Alexander II

651 Words2 Pages

Alexander II has been considered “a great historical figure without being a great man, that what he did was more important than what he was.” ( W.E Mosse) For 26 years, Czar Alexander II ruled russia. During his reign, he made his mark on history by stepping outside of the box and going to extreme measures to help his people. He has been labeled as the “Liberator of tsar” for the ending of serfdom. Czar Alexander II of Russia has made an impact on history because of his interesting background, fatal assassination, and the changes made after his assassination. One of the main contributors to Alexander II intriguing assassination is his background. Alexander II was born in Moscow on April 29th, and became Tsar of Russia in 1855. “Educated by private tutors, he also had to endure rigorous military training that permanently damaged his health.” (Simkin) He became Czar because his father, Tsar Nicholas I, died of pneumonia and he refused to receive any medical treatment. After his father died and he took the throne, and married the daughter of a Grand Duke named Marie Alexandrovna. After they married, he signed the Treaty of Paris in 1856 and began proposing legislative acts. According to Russiapedia.rt.com, soon after Marie’s health began to go downhill and she passed away, he married his mistress. Her name was Princess Catherine Dolgorukova, and finally after hiding their relationship for 14 years they could be together without Alexander being unfaithful to Mary. After he remarried, Czar Alexander continued to make reforms, and many of his reforms included helping the serfs of Russia gain freedom. “Other reforms introduced by Alexander included improved municipal government and universal military training.” (Simkin) The exp... ... middle of paper ... ...e made his assassination stand out in history. Works Cited Simpkins, John. "Alexander II" Spartacus Educational. Spartacus Educational, Sept.-Oct. 1997. Web. 13 May 2014. "Alexander II of Russia." Princeton University. n.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. "The Flow of History." FC25: Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Era (336 BCE-31 BCE). n.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. Mosse, W.E. "Alexander II (Emperor of Russia)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.I "Czar Alexander II Assassinated." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. "Alexander II: Russia's Last Competent Czar." RealClearHistory- Alexander II: Russia's Last Competent Czar. n.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. "Prominent Russians: Alexander II Liberator." Alexander II Liberator – Russiapedia The Romanov Dynasty Prominent Russians. Web. 18 May 2014.

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