During the reign of the Russian Emperor Alexander III, the Russian Empire did not wage a single war. For maintaining the peace, the sovereign began to be called a PEACEKEEPER. He was a truly Russian, simple, honest and witty man, who captured a lot of popular expressions in history.
Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich in the uniform of the Ataman Life Guards Regiment.1867, Painter S. Zaryanko.
The sovereign had amazing strength, he was 193 cm tall and weighed almost 120 kg. He easily bent horseshoes and silver coins, lifted a large horse on his shoulders. At one of the gala dinners, which took place in the northern capital, the Austrian ambassador began to talk about the fact that the Austrian state was ready to form 3 corps of its soldiers against the Russian Empire. The sovereign took a fork from the table and, tying it in a knot, threw it in his direction, with the words: “This is how I will do with your cases.” The story with the hulls ended there.
To prevent a new Balkan war from breaking out due to the ill-conceived policy of Bulgaria, which had just been liberated by Russia, Alexander III went to rapprochement with Turkey and calmed the situation in the Balkans. And the conclusion of an alliance between Russia and France prevented a new German-French military clash. The First World War, in fact, was pushed back by more than twenty years. The grateful French built the Alexander III bridge in Paris, which is still a landmark of the French capital.
When the Russian Tsar fishes Europe is waiting. Artist P.V. Ryzhenko.
Alexander III had a strong dislike for liberalism. His words are known: "Our ministers ... would not have wondered about unrealizable fantasies and lousy liberalism." Many more episodes are known when Alexander gave birth to popular expressions. For example, when the minister who headed the foreign policy department of the state came running to the king during his fishing trip. He asked the king to receive the ambassador of one of the Western states on a serious political issue. In response to a request, the emperor blurted out: "When the Russian Tsar is fishing, Europe can wait."
Alexander tried not to get involved in the affairs of foreign powers, but he didn’t allow to climb into his own lands either. A year after he began to rule, the Afghans succumbed to the false words of the British and decided to take away part of the lands that belonged to the empire. The sovereign immediately ordered: “Drive out and teach a lesson properly!”, This was done immediately. There was another historical moment when the British tried to harm Russia's interests in Afghanistan. Having learned about these intentions, Alexander went up to the table, which was made of solid stone, and hit it with such force that it scattered around. Then he said: “The whole treasury for the war!”.
Alexander III had no reverence for Europe. Firm and resolute, he was always ready to take on a challenge, and on every occasion made it clear that he was only interested in the well-being of Russia's 150 million people. European politicians have always given in to the firmness of the Emperor of Russia.
Reception of volost foremen by Alexander III in the courtyard of the Petrovsky Palace, I. Repin
During his reign, decisive steps were also taken to develop the state's economy, strengthen finances and resolve agrarian-peasant and national-religious issues. The process of unstoppable development of Russia began, which caused horror and wild hysteria of the enemies of our country, who directed all possible efforts to stop it and destroy Russia (the fifth column of liberal and socialist agents became their tool).
The emperor directed his efforts to ensure the material well-being of the people. The Ministry of Agriculture was founded to improve agriculture, the noble and peasant land banks were established, with the assistance of which it was possible to acquire landed property. Domestic industry received support, the domestic market was protected by a well-thought-out system of customs duties on foreign goods, and the construction of new water channels and railways ensured the most active development of the economy and trade.
Alexander III was a deeply believing Orthodox man and tried to do everything he considered necessary and useful for the Orthodox Church. Under him, church life noticeably revived: church brotherhoods began to operate more actively, societies for spiritual and moral readings and discussions arose, as well as for the fight against drunkenness. To strengthen Orthodoxy in the reign of Emperor Alexander III, monasteries were founded again or restored, churches were built, including with numerous and generous imperial donations.
Church in the name of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg, popularly called "The Savior on Spilled Blood" - the cathedral stands over the site of the mortal wound of the SovereignAlexander II.
During the 13-year reign, 5,000 churches were built with state funds and donated money. Of the churches erected at that time, they are remarkable for their beauty and inner splendor: the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg on the site of the mortal wound of Emperor Alexander II - the Tsar Martyr, the majestic church in the name of St. Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles in Kyiv, the cathedral in Riga. On the day of the coronation of the emperor, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, who guarded Holy Russia from the impudent conqueror, was solemnly consecrated in Moscow.
Iconostasis of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg.
Alexander III did not allow any modernization in Orthodox architecture and personally approved the projects of churches under construction. He zealously made sure that the Orthodox churches in Russia looked Russian, so the architecture of his time has pronounced features of a peculiar Russian style. He left this Russian style in churches and buildings as a legacy to the entire Orthodox world.
As S. Yu. Witte wrote,"Emperor Alexander III, having received Russia, at the confluence of the most unfavorable political conditions, deeply raised the international prestige of Russia without shedding a drop of Russian blood."
Even the Marquis of Salisbury, hostile to Russia, admitted:“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.
French Foreign Minister Flourance said:“Alexander III was a true Russian Tsar, which Russia had not seen for a long time before him ... Emperor Alexander III wished that Russia was Russia, that it, first of all, was Russian, and he himself set the best examples of this. He showed himself the ideal type of a truly Russian person.
The personality of the emperor and his significance for the history of Russia are rightly expressed in the following verses:
In the hour of turmoil and struggle, having ascended under the shadow of the throne,
He extended a mighty hand.
And the noisy sedition froze around.
Like a dying fire.
He understood the spiritRussiaand believed in her strength,
Loved her space and expanse,
He lived like a Russian Tsar and he went down to the grave
Like a true Russian hero.
Information Service of the Ministry of Natural Resources
Based on the materials of the Internet channel
History of the Russian Empire.
During the reign of Alexander III, no wars were waged in the Russian state. At the same time, Russia's influence in the world did not decrease, the economy developed, the borders expanded. Alexander III, nicknamed the Peacemaker, adhered to conservative nationalist views, ruled through counter-reforms and implemented the slogan "Russia for the Russians" with all his might.
Accidental succession to crown and wife
The Russian throne fell to the lot of Alexander III by chance. Initially, his older brother Nicholas, who died suddenly after a severe bruise, was prepared for emperors. Alexander's educators, having learned that he would have to lead Russia, simply clutched their heads. Alexander Romanov did not respect science from childhood, and the reason for everything was his invincible laziness. Grigory Gogel, one of the teachers of the future tsar, later said that he was rather diligent, but studied poorly, because he was too lazy to think.
In the royal family, the boy did not stand out either by upbringing or education. He showed no talent in any areas. Therefore, after the death of his brother, the new heir to the crown had to study again, mastering additional sciences. The great Russian historian Sergei Solovyov taught him a full course in the history of the country, instilling in the future emperor a love for his native land. The famous jurist Konstantin Pobedonostsev taught Alexander III the basics of state law. By the way, he later became a loyal friend of the king and his closest adviser.
The marriage of the monarch to Maria Sophia Frederica Dagmar, who received the Orthodox name Maria Feodorovna, was also an accident. The blood princess, the daughter of the Danish king Christian IX, was originally intended to be the wife of her deceased brother Nicholas. But when he first saw the girl, Alexander fell hopelessly in love. For the next 30 years, the union of spouses was an example of reverent and trusting relationships. In this marriage, six children were born. And the sharp and uncompromising autocrat all his life remained an exemplary husband and father for his household.
Peasant disposition of the newly-made ruler and pearl barley in the coronation menu
Having finally taken control of the Russian state after several postponements of the coronation ceremony, Alexander III changed before our eyes. Now he spent days sitting behind state papers, patiently sorting out what he had not even been interested in before. It was not easy for him, but everything was compensated by diligence and determination.
The new tsar outlined the principles of his domestic policy already during the coronation, which was noticeable in the festive dinner menu approved by him. The ascetic choice of Alexander caught the eye of knowledgeable people. The list of dishes consisted of stew, barley soup, borscht, aspic of ruffs and ordinary green peas. The menu was absolutely Russian, rather rude and deliberately folksy.
This kind of festive treat looked like a slap in the face to the Russian aristocrat and foreign guest. But the newly minted king wanted to spit on ceremonial foundations. All his life, Alexander's favorite delicacy was Guryev's semolina porridge, which he preferred to exquisite European desserts.
The tsar was also uncomfortable in the pompous Winter Palace, as a person far from the usual secular pleasures of high society. He repeatedly reduced the ministerial staff, reduced the number of servants and strictly controlled the expenditure of public money. In everyday life he was simple, modest and unpretentious. Alexander's gaze, inherited from his grandfather, was heavy and imposing, so few dared to look him straight in the eyes. At the same time, the emperor often felt timid, avoiding large masses of people, and was afraid to ride. In everyday situations, he dressed in a simple Russian shirt with embroidery on the sleeves. And he tucked his pants in a soldier's way into boots. Even official receptions were sometimes held in worn trousers and a jacket, and the leaky clothes were handed over to his batman for darning.
What did the nationalist emperor succeed in
During the years of the reign of Alexander III, the country did not participate in any serious military-political conflict, and revolutionary outbursts, even after the assassination of the tsar's father, came to a standstill. The emperor took care of ordinary people, gradually abolishing the poll tax and fighting corruption. He let society know that the government does not distinguish between rich and poor, and deprived the grand dukes of their usual privileges, reducing their payments from the state treasury. For financial fraud, even his relatives did not hide from justice.
Alexander III built the longest railway in the world - the Trans-Siberian Railway. An important moment in the foreign policy course of his reign, historians call Russia's turn from an alliance with Germany to military cooperation with France. As a result, Russia received the right to vote at the level of powerful European powers.
Alexander III really loved Russia and, wanting to protect the fatherland from a possible invasion, he constantly strengthened the army and navy. Under Alexander III, the Russian fleet took the 3rd world position after England and France. And the total area of the Russian Empire under Alexander III increased by 430 thousand km² as a result of the peaceful annexation of new lands.
Physical education and painting in the everyday life of Alexander III
Despite the unpretentiousness and even frugality in everyday life, Alexander III spent money on expensive art objects. The emperor was seriously interested in painting and even studied for some time with the St. Petersburg artist Tikhobrazov. In addition to patronizing artists, he personally made sure that the works of Russian composers sounded on the stage of domestic theaters. Throughout his life, the tsar also helped Russian ballet, which at that time deserved world recognition.
A separate place in the life of Alexander III was occupied by physical education. Being by nature a very strong man, he did not disdain even chopping firewood as a charge. In the memoirs of his contemporaries, there are stories about how the king easily broke horseshoes, bent silver coins in his fist and lifted a horse on his shoulders. Once, at dinner with the Austrian ambassador, in response to the latter's threat to form anti-Russian soldier corps, Alexander tied a fork into a knot. And he added that he would do the same with the Austrian corps.
The amazing physical strength of the king once saved the life of his entire family. In the autumn of 1888, the tsar's train crashed. Seven wagons were seriously damaged, among the servants were not only seriously wounded, but also dead. At the time of the accident, Alexander's relatives were in the dining car, the roof of which had collapsed. Alexander held her on his shoulders until help arrived. Not a single member of the royal family was hurt. True, the sharply shaken health of the autocrat is associated with this event, which led to a fatal illness.
Modern historians believe that. Whether this is fact or fiction remains to be seen.
The name of Emperor Alexander III, one of the greatest statesmen of Russia, was desecrated and forgotten for many years. And only in recent decades, when it became possible to speak unbiasedly and freely about the past, evaluate the present and think about the future, the public service of Emperor Alexander III is of great interest to everyone who is interested in the history of their country.
Emperor Alexander III was not intended to reign by birth. As the second son of Alexander II, he became heir to the Russian throne only after the untimely death of his elder brother Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich in 1865. Then, on April 12, 1865, the Supreme Manifesto announced to Russia the proclamation of Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich as the heir-Tsesarevich, and a year later the Tsarevich married the Danish princess Dagmar, who was married to Maria Feodorovna.
On the anniversary of his brother’s death on April 12, 1866, he wrote in his diary: “I will never forget this day ... the first funeral service over the body of a dear friend ... I thought in those moments that I would not survive my brother, that I would constantly cry just at the mere thought that I no longer have a brother and friend. But God strengthened me and gave me the strength to take on my new assignment. Maybe I often forgot in the eyes of others my purpose, but in my soul there was always this feeling that I should not live for myself, but for others; heavy and difficult duty. But: "Thy will be done, O God". I repeat these words all the time, and they always console and support me, because everything that happens to us is all the will of God, and therefore I am calm and trust in the Lord! Awareness of the gravity of obligations and responsibility for the future of the state, entrusted to him from above, did not leave the new emperor throughout his short life.
The educators of the Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich were Adjutant General, Count V.A. Perovsky, a man of strict moral rules, appointed by his grandfather Emperor Nicholas I. The education of the future emperor was in charge of the well-known economist, professor of Moscow University A.I. Chivilev. Academician Ya.K. Grotto taught Alexander history, geography, Russian and German; prominent military theorist M.I. Dragomirov - tactics and military history, S.M. Solovyov - Russian history. The future emperor studied political and legal sciences, as well as Russian legislation, under K.P. Pobedonostsev, who had a particularly great influence on Alexander. After graduation, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich repeatedly traveled around Russia. It was these trips that laid in him not only love and the foundations of a deep interest in the fate of the Motherland, but formed an understanding of the problems facing Russia.
As heir to the throne, the Tsesarevich participated in meetings of the State Council and the Committee of Ministers, was chancellor of the University of Helsingfors, ataman of the Cossack troops, commander of the guards in St. Petersburg. In 1868, when Russia suffered a severe famine, he stood at the head of a commission formed to provide assistance to the victims. During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. he commanded the Ruschuk detachment, which played an important and difficult tactical role: he held back the Turks from the east, facilitating the actions of the Russian army, which besieged Plevna. Understanding the need to strengthen the Russian fleet, the Tsesarevich addressed an ardent appeal to the people for donations to the Russian fleet. In a short time the money was collected. Vessels of the Volunteer Fleet were built on them. It was then that the heir to the throne became convinced that Russia had only two friends: its army and navy.
He was interested in music, fine arts and history, was one of the initiators of the creation of the Russian Historical Society and its chairman, was engaged in collecting collections of antiquities and restoring historical monuments.
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The government formed with the participation of the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod K.P. Pobedonostsev, focused on strengthening the "traditionalist" principles in the politics, economy and culture of the Russian Empire. In the 80s - mid 90s. a series of legislative acts appeared that limited the nature and actions of those reforms of the 60-70s, which, according to the emperor, did not correspond to the historical destiny of Russia. Trying to prevent the destructive power of the opposition movement, the emperor imposed restrictions on zemstvo and city self-government. The elective beginning in the magistrate's court was reduced, in the districts the execution of judicial duties was transferred to the newly established zemstvo chiefs.
At the same time, steps were taken to develop the state's economy, strengthen finances and carry out military reforms, and resolve agrarian-peasant and national-religious issues. The young emperor also paid attention to the development of the material well-being of his subjects: he founded the Ministry of Agriculture to improve agriculture, established noble and peasant land banks, with the assistance of which nobles and peasants could acquire land property, patronized domestic industry (by raising customs duties on foreign goods). ), and the construction of new canals and railways, including through Belarus, contributed to the revival of the economy and trade.
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The state policy in Belarus was dictated, first of all, by the unwillingness of the "violent breaking of the historically established order of life" of the local population, the "violent eradication of languages" and the desire to ensure that "foreigners become modern sons, and not remain the eternal adoptives of the country." It was at this time that the general imperial legislation, the administrative-political administration and the education system finally established themselves in the Belarusian lands. At the same time, the authority of the Orthodox Church rose.
In foreign policy affairs, Alexander III tried to avoid military conflicts, so he went down in history as the "Tsar-Peacemaker". The main direction of the new political course was to ensure Russian interests through the search for reliance on "themselves." Having approached France, with which Russia had no controversial interests, he concluded a peace treaty with her, thus establishing an important balance between the European states. Another extremely important policy direction for Russia was the preservation of stability in Central Asia, which became part of the Russian Empire shortly before the reign of Alexander III. The borders of the Russian Empire pr him advanced to Afghanistan. A railway was laid on this vast expanse, connecting the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea with the center of Russian Central Asian possessions - Samarkand and the river. Amu Darya. In general, Alexander III persistently strove for the complete unification of all the outskirts with native Russia. To this end, he abolished the Caucasian governorship, destroyed the privileges of the Baltic Germans and forbade foreigners, including Poles, to acquire land in Western Russia, including Belarus.
The emperor also worked hard to improve military affairs: the Russian army was significantly enlarged and armed with new weapons; several fortresses were built on the western border. The navy under him became one of the strongest in Europe.
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Parochial schools were extremely important in the era of Alexander III. The emperor saw in the parish school one of the forms of cooperation between the State and the Church. The Orthodox Church, in his opinion, from time immemorial has been the educator and teacher of the people. For centuries, schools at churches were the first and only schools in Russia, including Belaya. Until the half of the 60s. In the 19th century, almost exclusively priests and other members of the clergy were mentors in rural schools. On June 13, 1884, the "Rules on parish schools" were approved by the emperor. Approving them, the emperor wrote in his report about them: “I hope that the parish clergy will prove worthy of their high calling in this important matter.” Parish schools began to open in many places in Russia, often in the most remote and remote villages. Often they were the only source of education for the people. At the accession to the throne of Emperor Alexander III, there were only about 4,000 parish schools in the Russian Empire. In the year of his death, there were 31,000 of them and over a million boys and girls were studying in them.
Along with the number of schools, their position also strengthened. Initially, these schools were based on church funds, on the funds of church brotherhoods and trustees and individual benefactors. Later, the state treasury came to their aid. To manage all parochial schools, a special school council was formed under the Holy Synod, which publishes textbooks and literature necessary for education. Taking care of the parochial school, the emperor realized the importance of combining the foundations of education and upbringing in the public school. This upbringing, protecting the people from the harmful influences of the West, the emperor saw in Orthodoxy. Therefore, Alexander III was especially attentive to the parish clergy. Before him, the parish clergy of only a few dioceses received support from the treasury. Under Alexander III, a vacation was started from the treasury of sums to provide for the clergy. This order laid the foundation for improving the life of the Russian parish priest. When the clergy expressed gratitude for this undertaking, he said: "I will be quite glad when I manage to provide for all the rural clergy."
Emperor Alexander III treated the development of higher and secondary education in Russia with the same care. During his short reign, Tomsk University and a number of industrial schools were opened.
The king's family life was distinguished by impeccability. According to his diary, which he kept daily when he was his heir, one can study the daily life of an Orthodox person no worse than according to Ivan Shmelev's well-known book "The Summer of the Lord." True pleasure was given to Alexander III by church hymns and sacred music, which he put much higher than secular.
Emperor Alexander reigned thirteen years and seven months. Constant worries and intense studies broke his strong nature early: he became more and more unwell. Before the death of Alexander III, he confessed and communed St. John of Kronstadt. Not for a moment did the consciousness leave the king; saying goodbye to his family, he said to his wife: “I feel the end. Be calm. I am completely calm… “About half past 3 he took communion,” the new emperor Nicholas II wrote in his diary on the evening of October 20, 1894, “soon, slight convulsions began, ... and the end came quickly! Father John stood at the head of the bed for more than an hour, holding his head. It was the death of a saint!” Alexander III died in his Livadia Palace (in the Crimea), before reaching his fiftieth birthday.
The personality of the emperor and his significance for the history of Russia are rightly expressed in the following verses:
In the hour of turmoil and struggle, having ascended under the shadow of the throne,
He extended a mighty hand.
And the noisy sedition froze around.
Like a dying fire.
He understood Russia's spirit and believed in its strength,
Loved her space and expanse,
He lived like a Russian Tsar and he went down to the grave
Like a true Russian hero.
Russia for Russians, and in Russian (Emperor Alexander III)
Alexander III - a significant figure in. 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 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. 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 studies, 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 his free time on improving riding skills and developing 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, Misha, enjoyed special paternal love.
The high morality of the emperor gave him the right to ask her from the courtiers. Under Alexander III, they 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 creativity. 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 the Orthodox faith, tirelessly defending its interests.
Alexander III ascended the Russian throne after being assassinated by revolutionary 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 policy, 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 a 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 is fishing." 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.
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."
Russia has two allies - it's the Army and the Navy (Alexander III)
10/20/1894 (2.11). – Tsar Peacemaker Alexander III died in the Livadia Palace in Crimea at the age of 50
Tsar Peacemaker
Alexander III (02/26/1845–10/20/1894) - Russian Emperor since 1881, after the death of his father, who was killed by terrorists.
The future Emperor Alexander III grew up in a large family with six brothers: Nikolai, Alexander, Vladimir, Alexei, Sergei, Pavel and two sisters (Maria married the son of Queen Victoria of England). Boys, at the insistence of their grandfather, were brought up in a strict spirit. Started at the age of eight, regular training continued for 12 years. They were taught: the Law of God, Russian, foreign languages (German, French, English), mathematics, geography, general and Russian history, reading, calligraphy, drawing, military affairs, gymnastics, horseback riding, fencing, music.
The teachers were the most qualified specialists, so that contrary to the liberal myths about "lack of education" and "unpreparedness", the future Emperor Alexander III, like all the royal children, received an excellent education. He was taught the law of God by the professor of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy N.P. Christmas. General M.I. Dragomirov taught military history and tactics. The boys were taught marching, rifle techniques and other military skills by military educators under the guidance of Major General N.V. Zinoviev. Russian literature was taught by professor philologist and historian Ya.K. Grotto and the future director of the Public Library in St. Petersburg M.A. Korf; history was taught by a famous historian; classes in jurisprudence were first led by Professor I.E. Andreevsky, and then professor, who was destined to become one of the closest people to Alexander Alexandrovich.
Alexander Alexandrovich became heir to the throne in 1865 after the death of his elder brother Nikolai. In 1866 he married his bride -. He was an exemplary Orthodox family man, had six children (one of whom died in infancy). Royal children were traditionally brought up in strictness and simplicity.
Assuming the Throne, Emperor Alexander III was aware that the murder of His Most August Parent testified to internal trouble in the state, which required the adoption of decisive measures to combat the corrupters of state foundations. We read about the beginning of the reign of Alexander III at: “It was terrible for him to enter the kingdom. He sat down on the Throne of his fathers, irrigated with tears, ... in the midst of the horror of the people, in the midst of hissing anger and sedition. Wishing to support the new Tsar, Pobedonostsev wrote to him:
“The mad villains who killed your Parent will not be satisfied with any concession and will only become furious. And you can calm down, the evil seed can be torn out only by fighting them on your stomach and to death. It is not difficult to win: until now everyone wanted to avoid the struggle and deceived the late Sovereign, you, themselves, everyone and everything in the world ... No, Your Majesty, there is only one sure direct way to get on your feet and start without falling asleep for a moment, the most holy struggle that has ever been in Russia. All the people are waiting for an authoritative decision on this, and as soon as they feel the sovereign will, everything will rise, everything will come to life and freshen up in the air.
“And now the darkness of turmoil ... began to quickly dissipate,” writes historian V.V. Nazarevsky. - Sedition, which seemed insurmountable, melted like wax in the face of fire ... The confusion in the minds began to quickly give way to Russian sanity, licentiousness and self-will gave way to order and discipline. Freethinking no longer trampled Orthodoxy as a kind of ultramontanism and our native Church as clericalism. The authority of the indisputable and hereditary national supreme power has again risen to its historical and traditional height. For the general improvement of the atmosphere in the country, it is indicative that the number of crimes has sharply decreased and bribery has disappeared.
The guiding rules of his reign were: complete peacefulness in external relations and focus on the internal well-being of the power entrusted to him by God. The Tsar himself, as if a hero who came to us from a Russian epic, encouraged everything Russian both in industry and in culture. He was the founder and first chairman of the Russian Historical Society, with his active participation and partly at his own expense created , after the death of Alexander III, bearing his name.
There is no area in which, during the incomplete 14 years of the reign of Alexander III, there was no significant rise. But Alexander III was especially concerned about the Church and the peasantry. To raise the welfare of the peasants in 1882, the Peasant Land Bank was established. In 1883 Coronation Manifesto. A rule was issued on the hiring of workers for rural and factory work, a factory inspection was introduced to protect the interests of workers. But not only the material situation of the common people worried the Emperor: his constant desire was to give the people's education, about which he also cared a lot, a religious basis, for which purpose the establishment of parochial schools in 1884 was adopted. In 1885 the Noble Land Bank was established. In 1890, in order to improve the civil and family life of the common people, Alexander III established the position of zemstvo chiefs. Thanks to a number of measures, despite the large crop failure in 1891, the financial and economic situation of the country improved significantly by the end of the 19th century.
In Soviet historiography, the reign of Alexander III is presented only as a "rampant gloomy reaction", this tradition is continued by many democratic post-Soviet authors. “For more than a hundred years, the figure of the penultimate Russian Tsar has been the target of the most impartial assessments; his personality serves as an object of unbridled attacks and tendentious criticism,” writes historian A. Bokhanov, and objects: “In total, 17 people were executed for political crimes (for criminal acts) in the “reaction period”. All of them either participated in the regicide, or prepared for it, and not one of them repented. In total, less than 4 thousand people were interrogated and detained for anti-state acts (almost fourteen years). Considering that the population of Russia at that time exceeded 120 million people, then these data convincingly refute the stereotyped thesis about the "terror regime" that was allegedly established in Russia during the reign of Alexander III.
The people sincerely loved their Tsar. When, by the grace of God, the Sovereign and the entire August Family remained unharmed, then all of Russia rejoiced and prayed.
The emerging threat of the death of the entire Imperial family. The fact was that his brother Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (the next oldest son of Alexander II) in 1874 married the Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who did not accept Orthodoxy before marriage (she converted to Orthodoxy only in 1908, when children become adults). By doing so, he violated Art. 185 of the Fundamental Laws: "The marriage of a male person of the Imperial House, who may have the right to inherit the Throne, with a special other faith is made only by the perception of her Orthodox confession." In 1886, being the chairman of the Highest approved Commission for the revision of the Institution of the Imperial Family, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich tried to change the wording of this article, limiting its effect: instead of “Marriage of a male person of the Imperial House, who may have the right to inherit the Throne”, Vel. Book. Vladimir Alexandrovich wrote: "The marriage of the Heir to the Throne and the eldest man in his generation." In such a wording, the article would cease to apply to the family of Grand Duke Vladimir. However, in 1889 Emperor Alexander III restored the article in its previous edition. For if he had died with his family in a train crash, then, according to the meaning of the amended article, the Throne would have gone to his brother Vladimir and his non-Orthodox wife (these were the parents of the future violator of family, state and church laws and traitor Februaryist brought up in this family – )...
The sovereign was deeply moral and honest, an extremely simple, cheerful and very witty person. Many of his resolutions have become classics. There is a known case when in some volost board one peasant spat on his portrait. Cases of insult to Majesty were dealt with in the District Courts and the verdict was necessarily brought to the attention of the Sovereign. So it was in this case. The offending man was sentenced to six months in prison and brought to the attention of the Emperor. Alexander III burst out laughing:
- How! He didn't give a damn about my portrait, and for that I'm going to feed him for another six months? You're crazy, sir. Send him away and tell him that I, in turn, wanted to spit on him. And the end of the matter. Here's another unseen!
Or, the writer Tsebrikova was arrested on some political matter and informed the Sovereign about it. He deigned to draw the following resolution on paper: "Let go of the old fool!". All Petersburg, including the ultra-revolutionary, laughed to tears. Mrs. Tsebrikova's career was completely destroyed...
In the reign under Alexander III, it was completed, which put an end to internecine conflicts and raids on the tribes that became part of the Russian Empire.
Peacetime has begun in Europe. Without interfering in European affairs, since they did not affect our interests, Alexander III, with his sincere peacefulness, strengthened the military power of Russia, skillfully and firmly created political balance in Europe, becoming the guardian of peace in it. The influence of Russia in Europe during his reign was generally recognized. The well-known episode with fishing, which Alexander III loved very much, is characteristic. One day, when he was fishing on Karpin Pond, the Minister of Foreign Affairs rushed to him and began to insistently ask him to immediately receive the ambassador of some Western power on an important European business. To which Alexander III replied: "When the Russian Tsar is fishing, Europe can wait."
But, unfortunately, the reign of Emperor Alexander III was short-lived. After a short illness, on October 20, 1894, the Tsar, having taken communion three times before his death, departed into eternity, admonished by the great prayer book and miracle worker of the Russian land who was with him.
The historian spoke as follows after the death of the Sovereign Peacemaker: “Science will give the Emperor Alexander III a proper place not only in the history of Russia and all of Europe, but also in Russian historiography, will say that He won in the area where it is most difficult to achieve victory, defeated the prejudice of peoples and this contributed to their rapprochement, conquered the public conscience in the name of peace and truth, increased the amount of goodness in the moral circulation of mankind, encouraged and uplifted Russian historical thought, Russian national consciousness, and did all this so quietly and silently that only now, when He is no longer , Europe understood what He was for her.
Monument to Alexander III at the Marble Palace (works by P. Trubetskoy)
Indeed, the whole world reacted to the death of the Russian Tsar - and this respect for him was simply amazing against the background of ordinary European Russophobia. The French Foreign Minister Flourance said: “Alexander III was a true Russian Tsar, such as Russia had not seen before him for a long time. Of course, all the Romanovs were devoted to the interests and greatness of their people. But prompted by the desire to give their people Western European culture, they looked for ideals outside of Russia ... Emperor Alexander III wished that Russia was Russia, that it was, first of all, Russian, and he himself set the best examples of this. He showed himself the ideal type of a truly Russian person. Even the Marquis of Salisbury, hostile to Russia, admitted: “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. This respect of contemporaries for the Russian Emperor is still evidenced by the bridge over the Seine named after him in the very center of Paris.
