(1855 – 1894)
Alexander III was born on February 26, 1845, was the second son of Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna. After the death of his elder brother, Nicholas Alexandrovich was proclaimed heir to the throne. He was married to the Danish Princess Maria Feodorovna.
As heir to the throne, he took an active part in the Russo-Turkish war.
On March 2, 1881, he ascended to the throne, and on May 15, 1883, was crowned in Moscow.
Alexander III set out to consolidate and complete Alexander II’s reforms.
In his reign, many new churches were built, parish schools were established, judicial reforms were introduced in the Baltic region and measures were taken to enforce it, and the rights of Jews were restricted.
In 1882, the establishment of a peasant bank, through which peasants could acquire land ownership.
In 1883, the capitation was abolished. In 1890, a new post of zemstvo chiefs was established, which in their hands combined administrative and judicial power.
1885 year. Establishment of a noble bank.
In 1884, a new university charter was introduced. Military gymnasiums are converted into cadet corps. The city of Dorpat was returned to its former name – Yuriev, and his university was transformed from German into Russian.
1888 year. Opening of the University in Tomsk. October 17, the collapse of the Tsar’s train near the station Borki. Establishment of four class Mariinsky Schools and the Ksenia Institute.
May 19, 1891 the Great Siberian road was laid down by the heir, the prince, Nikolai Alexandrovich.
Particular attention was paid to the organization of the troops. The strength of the army has been increased, the service life of soldiers has been shortened. The Black Sea Fleet was rebuilt, for which several battleships were built at the shipyards of Nikolaev and Sevastopol, a whole flotilla of destroyers was built.
The foreign policy of Alexander III was not to interfere in European affairs. He established friendly relations with France, thus paralyzing the plans of the triple alliance.
In 1885, there was a clash of Afghans with the Russian detachment, which ended in the defeat of the Afghans on Kushka. Merv, Serax, Pamir were occupied by the Russians.
Under Alexander III, Russia reached a high degree of power and received a decisive vote in all affairs of Europe and Asia.
Alexander III was a truly Russian Tsar, both to his liking and outward appearance. Deeply religious, caring husband and father, he gave his life as an example to his subjects. He was distinguished by the hardness of his character. Most of all he loved the truth. Calmly pondered each case. Was remarkably easy to handle. And in general he loved everything Russian.
His reign was short-lived, lasted only 13 years. October 20, 1894, he died in Livadia.
For the maintenance of the common European world, Alexander III received the nickname “Peacemaker”.