Alexander II of Russia

NAME: Alexander II Nikolaevich (nicknamed "the Liberator")

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Emancipating Russia's serfs in 1861, a monumental reform marking the end of an era. He also attempted other modernizing reforms but faced constant tension between progress and autocracy, culminating in his assassination in 1881.

BIRTH: He was born Alexander Nikolaevich in Moscow on April 29, 1818.

CHILDHOOD: Alexander witnessed his father, Nicholas I, uphold a reactionary regime. Although exposed to progressive ideas like constitutionalism, his strict upbringing fostered a sense of duty and loyalty to tradition.

Despite strictures, Alexander enjoyed military drill and outdoor activities. 

EDUCATION: He received a balanced education, including military training and exposure to Enlightenment thinkers, shaping his complex view of reform.

APPEARANCE: Tall and athletic, with piercing blue eyes and a commanding presence, Alexander exuded both imperial authority and personal charm. 

Photograph, 1878–81

FASHION: In line with the aristocratic fashion of his time, Alexander II wore elaborate military uniforms and formal attire for court functions. He also wore simple civilian attire, reflecting his dual life as Tsar and family man.

CHARACTER: Described as intelligent, pragmatic, and capable of empathy. However, he could be indecisive and susceptible to flattery. 

SENSE OF HUMOR: While history doesn’t provide extensive information on his sense of humor, as a ruler, Alexander II was known to be serious and focused on his reform agenda.

RELATIONSHIPS: He married Maria Alexandrovna, and they had six children. Despite political pressures and challenges, their marriage endured.

Deeply affected by his wife's illness, sought solace in a later relationship, creating internal conflict. 

He maintained strong bonds with some advisors but faced frequent dissent.

MONEY & FAME: Wealthy as Tsar, but Alexander focused on modernization rather than personal extravagance. He enjoyed international recognition for the emancipation, but internal pressures overshadowed fame.

FOOD & DRINK: Alexander enjoyed simple Russian fare but indulged in European delicacies on occasion. He preferred light wines and moderate drinking, unlike his heavy-drinking father.

MUSIC & ARTS: He appreciated opera and theater, often attending performances with his family. 

Alexander supported educational initiatives promoting the arts but maintained a conservative stance on artistic expression.

LITERATURE: Alexander read widely, with a preference for history and philosophy. He favored works that reinforced traditional values and stability.

NATURE: While dealing with the complexities of governing, Alexander II had an interest in nature, which is reflected in some of his reforms related to environmental conservation. 

HOBBIES & SPORTS: Alexander II enjoyed hunting, a popular pastime among the Russian nobility. 

Active and athletic, he engaged in gymnastics, and swimming. He saw physical fitness as crucial for both military leadership and personal well-being.

Alexander II with his uncle, German Emperor William I, on a hunting trip together, 1872

SCIENCE & MATHS: His reign saw advancements in education and the sciences, with a focus on improving Russia's technological and industrial capabilities.

REIGN  If there were ever an award for “Most Optimistic Russian Emperor,” Alexander II would surely have been a front-runner. Ascending to the throne on March 2, 1855, he inherited an empire that was, to put it kindly, a bit of a fixer-upper. His reign coincided with the tail end of the Crimean War, which had taught Russia an important lesson: when you’re still fighting wars with muskets while your enemies have repeating rifles, things are bound to go poorly.

Alexander’s most famous move was the Emancipation Reform of 1861, which freed some 23 million serfs and earned him the cheery title of “Alexander the Liberator.” Of course, “freed” is a relative term. While serfs were now legally allowed to marry, own property, and start businesses, they were also saddled with decades of debt to pay for the land they suddenly found themselves responsible for. But hey, it was progress.

Not content with simply unshackling millions of peasants, Alexander turned his attention to Russia’s rather murky legal system. His reforms included trial by jury (a novel idea at the time), justices of the peace to handle minor squabbles, and—brace yourself—judges with life tenure. In a country where bribery had been more or less the official legal process, this was a genuine improvement. He also introduced the zemstvo system, which was essentially local government by committee, allowing for basic improvements in education, healthcare, and roads—three things Russia desperately needed.

Alexander’s military modernization, spearheaded by his war minister Dmitry Milyutin, finally dragged Russia’s army into something resembling the 19th century. Reforms included universal conscription (which was about as popular as you’d expect), better military schools, and upgraded weaponry. Before these changes, Russia’s approach to warfare had largely been: “Send in a million poorly armed peasants and hope for the best.”

Under Alexander II, Russia underwent a bit of an economic glow-up. The railway network expanded dramatically, stretching from a mere 600 miles to 140,000 miles—a vast improvement, considering that before, getting from Moscow to St. Petersburg could take longer than an actual war. Banking systems also improved, and Russia began exporting more grain and minerals, giving its economy a much-needed boost.

The Tsar also made strides in education, setting up zemstvo schools to boost literacy in rural areas. Meanwhile, censorship laws were relaxed, leading to an actual free press (for a while, at least). Newspapers and books flourished—though, given Russia’s tendency to swing between enlightenment and repression, it wasn’t long before certain headlines got people arrested again.

Despite all these reforms, Alexander II wasn’t exactly beloved by everyone. Conservatives grumbled that he was dismantling traditional Russia, while radicals thought he wasn’t moving fast enough. 

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Alexander navigated the tension between Enlightenment ideals and Orthodox faith. He aimed for reforms that respected tradition while acknowledging the need for change.

The serfs, constituting the largest group of unfree peasants in Russia, were intricately tied to the land, beholden to their lords or nobles. Restricted from leaving their villages or seeking alternative employment, the serfs endured various forms of exploitation and maltreatment under their masters. This system of serfdom, entrenched in Russia for centuries, posed a substantial hindrance to progress and modernization. Recognizing the impediment that serfdom presented to Russia's development,  Alexander II, influenced by his Christian convictions, proclaimed the emancipation of the serfs on March 3, 1861. This groundbreaking reform marked the commencement of a new era in Russian history.

During Alexander II's reign, there was a resurgence in the Russian church, facilitated by the widespread availability of Scriptures in the native language to all Russians from the 1860s onward.

SCANDAL: His later relationship with Princess Dolgorukova fueled rumors and gossip, creating tension within the royal family.

MILITARY RECORD: Alexander II modernized the Russian military and was involved in conflicts such as the Crimean War and the Russo-Turkish War.

Despite leading troops during the Crimean War, his military achievements were overshadowed by strategic failings and the eventual Russian defeat.

HEALTH & FITNESS: Generally healthy, although prone to anxiety and stress. Alexander maintained an active lifestyle but faced some physical ailments later in life.

HOMES: He resided in various imperial palaces, including the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and Peterhof enjoying their grandeur but also sought private retreats like Tsarskoye Selo.

TRAVEL: While he didn’t extensively travel abroad, Alexander II did visit various parts of the Russian Empire to oversee and understand its diverse regions.

DEATH: Alexander II was killed on March 13, 1881 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, by a bomb thrown by Ignacy Hryniewiecki, a member of the revolutionary organization Narodnaya Volya ("People's Will"). It marked the tragic end of a life shaped by the struggle between reform and absolutism. His dying words were "I am sweeping through the gates, washed in the blood of the Lamb."

He was buried in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg, Russia. This cathedral has traditionally served as the burial site for Russian emperors and empresses since the time of Peter the Great.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Portrayed in films, documentaries, and historical novels, highlighting the complex nuances of his reign and legacy.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Emancipation of the serfs remains his most significant achievement, though other reforms in legal, education, and military spheres stand as legacies. However, his failure to address deeper social and political issues paved the way for further unrest.

Source Encyclopedia Of Trivia