Alexander III, the Emperor of Russia, King of Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland

On March 13, 1881, Alexander’s father, Emperor Alexander II, was assassinated in St. Petersburg by Narodnaya Volya, and Alexander unexpectedly succeeded to the throne. On the day of his assassination, Alexander II had signed a proclamation creating a consulting group to advise the Emperor, which some considered a step towards constitutional monarchy. The new emperor, Alexander III, canceled the new policy before it was published. Alexander thought that the empire would have been permeated by anarchist troublemakers and revolutionary agitators. He created the Okhrana, the secret police and he launched a policy of Russification. No major wars were fought during Alexander’s reign and he was nicknamed “The Peacemaker.” One of the most important accomplishments during his was the planning and the beginning of the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, the longest railway in the world.

Alexander III, the Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Portrait of Alexander III in military uniform.