the Narodnaya Volya. He considered acts of terrorism to be a consequence of the weakening of state power as a result, mainly, of the zemstvo reform of 1864 and the judicial reform of 1864. 8(20).3.1881 at a special meeting, he agreed with Pobedonostsev’s critical statements about the project of the Minister of Internal Affairs M. T. Loris-Melikov, which envisaged the creation of an advisory commission with the involvement of elected officials to discuss laws (approved by Emperor Alexander II on the eve of his death). Like Pobedonostsev, who influenced Alexander III until about the mid-1880s, he believed that Russia was “strong thanks to autocracy,” and the convening of a commission would be the first step towards introducing a constitution. In his manifesto dated April 29 (May 11), 1881, Alexander III declared the inviolability of autocracy. Accepted the resignation of liberal-minded Loris-Melikov, Minister of Finance A. A. Abaza and Minister of War D. A. Milyutin.

Upon ascending the throne, Alexander III considered the main task of establishing “order” in the country, and regarded the requests public figures about the pardon of his father's murderers as “indecent” (five terrorists were publicly executed, a total of 17 people were executed during the reign of Alexander III). To strengthen local power, Alexander III on August 14 (26), 1881, issued a regulation “On measures to protect state order and public peace,” according to which any area of ​​the empire could be transferred to a position of “enhanced security.” At the same time, governors received the right to issue mandatory decrees, transfer cases of state crimes to a military court and approve sentences on them, close any commercial and industrial enterprises, suspend any publications, create supernumerary military-police teams, detain any person for up to 3 months, dismiss officials of all departments and stop the activities of city and zemstvo institutions. In September 1881, 10 provinces, 6 districts, 3 cities and 3 city administrations were transferred to a position of enhanced security.

A special decision of Alexander III was required by the Jewish question, which arose before him immediately after ascending the throne in connection with anti-Jewish pogroms (in Elisavetgrad, Kyiv, Odessa and other southern and southwestern cities in April 1881; they were partly associated with rumors of involvement Jews to the murder of Emperor Alexander II; according to the official version, the cause of the pogroms was the protest of the indigenous population against the seizure of trade and trade by Jews, and their acquisition of significant land property). The investigation convinced Alexander III, as he told the Jewish deputation, that the pogroms were “the work of anarchists” who sought to prepare the people for revolutionary uprisings, and in “criminal acts in the south of Russia, Jews serve only as an excuse.” By order of Alexander III, in October 1881, the 5th Jewish Committee (see Jewish Committees) was created to develop new legislation on persons of the Jewish faith. The project he compiled formed the basis of the “Temporary Rules on the Jews” of 1882, according to which, in order to prevent inter-confessional strife, Jews were forbidden to settle again in the Pale of Settlement outside cities and towns, to purchase and rent real estate in rural areas(a number of other legislative acts provided for additional restrictions for persons of the Jewish faith).

Alexander III, considering the press one of the main disseminators of liberal sentiments, approved the Temporary Rules on the Press of 1882, according to which a meeting of the ministers of internal affairs, public education, justice and chief prosecutor of the Synod could close a periodical publication that had made repeated attacks on the political system, morality and church (during the reign of Alexander III, 7 was prohibited and ceased publication due to censorship persecution 8 of the existing more than 550 newspapers and magazines). To fight terrorists 3(15).12. 1883 Alexander III issued a regulation “On the structure of the secret police in the empire”, in accordance with which a network of secret investigative departments was created, which later received the name security departments (see Security department). Their work led to a number of political trials (the most famous was in the case of A.I. Ulyanov’s group, which was preparing an assassination attempt on Alexander III in 1887; Alexander III rejected requests for his pardon).

Alexander III considered frequent unrest in universities as a consequence of revolutionary propaganda, which was possible thanks to the liberal university charter of 1863, and saw one of the reasons for the revolutionary sentiments of young people in the inconsistency, in his opinion, of the education received social status students. In 1884, he approved a new university charter (liquidated the autonomy of universities), as well as rules on parochial schools (expanded their network). Alexander III shared Pobedonostsev’s idea of ​​the need to provide the peoples of the empire with access to education proportional to their numbers, especially access to educational establishments, financed from tax revenues to the treasury. In accordance with it, in 1886, a percentage norm was introduced for the admission of persons of the Jewish faith to gymnasiums and universities: no more than 10% within the Pale of Settlement, 5% in the rest of Russia, 3% in the capitals. Average, and even more so higher education For the people, Alexander III considered it unnecessary, he even considered it terrible that a man “also climbs into the gymnasium.” He approved the circular dated June 18 (30), 1887, issued on behalf of the Minister of Public Education I.D. Delyanov (known as the “circular about cooks’ children”), which limited the admission of children from “underprivileged classes of the population” to secondary educational institutions.

Considering himself a “people's king,” Alexander III sought to carry out a balanced social policy. He continued his policy of preserving the peasant community; according to his decrees, family divisions (1886), the resettlement of peasants (1889) and the alienation of peasant plots (1893) were limited. He believed that the peasant world was negatively affected by the removal of the landowner from managing it after the abolition of serfdom, and associated this with a decline in morality in the village and an increase in the number of crimes, including against landowner property. In this regard, Alexander III issued a Regulation dated July 12 (24), 1889, according to which supervision over peasant self-government was transferred to zemstvo chiefs, appointed from among the local landowner nobles. The law of 8(20).6.1893 also transferred to their discretion the question of the expediency of peasant redistributions. Alexander III recognized the need to preserve elected local government, but believed that many zemstvo assemblies and city assemblies were more involved in politics than in real activities. He approved the new Zemstvo Regulations of 1890 and the City Regulations of 1892 (see City Regulations), which strengthened administrative control over local government.

Alexander III was outraged by the principle of irremovability of judges (established by the judicial reform of 1864), which, from his point of view, meant impunity for judges; he also considered unacceptable the opportunity for the accused to publicly express their position on political processes. In 1885, Alexander III established the Higher Disciplinary Presence of senators, which received the right to dismiss and transfer judges; in 1887, he granted the Minister of Justice the right to prohibit public hearings in court of cases that could offend religious feelings, morality, affect the dignity of state power and harm public order. . In April 1894, Alexander III ordered the beginning of a revision of judicial statutes.

The reforms of Alexander III contributed to the decline of the revolutionary and liberal movement in the country. At the beginning of the 20th century, in literature, the time of his reign was called the era of “counter-reforms”, which were opposed to the “Great Reforms” of Emperor Alexander II. Alexander III himself believed that he only completed his father’s work, bringing innovations into line with Russian state traditions.

The conservative stabilization of society was combined during the reign of Alexander III with a course towards intensive economic modernization of the country. Alexander III considered the growing debt of nobles and peasants to the treasury and credit institutions to be the reason for the stagnation in agriculture. By decree of December 28, 1881 (January 9, 1882), despite the acute state budget deficit, Alexander III introduced mandatory redemption of plots and reduced redemption payments. He intended to expand peasant land ownership exclusively through the purchase of land by peasants on a general basis, but in no way at the expense of the local fund; in 1882 he established the Peasant Land Bank to issue loans for the acquisition of land. Alexander III also sought to prevent the ruin of the local nobility, in 1885 to issue them loans for preferential terms In connection with the centenary of the Charter of the Nobility in 1785, he established the Noble Land Bank. Decrees of Alexander III dated 18(30).5.1882, 14(26).5.1883, 28.5(9.6).1885, 1(13).1.1887 in European Russia The collection of the poll tax was gradually abolished.

The new customs tariff of 1891 established high import duties on manufactured products. This was partly a response to the transition of Germany, Russia’s main trading partner, to a policy of protectionism, including agricultural protection. The subsequent “customs war” with Germany ended with the signing of a compromise trade agreement in 1894.

The economic policy of Alexander III, implemented by the Ministers of Finance N.H. Bunge, I.A. Vyshnegradsky and S.Yu. Witte, was aimed at stabilizing the state's financial system and overcoming the chronic budget deficit. Under Alexander III, preparations began for the introduction of gold monometallism (implemented in the 2nd half of the 1890s under Emperor Nicholas II; see Monetary reforms). In the early 1890s, Alexander III supported Witte's course towards accelerated industrialization Russian economy, expressed, in particular, in attracting foreign capital, strengthening state-owned railway construction, etc. Private railways were taken under government control, a significant part of them was purchased by the treasury. State railways linked individual railways together; common tariffs for freight transportation were established for the entire railway network. To manage the railway part, the Department of Railway Affairs was formed in 1889 under the Ministry of Finance. By a rescript dated March 17 (29), 1891, addressed to the heir to the throne, Alexander III ordered the construction of the Siberian Railway to begin. In December 1892, he approved the journal of the Special Meeting on the construction of the Siberian Railway and recognized the need for the establishment of a special Committee of the Siberian Railway to manage the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and in 1893 he approved the regulations on the Committee.

Propagation of hiring and sales relationships work force after the abolition of serfdom, it marked the beginning of conflicts between workers and entrepreneurs. Alexander III regarded these clashes as “disgraces”, for which in most cases the factory owners themselves were responsible, and turned to the question of a settlement labor relations. In 1882, a factory inspectorate was formed under the Ministry of Finance to supervise the implementation of factory legislation. At the same time, a law was passed restricting the use child labor, in 1885 the legislation was supplemented by a ban on night work for women and teenagers in textile factories, with the right of the minister to extend it to other enterprises (in 1890 these bans were partially lifted). In 1886, rules were issued on the conditions of employment and the procedure for terminating contracts between workers and entrepreneurs, at the same time Alexander III approved the Regulations on the hiring of agricultural workers, which determined the responsibility of hired workers to employers.

During the reign of Alexander III, the territory of the Russian Empire was finally formed. Great for the first time Russian population began to be inferior in number to other peoples (48% according to the All-Russian Population Census of 1897, conducted somewhat later, together with Little Russians and Belarusians - 72.5%), and the religious heterogeneity of the population increased. Alexander III faced a particularly acute problem of ensuring the internal unity of the country. He saw its solution in the subordination of the outskirts to the general imperial administration.

The religiosity of Alexander III and his orientation towards Russian traditions significantly influenced the ideology of his reign. The preservation of the influence of Orthodoxy on society was to be served by massive church construction, an increase in the number of publications of Orthodox periodicals and literature, the spread of parochial schools, the holding of large-scale church celebrations, and the activation of missionary activity Russian Orthodox Church among “foreigners”, systematic struggle against a number of sects. The increased emphasis on “national identity” manifested itself, for example, in architecture, where the pseudo-Russian style dominated.

In foreign policy, Alexander III adhered to the principle of non-interference in European affairs in the absence of a threat to the honor and dignity of Russia, stated in his manifesto on his accession to the throne on March 2 (14), 1881. Considering the position of European states at the Berlin Congress of 1878 and the reaction Russian society Based on its results, Alexander III took a pragmatic position in relation to European states, abandoning traditional diplomacy focused on dynastic ties. Initially, he strengthened Russian-German relations; in 1881 and 1884 extended the agreement on “ Union of three emperors" between Russian Empire, Austria-Hungary and Germany, after the aggravation of Austro-Russian contradictions in the Balkans in 1885-87, signed the “Reinsurance Treaty” of 1887 with Germany. At the end of the reign of Alexander III, growing Austro-Russian and Russian-German contradictions led to a reorientation of Russian foreign policy and the conclusion of a series of secret agreements with France (1891-93), which until 1917 determined Russia's position in the new balance of international relations (see Russian - French Union). The restraint of Alexander III, combined with his decisiveness in defending Russian interests during the aggravation of the international situation (for example, during the Afghan crisis of 1885, the Bulgarian crisis of 1886, etc.) prevented Russia's participation in military conflicts, which Alexander III considered the main priority of his foreign policy . At the end of the reign of Alexander III, periodicals began to call him the Peacemaker.

On east direction Alexander III was worried about the active English policy in Central Asia. The decisive response of Alexander III led to the annexation of most of the Turkmen territory.

Alexander III knew Russian history and culture well, was the founder (1866) and first chairman of the Russian Historical Society, on his initiative Russian was published in 1876 biographical dictionary. Since 1871, Alexander III has been a regular visitor to the vernissages of the Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions. He had the idea of ​​​​creating a museum in St. Petersburg, which would concentrate outstanding works of Russian painting and sculpture (implemented by Emperor Nicholas II with the creation of the Russian Museum in 1895). He was fond of playing music, in 1872 he organized a wind quintet and played the cornet in it.

Works: Alexander the Third: Memoirs. Diaries. Letters. St. Petersburg, 2001.

Lit.: Emperor Alexander III: (The guiding idea of ​​His reign) // Historical Bulletin. 1894. No. 11; Emperor Alexander III. St. Petersburg, 1894; Emperor Alexander III. Sat. materials. St. Petersburg, 1895; Alexander III (1845—1894): His personality, reign and intimate life. M., 1991; Chernukha V. G. Alexander III // Questions of history. 1992. No. 11/12; Tvardovskaya V. A. Alexander III // Russian autocrats (1801-1917). 2nd ed. M., 1994; Talberg N. D. Tsar the Peacemaker (Emperor Alexander III) // Literary studies. 1995. No. 4; Sedunov A.V. Alexander the Third: The Making of an Emperor // Teaching history at school. 1997. No. 7; Chesnokov V.I. Alexander III and Russian culture: Towards a revision of the historical tradition // Russian monarchy: questions of history and theory. Voronezh, 1998; Bokhanov A. N. Emperor Alexander III. 3rd ed. M., 2004.

ALEXANDER III(1845-94), Russian Emperor since 1881. Second son of Alexander II. In the 1st half. 80s carried out the abolition of the poll tax, lowered redemption payments. From the 2nd half. 80s carried out "counter-reforms". Strengthened the role of the police, local and central administration. During the reign of Alexander III, the annexation to Russia was basically completed. Asia (1885), the Russian-French alliance was concluded (1891-93).

ALEXANDER III, Russian Emperor (since 1881), second son of Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich (later Emperor Alexander II) and Grand Duchess(later - Empress) Maria Alexandrovna.

Upbringing. Beginning of government activities

Not being the heir to the throne by birth, Alexander Alexandrovich was preparing mainly for military activity. He became crown prince in 1865 after the death of his elder brother, Grand Duke Nikolai Alexandrovich, and from that time began to receive a more extensive and fundamental education. Among Alexander Alexandrovich’s mentors were S. M. Solovyov (history), J. K. Grot (history of literature), M. I. Dragomirov (military art). The greatest influence on the Tsarevich was the law teacher K. P. Pobedonostsev.

In 1866, Alexander Alexandrovich married the fiancee of his late brother, the Danish princess Dagmar (1847-1928; in Orthodoxy - Maria Fedorovna). The couple had children: Nicholas (later Russian Emperor Nicholas II), George, Ksenia, Mikhail, Olga.

Alexander Alexandrovich was the appointed ataman of all Cossack troops, and held a number of military positions (up to the commander of the troops of the St. Petersburg Military District and the Guards Corps). Since 1868 - member of the State Council and the Committee of Ministers. IN Russian-Turkish war 1877-78 commanded the Rushchuk detachment in Bulgaria. After the war, he participated, together with Pobedonostsev, in the creation of the Voluntary Fleet, a joint-stock shipping company designed to promote the government’s foreign economic policy.

Personality and worldview

Alexander Alexandrovich's character traits and lifestyle markedly distinguished him from the court environment. Alexander III adhered to strict moral rules, was very pious, distinguished by frugality, modesty, dislike of comfort, and spent his leisure time in a narrow circle of family and friends. He was interested in music, painting, history (he was one of the initiators of the creation of the Russian Historical Society and its first chairman). Contributed to the liberalization of external parties social activities: abolished kneeling before the king, allowed smoking on the streets and in public places, etc.

Distinguished by his strong will, Alexander III at the same time had a limited and straightforward mind. In the reforms of his father, Alexander II, he saw primarily negative aspects - the growth of government bureaucracy, heavy financial situation people, imitation of Western models. He had a strong dislike for liberalism and the intelligentsia. These views were reinforced by impressions of the life and customs of higher spheres (his father’s long-term relationship with Princess E.M. Dolgorukova, corruption in government circles, etc.) The political ideal of Alexander III was based on ideas about patriarchal-paternal autocratic rule, the inculcation of religious values ​​in society , strengthening class structure, nationally distinctive social development.

Beginning of the reign

After the death of Alexander II from a Narodnaya Volya bomb, a struggle broke out between the liberals and the guards at the throne. The leaders of the Pobedonostsev guards (since 1880 - Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod) and journalist M. N. Katkov opposed plans for changes in state structure, proposed by the Minister of Internal Affairs M. T. Loris-Melikov. At the insistence of Pobedonostsev, Alexander III issued a manifesto on April 29, 1881, “On the Inviolability of Autocracy,” which led to the resignation of Loris-Melikov and his supporters.

The beginning of the reign of Alexander III was characterized by the tightening of administrative and police repression and censorship (Regulations on measures to protect state security and public peace, 1881; Temporary rules on the press, 1882). By the mid-1880s, the government, through repression, managed to suppress the revolutionary movement, especially the People's Will. At the same time, a number of measures were taken to alleviate the financial situation of the people and mitigate social tension in society (the introduction of compulsory redemption and the reduction of redemption payments, the establishment of the Peasant Land Bank, the introduction of factory inspection, the phased abolition of the poll tax, etc.).

Loris-Melikov’s successor as Minister of Internal Affairs, N.P. Ignatiev, tried to crown the policy of “people’s autocracy” by convening an all-class Zemsky Sobor, however, Katkov and Pobedonostsev sharply opposed this. In May 1882, Alexander III replaced Ignatiev with D. A. Tolstoy, a staunch supporter of reactionary-protective policies.

Counter-reforms

With the support of Alexander III, Tolstoy and his successor I. N. Durnovo pursued a policy of counter-reforms that limited the liberal reforms of the 1860-70s. The university charter of 1884 curtailed autonomy high school. It was difficult for children from the lower classes to enter gymnasiums (“circular about cooks’ children,” 1887). Since 1889, peasant self-government was subordinated to zemstvo chiefs - officials from local landowners, who combined judicial and administrative power in their hands. Zemstvo and city regulations (1890 and 1892) tightened the administration's control over local self-government and limited the rights of voters from the lower strata of society.

During his coronation in 1883, Alexander III announced to the volost elders: “Follow the advice and guidance of your leaders of the nobility.” This attitude was reflected in measures to protect the class rights of noble landowners (the establishment of the Noble Land Bank, the adoption of the Regulation on Hiring for Agricultural Work, which was beneficial for landowners), strengthening administrative guardianship over the peasantry, and the conservation of the community and the large patriarchal family. Attempts have been made to increase public role Orthodox Church (spread of parochial schools), repressions against Old Believers and sectarians intensified. On the outskirts, a policy of Russification was carried out, the rights of foreigners (especially Jews) were limited.

Diplomacy. Economy. Results of the reign

Russia's foreign policy under Alexander III was mainly directed by the tsar himself and was distinguished by pragmatism, the desire to protect the country from being drawn into international conflicts. The main content of this policy was a turn from traditional cooperation with Germany to an alliance with France (concluded in 1891-93). In the 1880-90s, Russia practically did not wage wars (except for the conquest of Central Asia that ended with the capture of Kushka in 1885), which is why the tsar was called the “peacemaker.”

The economic life of Russia during the reign of Alexander III is characterized by the economic growth, which was largely due to the policy of increased patronage of domestic industry. Thanks to the activities of the Ministers of Finance N.H. Bunge, I.A. Vyshnegradsky, S.Yu. Witte, the revenues of the state treasury increased. The government of Alexander III encouraged the growth of large capitalist industry, which achieved notable successes (metallurgical production doubled in 1886-92, the railway network grew by 47% in 1881-92). However, the rapid development of industry came into conflict with archaic socio-political forms, backwardness Agriculture, peasant community, land shortage, which in many ways prepared the way for social and economic crises(famine and cholera epidemic in 1891-92).

The premature death of Alexander III was caused by nephritis.

On March 1, 1881, Emperor Alexander II Nikolaevich died at the hands of the Narodnaya Volya, and his second son Alexander ascended the throne. At first he was preparing for a military career, because... the heir to power was his elder brother Nikolai, but in 1865 he died.

In 1868, during a severe crop failure, Alexander Alexandrovich was appointed chairman of the committee for the collection and distribution of benefits to the hungry. Before he ascended the throne, he was the ataman of the Cossack troops and the chancellor of the University of Helsingfors. In 1877 he took part in the Russian-Turkish war as a detachment commander.

The historical portrait of Alexander III was more reminiscent of a mighty Russian peasant than the sovereign of an empire. He had heroic strength, but was not distinguished mental abilities. Despite this characteristic, Alexander III was very fond of theater, music, painting, and studied Russian history.

In 1866 he married the Danish princess Dagmara, in Orthodoxy Maria Feodorovna. She was smart, educated, and in many ways complemented her husband. Alexander and Maria Fedorovna had 5 children.

Domestic policy of Alexander III

The beginning of the reign of Alexander III occurred during a period of struggle between two parties: liberal (wanting the reforms begun by Alexander II) and monarchical. Alexander III abolished the idea of ​​Russian constitutionality and set a course for strengthening autocracy.

On August 14, 1881, the government adopted a special law “Regulations on measures to protect state order and public peace.” To combat unrest and terror, they introduced emergency situations, punitive measures were used, and in 1882 the secret police appeared.

Alexander III believed that all the troubles in the country came from the freethinking of his subjects and the excessive education of the lower class, which was caused by his father’s reforms. Therefore, he began a policy of counter-reforms.

Universities were considered the main source of terror. The new university charter of 1884 sharply limited their autonomy, student associations and the student court were banned, access to education for representatives of the lower classes and Jews was limited, and strict censorship was introduced in the country.

changes in zemstvo reform under Alexander III:

In April 1881, the Manifesto on the independence of the autocracy was published, compiled by K.M. Pobedonostsev. The rights of zemstvos were severely curtailed, and their work was brought under the strict control of governors. Merchants and officials sat in the City Dumas, and only rich local nobles sat in the zemstvos. Peasants lost the right to participate in elections.

Changes in judicial reform under Alexander III:

In 1890, a new regulation on zemstvos was adopted. Judges became dependent on the authorities, the competence of the jury was reduced, and magistrates' courts were practically eliminated.

Changes in peasant reform under Alexander III:

The poll tax and communal land use were abolished, compulsory land purchases were introduced, but redemption payments were reduced. In 1882, the Peasant Bank was established, designed to issue loans to peasants for the purchase of land and private property.

Changes in military reform under Alexander III:

The defense capability of border districts and fortresses was strengthened.

Alexander III knew the importance of army reserves, so they created infantry battalions, reserve regiments were formed. A cavalry division was created, capable of fighting both on horseback and on foot.

To conduct combat in mountainous areas, mountain artillery batteries were created, mortar regiments and siege artillery battalions were formed. A special railway brigade was created to deliver troops and army reserves.

In 1892, river mine companies, fortress telegraphs, aeronautical detachments, and military dovecotes appeared.

Military gymnasiums were transformed into cadet corps, for the first time, non-commissioned officer training battalions were created that trained junior commanders.

A new three-line rifle was adopted for service, and a smokeless type of gunpowder was invented. Military uniform replaced with a more convenient one. The procedure for appointment to command positions in the army was changed: only by seniority.

Social policy of Alexander III

“Russia for Russians” is the emperor’s favorite slogan. Only Orthodox Church considered truly Russian, all other religions were officially defined as “other faiths.”

The policy of anti-Semitism was officially proclaimed, and the persecution of Jews began.

Foreign policy of Alexander III

The reign of Emperor Alexander III was the most peaceful. Only once did Russian troops clash with Afghan troops on the Kushka River. Alexander III protected his country from wars, and also helped to extinguish hostility between other countries, for which he received the nickname “Peacemaker.”

Economic policy of Alexander III

Under Alexander III, cities, factories and factories grew, domestic and foreign trade grew, the length of railways increased, and construction of the great Siberian Railway began. In order to develop new lands, peasant families were resettled to Siberia and Central Asia.

At the end of the 80s, the state budget deficit was overcome; revenues exceeded expenses.

Results of the reign of Alexander III

Emperor Alexander III was called “the most Russian Tsar.” He defended the Russian population with all his might, especially on the outskirts, which contributed to the strengthening of state unity.

As a result of the measures taken in Russia, there was a rapid industrial boom, the exchange rate of the Russian ruble grew and strengthened, and the well-being of the population improved.

Alexander III and his counter-reforms provided Russia with a peaceful and calm era without wars and internal unrest, but also gave birth to a revolutionary spirit in the Russians, which would break out under his son Nicholas II.

Ivan KRAMSKOY. Portrait of Alexander III

Alexander III Aleksandrovich (1845-1894), Russian Emperor since 1881. Second son of Alexander II. In the first half of the 80s, in the conditions of growing capitalist relations, he abolished the poll tax and lowered redemption payments. From the 2nd half of the 80s. carried out "counter-reforms". He suppressed the revolutionary democratic and labor movement, strengthened the role of the police and administrative arbitrariness. During the reign of Alexander III, the annexation of Central Asia to Russia was basically completed (1885), and the Russian-French alliance was concluded (1891-1893).

Nikolay SVERCHKOV. Alexander III

Nikolay DMITRIEV-ORENBURGSKY. Portrait of Emperor Alexander III.

Nikolai SHILDER.Portrait of Alexander III

Zabolotsky P.P. Alexander III

A. Sokolov_Alexander III and his wife Maria-Sofia-Frederica-Dagmara,

in Orthodoxy Maria Feodorovna(1847-1928)

Initially, she was the bride of Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, the eldest son of Alexander II, who died in 1865. After his death, an attachment arose between Dagmara and Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich, who together looked after the dying Tsarevich. On June 11, 1866, Tsarevich Alexander decided to propose, about which he wrote to his father on the same day. And on October 28 (November 9), 1866, the marriage took place .Maria, cheerful and cheerful in character, was warmly received by court and metropolitan society. Her marriage to Alexander, despite the fact that their relationship began under such sorrowful circumstances, turned out to be successful; During their almost thirty years of marriage, the couple maintained sincere affection for each other.

Coronation.

Vladimir MAKOVSKY. Portrait of Empress Maria Feodorovna

Ivan KRAMSKOY. Portrait of Empress Maria Feodorovna

Maria Fyodorovna_Heinrich von Angeli

Konstantin MAKOVSKY. Portrait of Empress Maria Feodorovna

Reception of volost elders by Alexander III in the courtyard of the Petrovsky Palace in Moscow. Painting by I. Repin.

Sermon on the Mount 1889. Alexander III with his family. Ivan Makarov.

“The blessing of the Lord is upon you” The family of Alexander III before Christ. Makarov I.K.

Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna had 6 children:

Nikolai Alexandrovich (1868-1918) future emperor Russia.

Alexander Alexandrovich(1869-1870)

Georgy Alexandrovich (1871-1899)

Ksenia Alexandrovna (1875-1960)

Mikhail Alexandrovich (1878-1918)

Olga Alexandrovna (1882-1960)

Last family photo. Livadia, Crimea 1893

From left to right: Tsarevich Nicholas, Grand Duke George, Empress Maria Feodorovna, Grand Duchess Olga, Grand Duke Michael, Grand Duchess Xenia and Emperor Alexander III.