The Emperor is a peacemaker. Biography of Emperor Alexander III Alexandrovich

To the 115th anniversary of the death of Sovereign Emperor Alexander III (f 10/20/1894)

Emperor Alexander III, who ruled Russia from 1881 to 1894, became one of the most beloved and revered Sovereigns in Russia. People said about him: “an honest, truthful, crystal soul”, “a true representative of the people”, “Tsar-Bogatyr”, “Tsar-Peacemaker”...

The future Emperor Alexander III was born on February 26, 1845. He was a very modest and shy young man, valued truthfulness in people and loved to work. Having ascended the Throne on March 2, 1881, he worked very hard and hard, ending his day no earlier than two or three in the morning. Those close to the Tsar noted that he was unpretentious in everyday life and did not like small talk and receptions. People often called him the “peasant Tsar,” because no other Tsar from the Romanov dynasty resembled the ideal of the people’s Tsar as much as Emperor Alexander III with his light brown beard and heroic strength. His daughter Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna later recalled that her father could easily bend a horseshoe and tie a spoon in a knot, bend a silver ruble and tear a deck of cards.

The reign of Emperor Alexander III coincided with a difficult time for Russia: the enemies of the Autocracy had been trying to sow revolutionary unrest in Russian society for more than ten years. On March 1, 1881, they killed Tsar-Liberator Alexander II (1855 -1881). Under these conditions, the new Sovereign pursued a firm and decisive policy aimed at suppressing revolutionary unrest. In April 1881, he signed a Manifesto, confirming the inviolability of the Autocracy in Russia.
Emperor Alexander III carried out a number of reforms, the purpose of which was to maintain order in the country, maintain justice and economy, and return to the original Russian principles. In 1881 - 1882 Laws were passed to reduce redemption payments from peasants, and the Peasant Bank was established. The ruble exchange rate has increased noticeably. Reforms also affected the sphere of education: military gymnasiums were transformed into cadet corps, 25 thousand parochial schools were opened, and in 1884 a new university charter was adopted, which significantly weakened the influence of the liberal intelligentsia.
The calm firmness of Emperor Alexander III was also evident in matters of foreign policy. The Emperor made it clear to the whole world that he would firmly defend Russian interests in the international arena. During his reign, Russia did not participate in a single war, but at the same time it significantly increased its authority in Europe, strengthened its influence in the Balkans and Central Asia, and in the East alone it peacefully annexed 429,895.2 square kilometers. km. Emperor Alexander III was called by his contemporaries the Tsar-Peacemaker.

The Emperor was a deeply religious Orthodox man, aware that the Royal service was a huge responsibility entrusted to him by the Lord God. Under him, more than 5 thousand churches and chapels were built in Russia. It is no coincidence that Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky; 1867 - 1936) wrote that the Emperor “considered faith to be the highest truth and the main stronghold of state prosperity.”
We can say that for the first time after Peter's reforms, Emperor Alexander III showed Russia the ideal of the people's Tsar. For this we are grateful to him today, just as we are grateful to many other Russian monarchs whose names were undeservedly slandered in the rebellious 20th century.

The name of Emperor Alexander III, one of the greatest statesmen of Russia, was consigned to desecration and oblivion for many years. And only in recent decades, when the opportunity arose to speak unbiasedly and freely about the past, evaluate the present and think about the future, the public service of Emperor Alexander III arouses great interest of all who are interested in the history of their country.

Emperor Alexander III was not destined to reign by birth. Being the second son of Alexander II, he became the heir to the Russian throne only after the premature death of his older brother Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich in 1865. At the same time, on April 12, 1865, the Highest Manifesto announced to Russia the proclamation of Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich as the heir-Tsarevich, and a year later the Tsarevich married the Danish princess Dagmara, who was named Maria Feodorovna in marriage.

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 minutes that I would not survive my brother, that I would constantly cry at just one thought that I no longer have a brother and friend. But God strengthened me and gave me strength to take on my new assignment. Perhaps I often forgot my purpose in the eyes of others, 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 constantly, 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!” The 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 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 supervised by the famous economist, professor at Moscow University A.I. Chivilev. Academician Y.K. Grot taught Alexander history, geography, Russian and German; prominent military theorist M.I. Dragomirov - tactics and military history, S.M. Soloviev - Russian history. The future emperor studied political and legal sciences, as well as Russian legislation, from K.P. Pobedonostsev, who had a particularly great influence on Alexander. After graduation, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich traveled throughout Russia several times. It was these trips that laid in him not only love and the foundations of deep interest in the fate of the Motherland, but also formed an understanding of the problems facing Russia.

As heir to the throne, the Tsarevich participated in meetings of the State Council and the Committee of Ministers, was the chancellor of the University of Helsingfors, ataman of the Cossack troops, and commander of the guards units in St. Petersburg. In 1868, when Russia suffered a severe famine, he became the head of a commission formed to provide assistance to the victims. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878. he commanded the Rushchuk detachment, which played an important and difficult role tactically: it held back the Turks from the east, facilitating the actions of the Russian army, which was besieging Plevna. Realizing the need to strengthen the Russian fleet, the Tsarevich made an ardent appeal to the people for donations to the Russian fleet. In a short time the money was collected. The Volunteer Fleet ships 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, and was involved in collecting collections of antiquities and restoring historical monuments.

The government, formed with the participation of the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod K.P. Pobedonostsev, concentrated his attention on strengthening the “traditionalist” principles in politics, economics 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 purpose of Russia. Trying to prevent the destructive force of the opposition movement, the emperor introduced restrictions on zemstvo and city self-government. The elective principle in the magistrate court was reduced, and in the counties the execution of judicial duties was transferred to the newly established zemstvo chiefs.

At the same time, steps were taken aimed at developing the state's economy, strengthening finances and carrying out military reforms, and resolving 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 increasing customs duties on foreign goods ), and by constructing new canals and railways, including through Belarus, contributed to the revival of the economy and trade.

State policy in Belarus was dictated, first of all, by the reluctance to “forcibly break the historically established system of life” of the local population, the “forceful eradication of languages” and the desire to ensure that “foreigners become modern sons, and not remain eternal adopted children of the country.” It was at this time that general imperial legislation, administrative and political management and the education system were finally established on 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, which is why he went down in history as the “Tsar-Peacemaker.” The main direction of the new political course was to ensure Russian interests by finding support for “ourselves.” Having become closer to France, with which Russia had no controversial interests, he concluded a peace treaty with her, thereby establishing an important balance between European states. Another extremely important policy direction for Russia was maintaining stability in Central Asia, which shortly before the reign of Alexander III became part of the Russian Empire. The borders of the Russian Empire then advanced to Afghanistan. In this vast space, a railway was built 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 complete unification of all border regions with indigenous Russia. To this end, he abolished the Caucasian governorship, destroyed the privileges of the Baltic Germans and prohibited foreigners, including Poles, from acquiring 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.

An extremely important matter of the era of Alexander III were parochial schools. The Emperor saw the parish school as one of the forms of cooperation between the State and the Church. The Orthodox Church, in his opinion, has been the educator and teacher of the people from time immemorial. For centuries, schools at churches were the first and only schools in Rus', including Belaya. Until the mid-60s. In the 19th century, almost exclusively priests and other members of the clergy were tutors in rural schools. On June 13, 1884, the Emperor approved the “Rules on Parish Schools.” Approving them, the emperor wrote in a report about them: “I hope that the parish clergy will be worthy of their high calling in this important matter.” Church and parochial 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 of Emperor Alexander III to the throne, there were only about 4,000 parochial schools in the Russian Empire. In the year of his death there were 31,000 of them and they educated more than a million boys and girls.

Along with the number of schools, their position also strengthened. Initially, these schools were based on church funds, on funds from church fraternities 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, publishing textbooks and literature necessary for education. While taking care of the parochial school, the emperor realized the importance of combining the fundamentals of education and upbringing in a public school. The emperor saw this education, which protects the people from the harmful influences of the West, 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, the release of funds from the treasury to provide for the clergy began. This order marked the beginning of improving the life of the Russian parish priest. When the clergy expressed gratitude for this undertaking, he said: “I will be quite happy 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 tsar's family life was impeccable. From his diary, which he kept daily when he was his heir, one can study the daily life of an Orthodox person no worse than from the famous book by Ivan Shmelev “The Summer of the Lord.” Alexander III received true pleasure from church hymns and sacred music, which he valued much higher than secular music.

Emperor Alexander reigned for thirteen years and seven months. Constant worries and intensive studies early on broke his strong nature: he began to feel increasingly unwell. Before the death of Alexander III, St. confessed and received communion. John of Kronstadt. Not for a minute did the king’s consciousness leave him; Having said 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, “slight convulsions soon began, ... and the end quickly came!” Father John stood at the head of the bed for more than an hour and held his head. It was the death of a saint!” Alexander III died in his Livadia Palace (in 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 his powerful hand.
And the noisy sedition around them froze.
Like a dying fire.

He understood the spirit of Rus' and believed in its strength,
Loved its space and breadth,
He lived like a Russian Tsar, and he went to his grave,
Like a true Russian hero.

During the reign of the Russian Emperor Alexander III, the Russian Empire did not wage a single war. For maintaining peace, the sovereign began to be called the PEACEMAKER. He was a truly Russian, simple, honest and witty man, who imprinted a lot of popular expressions in history.

Tsarevich Alexander Alexandrovich in the uniform of the Ataman Life Guards Regiment.1867, Artist S. Zaryanko.

The Emperor had amazing strength; he was 193 cm tall and weighed almost 120 kg. He easily bent horseshoes and silver coins and lifted a large horse onto his shoulders. At one of the gala dinners, which took place in the Northern capital, the Austrian ambassador began to talk about how the Austrian state was ready to form 3 corps of its soldiers against the Russian Empire. The Emperor took a fork from the table and, tying it in a knot, threw it in his direction, saying: “This is how I will deal with your bodies.” The story with the buildings 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 moved towards rapprochement with Turkey and calmed the situation in the Balkans. And Russia’s conclusion of an alliance with France prevented a new German-French military clash. The First World War, in fact, was postponed 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 waits. Artist P.V. Ryzhenko.

Alexander III had a strong dislike for liberalism. His words are well known: “Our ministers... would not indulge in unrealistic fantasies and lousy liberalism.” There are still many known episodes 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 while he was fishing. He asked the king to receive the ambassador of one of the Western states on a serious political issue. In response to the request, the emperor blurted out: “When the Russian Tsar fishes, Europe can wait.”

Alexander tried not to get involved in the affairs of foreign powers, but also did not allow them to interfere with their lands. 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 Emperor immediately ordered: “Kick them out and teach them a lesson!” This was carried out immediately. There was another historical moment when the British tried to harm Russian interests in Afghanistan. Having learned about these intentions, Alexander approached the table, which was made of solid stone, and hit it with such force that it scattered to the sides. Then he said: “The entire treasury for the war!”

Alexander III had no reverence for Europe. Firm and decisive, he was always ready to take on a challenge, and on every occasion made it clear that he was only interested in the welfare of Russia's 150 million people. European politicians have always given in to the firmness of the Emperor of Russia.

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

During his reign, decisive steps were taken to develop the state's economy, strengthen finances and resolve agrarian-peasant and national-religious issues. The process of uncontrollable development of Russia began, causing horror and wild hysteria of the enemies of our country, who directed all possible efforts to stop it and destroy Russia (their tool was the fifth column of liberal and socialist agents).

The emperor directed his efforts to ensure the material well-being of the people. The Ministry of Agriculture was founded to improve agriculture, and noble and peasant land banks were established, with the assistance of which it was possible to acquire land 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 canals and railways ensured the most active development of the economy and trade.

Alexander III was a deeply religious 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 act more actively, societies for spiritual and moral readings and interviews, as well as for the fight against drunkenness, began to emerge. To strengthen Orthodoxy during the reign of Emperor Alexander III, monasteries were founded or restored, churches were built, including through numerous and generous imperial donations.

The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg, popularly called “Savior on Spilled Blood” - the cathedral stands above the site of the Emperor’s mortal woundAlexandra II.

During his 13-year reign, 5,000 churches were built using government funds and donated money. Of the churches erected at this time, the following are remarkable for their beauty and internal splendor: the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg on the site of the mortal wound of Emperor Alexander II - Tsar Martyr, the majestic temple in the name of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir in Kiev, the cathedral in Riga. On the day of the emperor’s coronation, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, who protected Holy Rus' from the daring 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 designs of the churches being built. He zealously ensured that Orthodox churches in Russia looked Russian, so the architecture of his time bears pronounced features of a unique 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, under 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. From his deeds the sovereigns of Europe should learn how to govern their peoples.”

French Foreign Minister Flourens said:“Alexander III was a true Russian Tsar, such as Russia had not seen for a long time... Emperor Alexander III wished for Russia to be Russia, for it, first of all, to be Russian, and he himself set the best examples for this. He showed himself to be 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 his powerful hand.
And the noisy sedition around them froze.
Like a dying fire.

He understood the spiritRus'and believed in her strength,
Loved its space and breadth,
He lived like a Russian Tsar, and he went to his grave,
Like a true Russian hero.

MNR Information Service

Based on materials from the Internet channel
History of the Russian Empire.

III has earned a slightly controversial, but mostly positive review. The people associated him with good deeds and called him a peacemaker. Why Alexander 3 was called a peacemaker can be found out in this article.

Ascension to the throne

Due to the fact that Alexander was only the second child in the family, no one considered him as a contender for the throne. He was not prepared to rule, but was only given a basic level of military education. The death of his brother Nicholas completely changed the course of history. After this event, Alexander had to devote a lot of time to study. He re-mastered almost all subjects, from the basics of economics and the Russian language to world history and foreign policy. After the murder of his father, he became the full-fledged emperor of a great power. The reign of Alexander 3 lasted from 1881 to 1894. What kind of ruler he was, we will consider further.

Why was Alexander 3 called a peacemaker?

To strengthen his position on the throne, at the beginning of his reign, Alexander abandoned his father’s idea of ​​​​the constitutionality of the country. This is the answer to the question of why Alexander 3 was called a peacemaker. Thanks to the choice of such a management strategy, he managed to stop the unrest. Largely due to the creation of the secret police. Under Alexander III, the state quite strongly strengthened its borders. The country now has a powerful army and its reserves. Thanks to this, Western influence on the country came to a minimum. This made it possible to exclude all kinds of bloodshed throughout the entire period of his rule. One of the most important reasons why Alexander 3 was called a peacemaker is that he often participated in the elimination of military conflicts in his country and abroad.

Results of the board

Following the results of the reign of Alexander III, he was awarded the honorary title of peacemaker. Historians also call him the most Russian Tsar. He threw all his strength into protecting the Russian people. It was through his efforts that the country’s prestige on the world stage was restored and the authority of the Russian Orthodox Church was elevated. Alexander III devoted a lot of time and money to the development of industries and agriculture in Russia. He improved the welfare of the people of his country. Thanks to his efforts and love for his country and people, Russia achieved the highest results in economics and politics for that period. In addition to the title of peacemaker, Alexander III is also given the title of reformer. According to many historians, it was he who planted the germs of communism in the minds of the people.

Alexander III was distinguished by his wayward character and rigidity of domestic policy. His Herculean physique was combined with indecisiveness and rudeness.

Tarpaulin boots

Emperor Alexander III was the inventor of tarpaulin boots. It's all about his addiction to alcoholic beverages. Alexander was married to Princess Dagmar of the Danish royal house, several of whose members died of alcoholism. She couldn't stand alcohol and flew into a quiet rage when she saw her husband drunk.

Alexander was a caring and loving husband and did not want to offend his wife’s feelings, but he could not cope with his addiction. The emperor found a way out in creating boots with a wide top, where a flask of strong drink could easily fit.
To prevent the flask from putting pressure on the leg, it was made concave on one side.

Character

Even when he was Tsarevich, Alexander “cursed with nasty words” an officer from the Swedish nobles. He demanded an apology, announcing that if he did not receive it, he would shoot himself. The Tsarevich did not even think of apologizing. The officer committed suicide. Alexander II was very angry with his son and ordered him to follow the officer’s coffin all the way to the grave, but even this did not benefit the crown prince.

Having become king, he constantly demonstrated his temper. Alexander III issued a decree appointing V.D. Martynov, manager of the royal stables, to the Senate! The senators were alarmed and began to grumble, but the Tsar lordly stopped their grumbling.

“Well,” E.M. Feoktistov consoled himself melancholy, “it could have been worse. Caligula sent his horse to the Senate, and now only the groom is sent to the Senate. Still progress!”

Basilisk's Gaze

The Tsar was distinguished by his heroic physique and the “basilisk gaze” inherited from his grandfather, Emperor Nicholas I: his gaze inspired horror; few could look Alexander in the eyes. Decisiveness was combined in him with timidity; The emperor was afraid to ride a horse and was embarrassed by large masses of people. Alexander III canceled the May parade, beloved by St. Petersburg residents - when, on the first fine day of May, all one hundred thousand of the capital's troops marched along the Champs of Mars in the highest presence. The king could not stand the sight of such a mass of troops.

Hercules

On October 17, 1888, while returning from the Crimea, the imperial train derailed. The famous imperial train crash occurred. The roof of the carriage in which the family of Alexander III was located began to collapse. The emperor, who possessed extraordinary physical strength, took the falling roof onto his shoulders and held it until his wife and children emerged alive and unharmed from the rubble. After rescuing the family, the emperor did not hesitate and rushed to help other victims.

Outdid

During the reign of Alexander III, an incident occurred. One day, soldier Oreshkin got drunk in a tavern and began to row. They tried to stop him, pointing to a portrait of Alexander III hanging on the wall, but the soldier replied that he spat on the sovereign emperor, after which he was arrested. Amazingly, the emperor did not get angry and did not start the matter, ordering that in the future his portraits should not be hung in taverns, but that Oreshkin should be released and told him: “I didn’t give a damn about him either.”

Autocracy

Alexander III, nicknamed the “peacemaker” for his loyal foreign policy, was distinguished by his toughness in domestic policy. On May 11, 1881, the “Manifesto on the Inviolability of Autocracy,” compiled by K. P. Pobedonostsev and approved by Alexander III, was published in Russia. This document proclaimed the emperor's refusal to further reforms. The emphasis was placed on “faith in the strength and truth of autocratic power.” The manifesto led to dramatic changes and a reshuffle of forces, causing the resignation of liberal-minded ministers, in particular, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, M. T. Loris-Melikov, D. A. Milyutin, A. A. Abaza.

The new entourage of Alexander III consisted of supporters of “pure autocracy”: Chief Prosecutor of the Synod K. P. Pobedonostsev, Minister of Internal Affairs Count D. A. Tolstoy, publicist M. N. Katkov. Since 1889, S. Yu. Witte appeared in the emperor’s entourage, who until that moment had been a member of the board of the South-Western Railways and owed his nomination personally to Alexander III. S. Yu. Witte was appointed director of the railway department of the Ministry of Finance, and in August 1892 he took the post of Minister of Finance. Thanks to S. Yu. Witte, a monetary reform was carried out: after the introduction of gold backing for the ruble, the Russian currency received an independent quotation on world exchanges, which ensured an influx of foreign investment into the country.

Look more fun!

At the funeral of Alexander III, a curious episode took place, which looked quite blasphemous.
The deceased monarch was seen off on his last journey by his subjects and his army. The commander of one of the squadrons D.F. Trepov, at the most solemn moment of the funeral procession, commanded: “Lead to the left! Look more fun!” It is clear that Trepov said this out of training and habit, but those present did not miss this command, otherwise it would not have entered the historical chronicles.