Alexander III was the second son of Alexander. Brought up as a Prince, not as a future Tsar, he was destined for a military career. However, in 1865 his elder brother Nicholas suddenly died and therefore Alexander was proclaimed the heir to the Russian throne.
With the death of his brother, Alexander inherited more than just the throne, but also, as insisted by his brother on his deathbed, Nicolas’ fiancé. In October 1866 Alexander married the daughter of the Danish King, Princess Dagmar.
Alexander became the Tsar of Russia after revolutionaries assassinated his father in March 1881 and was crowned in Moscow on 15 May 1883. Alexander was shaken by his fathers’ death and it caused a profound change in the political course of Russia. Alexander abandoned his father’s plans and declared that only “absolute autocracy” could fight the revolutionary movement.
Alexander III introduced some harsh security measures to fight the terror. He executed all those responsible for his father’s death as well as all direct leaders of terrorist revolutionary groups; he tightened police oppression and increased censorship of the press. Alexander set about restoring law and order in Russia. He quickly dismissed any liberal proposals in government. He sacredly believed in a special destiny for Russia, void of Western ideas.
Alexander encouraged the development of trade and industry and imposed customs duties on imported goods to recover Russia's economy. He also introduced a higher degree of accounting in state finances, liquidating the budget deficit. During his rule industrial development increased and the construction of the Trans Siberian Railway began.
Alexander III displayed extreme caution in foreign policy. However, despite his earnest desire for peace Alexander still worked on strengthening Russia’s military power. His country was always ready to fight any foreign aggression..
Although he was from a German family, Alexander III had a very Russian character. He was a deeply religious man and tried to do everything for the Orthodox Church. He was a deeply moral and honest and very kind, cheerful and witty.
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