And Alexander the Great. She believed that in the future he himself would choose “which path to take - holiness or heroism.” Alexander Pavlovich's father was PaulI, and his mother was Maria Feodorovna.

Childhood and youth of Alexander I

When Alexander was born, his grandmother immediately took him. She planned to actively engage in his upbringing, so that the heir would grow up and become an ideal ruler who would continue her work. Catherine did not want Pavel to become emperor; she was going to transfer power immediately to her grandson Alexander Pavlovich.

His parents lived in Pavlovsk and Gatchina, and Alexander lived with his grandmother in Tsarskoe Selo. The Swiss general Frederic Cesar Laharpe was appointed teacher; on the recommendation of Denis Diderot, he conducted scientific classes and introduced Paul's sons to the works of the philosopher Rousseau. Nikolai Saltykov taught them the traditions of the Russian aristocracy.

Alexander was a kind and gentle child from childhood. He was distinguished by a sharp mind and shared the ideas of liberals. But at the same time it was difficult for Alexander to concentrate on long time At work.

The Tsarevich was critical of autocratic power and adhered to the ideas of the Enlightenment.

He was passing military service in the Gatchina troops, where he became deaf in his left ear due to the sounds of cannons. On November 18 (7), 1796, Alexander was promoted to colonel of the guard. A year later, he became the St. Petersburg military governor, chief of the Semenovsky Guards Regiment, commander of the capital division, chairman of the food supply commission, etc.

In 1798, he began to sit in the military parliament, and a year later - in the Senate.

Accession to the throne of Alexander I

During the reign of Paul I, several conspiracies were organized. Alexander knew that they wanted to overthrow his father from the throne and transfer power to him. Alexander Pavlovich did not oppose the conspiracies, but he did not plan to kill the emperor, but wanted to save his father’s life.

In 1800, the highest nobility planned a conspiracy, among them were: Pyotr Alekseevich Palen, Osip Mikhailovich Deribas, Nikita Petrovich Panin, Leonty Leontyevich Bennigsen, Nikolai Alexandrovich Zubov, Leonty Ivanovich Depreradovich, Fedor Petrovich Uvarov and Pyotr Alexandrovich Talyzin.

Paul I was killed on the night of March 24 (12), 1801 in his bedchamber. Then Palen arrived to Alexander and reported the death of Paul. The emperor was very upset about the death of Paul and until the end of his life he felt guilty for the death of his father.

After this event, Alexander I went out onto the balcony and announced the death of Paul due to apoplexy. He promised that he would continue the policies of Catherine II.

Politics of Alexander I

One of the main problems in Russian Empire He considered “the arbitrariness of our rule”; the emperor planned to develop fundamental laws that everyone in the state had to follow.

Domestic policy of Alexander I

In 1801, Alexander created the Secret Committee - an unofficial state advisory body, which included V. P. Kochubey, A. Chartorysky, N. N. Novosiltsev, P. A. Stroganov. His task was to work on reforming the organs state power. In 1803, the committee was disbanded, and subsequently the responsibility for developing government reforms fell on M. M. Speransky.

On April 11 (March 30), 1801, the Permanent Council was organized - the highest advisory body of the Russian Empire. It existed until 1810, and after that it was transformed into the State Council.

In 1808-1809, Speransky developed a plan for the reorganization of the empire, in accordance with it there should be a division of powers into the legislative, judicial and executive branches, while the power of the emperor remained absolute. The plan envisaged the creation of an elected representative body. The population was to receive civil and political rights. It was planned to divide the population into three classes: “working people”, “middle class” and nobility.

Ministers, senators and other high dignitaries opposed such reforms, so Alexander was forced to give in and postpone the project. But some of the reforms were implemented, in particular, the State Council was created and changes took place in the ministries.

Under Alexander I, merchants, townspeople, state and appanage peasants in 1801 received the right to buy land outside the cities.

In 1808-1809 it took place Russian-Swedish War, after it the Grand Duchy of Finland was annexed to the empire.

In 1812 it began Patriotic War between the Russian Empire and France. At the first stage, the Russian army retreated from the borders of Russia to Moscow, fighting battles, the most famous of which was Battle of Borodino. It took place on September 7 (August 26), 1812, the Russian troops were led by. The battle was one of the bloodiest battles of the 19th century; according to various sources, about 48-58 thousand people died in it. The Russian Empire believed that victory was itss, and Napoleon believed that he had won. In this battle, Napoleon was unable to defeat the Russian army and force the Russian Empire to surrender.

After the battle, French troops occupied Moscow, where a fire occurred that engulfed almost the entire Zemlyanoy and White cities. There are different versions of the cause of the fire, but the most popular is that the fire was organized by the Russians on purpose, because Napoleon planned to spend the winter in it. Proof of this version is the fact that Kutuzov decided to leave Moscow without a fight.

As a result, the French army found itself in a trap, because it was completely unprepared for winter, and Moscow was burned, so there were no provisions, warm clothes, horses, etc. in the city.

On October 19, the French army of 110 thousand people began to leave Moscow. October 24 took place battle of Maloyaroslavets, which became a major strategic victory for the Russian army led by Kutuzov.

The French army was forced to retreat along the devastated Smolensk road, and since it had supply problems, this route became fatal. On the way, they were attacked by the Cossacks of General Platov and partisans, and the Russian army marched parallel to the French.

The French army was exhausted, people abandoned their weapons, were forced to feed on horses, and many died on the road.

The last battle in the Patriotic War of 1812 was battle on the Berezina, Napoleon was able to transport part of the troops across the bridge, but the bridge itself was burned on his orders, leaving a crowd of thousands of unarmed people attacked by the Cossacks.

The Patriotic War of 1812 ended with the almost complete destruction of Napoleon's Grand Army.

In 1813-1814, Alexander I led the anti-French coalition of European powers. On March 31 (19), 1814, he entered Paris.

Between September 1814 and June 1815, the Emperor was one of the leaders of the Congress of Vienna.

During the reign of Alexander I, the territory of the Russian Empire increased significantly. The country included Western and Eastern Georgia, Mingrelia, Imereti, Guria, Finland, Bessarabia, and most of Poland.

Personal life and family of Alexander I

On September 28 (17), 1793, Alexander married Louise Maria Augusta of Baden, daughter of the Margrave of Baden-Durlach Karl Louis of Baden, she was named Elizaveta Alekseevna.

In 1792, she and her sister arrived in St. Petersburg on the orders of Catherine. Alexander had to choose one of them as his wife. Feelings arose between Elizabeth and the prince that did not last long.

During their marriage, they had two daughters; they lived only a few years:

1. Maria (May 18, 1799 – July 27, 1800);
2. Elizabeth (November 3, 1806 – April 30, 1808).

During family life With Elizabeth, Alexander had another lover - Maria Antonovna Naryshkina, who served as a maid of honor. For about 15 years they were in a love affair, which ended due to the fact that Alexander heard rumors about her infidelity. There is an opinion that during their relationship, Maria gave birth to a daughter, Sofya Naryshkina, from the emperor.

Alexander also had a love affair with Sofia Sergeevna Meshcherskaya. She had a son, Nikolai Evgenievich Lukash; it was believed that his father was Alexander I.

There are different opinions about the number of the emperor's children: some historians believe that he had about 11 children from Maria Naryshkina and other mistresses, others believe that he was infertile, and the fathers of his wife's daughters were Adam Czartoryski and Alexei Okhotnikov.

The last years of life and death of Alexander I

The last two years of his life, Alexander became less and less interested in state affairs, transferring power to Arakcheev. There is a theory that the emperor was so tired of power that he wanted to abdicate the throne.

The last year of his reign was overshadowed by the St. Petersburg flood of 1824 and the death of Sofia Dmitrievna Naryshkina, whom he recognized as his illegitimate daughter.

Alexander loved to travel around Russia and Europe, so at the time of his death he was far from the capital. On December 1 (November 19), 1825, Alexander I died in Taganrog in the house of mayor P. A. Papkov.

Since Alexander was practically not ill, and his death was sudden, various rumors and theories appeared. According to one version, it was believed that the emperor only faked his death, and he himself hid near Kiev.

In the 1830-1840s, a theory arose according to which Alexander, out of remorse for his father’s death, faked his death and began to live as a hermit under the name Fyodor Kuzmich. Whether this theory is true is still unknown.

A similar version arose in relation to Alexander’s wife. In 1826, Empress Elizaveta Alekseevna died. But some believe that she only faked death, and she herself began to live as a recluse at the Syrkov Maiden Monastery under the name of Vera the Silent.

Two years before his death, on August 28 (16), 1823, by order of Alexander I, a secret manifesto was drawn up, where the emperor indicated that he accepted the abdication of the throne of his brother Constantine, and his younger brother was recognized as the legal heir NikolayI, who eventually became the next emperor.

Reign of Alexander I (1801-1825)

On March 12, 1801, as a result of a palace coup, Alexander I ascended the throne. As a child, Alexander was taken from his parents and raised by his grandmother, Catherine the Great. The Empress appointed the Swiss nobleman F. Laharpe as the prince's tutor, who had a huge influence on the formation of the liberal views of the future autocrat. Trying to adapt to the confrontation between Catherine II and his father, Alexander Pavlovich was forced to maneuver between two opposing factions, which influenced the formation of such qualities of his character as cunning, insight, caution and duplicity. The fact that Alexander I knew about the impending conspiracy against Emperor Paul I, but due to weakness and thirst for power, could not prevent the murder of his father, contributed to the development of his suspiciousness and distrust of others.

Liberal reforms 1801-1815

Having become emperor, Alexander I fully demonstrated himself as a cautious, flexible and far-sighted politician, extremely prudent in his reform activities.

The first steps of the new emperor justified the hopes of the Russian nobility and indicated a break with the policies of Emperor Paul and a return to transformative activities Catherine the Great.

Alexander I returned the disgraced nobles, lifted restrictions on trade with England, and lifted the ban on the import of books from abroad. The emperor also confirmed the privileges for nobles and cities specified in Catherine’s Charters.

At the same time, Alexander I, in order to develop liberal reforms government system created the Secret Committee (May 1801 - November 1803), which included: P. Stroganov, A. Czartoryski, V. Kochubey and N. Novosiltsev. The secret committee was not an official state institution, but was an advisory body under the sovereign. The main issues discussed at the meetings of the Secret Committee were reforms of the state apparatus towards limiting autocracy, the peasant question and the education system.

The result of the activities of the Secret Committee of the country was the reform of higher government agencies. On September 8, 1802, a Manifesto was published, according to which, instead of collegiums, the following ministries were established: military, naval, foreign affairs, internal affairs, commerce, finance, public education and justice, as well as the State Treasury as a ministry.

In resolving the peasant issue discussed in the Secret Committee, Alexander I was extremely careful. The emperor considered serfdom to be a source of social tension, but was convinced that society was not ready for radical reforms. On February 20, 1803, a decree on “free cultivators” was issued, which provided landowners with the opportunity to free peasants with land for a ransom. The decree was advisory in nature and was not very popular among landowners: during the entire period of the reign of Alexander I, less than 0.5% of serfs became “free tillers”.

Since the autumn of 1803, the importance of the Secret Committee began to decline, and its place was taken by the Committee of Ministers. To continue the transformation, Alexander I needed new people who were personally loyal to him. A new round of reforms was associated with the name of M. Speransky. Alexander G made Speransky his main adviser and assistant. By 1809, Speransky, on behalf of the emperor, prepared a plan for state reforms called “Introduction to the Code of State Laws.” According to this plan, it was necessary to implement the principle of separation of powers (legislative functions were concentrated in the hands of the State Duma, judicial functions in the hands of the Senate, executive functions in the ministries). According to M. Speransky’s plan, the entire population of Russia was divided into three classes: the nobility, the “middle estate” (merchants, petty bourgeois, state peasants) and the “working people” (serfs, artisans, servants). All classes received civil rights, and the nobles received political rights.

The Emperor approved Speransky's plan, but did not dare to carry out large-scale reforms. The transformations affected exclusively central system public administration: in 1810, the State Council was established - a legislative advisory body under the emperor.

In 1810-1811 the reform of the ministerial management system, which began back in 1803, was completed. According to “ General institution ministries" (1811) eight ministries were formed: foreign affairs, military, maritime, internal affairs, finance, police, justice and public education, as well as the General Directorate of Posts, the State Treasury and a number of other departments. Strict autocracy was introduced. Ministers appointed by the tsar and accountable only to him formed the Committee of Ministers, the status of which as an advisory body under the emperor was determined only in 1812.

At the beginning of 1811, the State Council refused to approve the draft of new reforms. The failure of Speransky’s entire plan became obvious. The nobility clearly felt the threat of the destruction of serfdom. The growing opposition of conservatives became so threatening that Alexander I was forced to stop the reforms. M. Speransky was removed and then exiled.

Thus, the reforms at the beginning of the first period of the reign of Alexander I were very limited, but they sufficiently strengthened his position as an autocratic monarch, being the result of a compromise between the liberal and conservative nobility.

Conservative period of the reign of Alexander I

The second period of the emperor's reign is traditionally called historical literature“conservative”, despite the fact that at that time such liberal reforms were carried out as the introduction of the Polish constitution, the granting of autonomy to Bessarabia, and the easing of the situation of peasants in the Baltic states.

External events 1812-1815 relegated Russia's internal political problems to the background. After the end of the war, the issue of constitutional reforms and serfdom again became the focus of attention of society and the emperor himself. A draft Constitution was developed for the Polish lands that were part of Russia. This constitution became a kind of trial step, an experiment that was supposed to precede the introduction of a constitution in Russia.

In November 1815 The Polish constitution was approved. It retained the monarchy, but provided for the creation of a bicameral parliament (Sejm). The government had to be responsible to the Sejm, freedom of the press, equality of all classes before the law, and personal inviolability were also guaranteed. And at the opening of the Sejm in 1818, in the speech of Alexander I, a promise was actually made to introduce a constitution in Russia. In March 1818, the emperor instructed a group of his advisers led by N. Novosiltsev to develop a constitution for Russia. The constitution was developed, but was never implemented - Alexander I did not dare to go into direct confrontation with the opposition.

In April 1818, Alexander I granted autonomous administration of Bessarabia. According to the “Charter of Education of the Bessarabian Region”, the highest legislative and executive power was transferred to the Supreme Council, part of which was elected from the nobility. Back in 1804, the “Regulations on Livland Peasants” were approved, which prohibited the sale of serfs without land, a fixed duty that freed peasants from conscription duties. In May 1816, the emperor signed the “Regulations on Estonian Peasants”, according to which they received personal freedom, but all land remained the property of the landowners. Peasants could rent land and later buy it. In 1817, the “Regulation” was extended to Courland and Livonia (1819).

However, due to the oppositional sentiments of the nobility, who did not want to part with their privileges, the reformist intentions of Alexander I were replaced by an openly reactionary course. In 1820, the State Council rejected the Tsar's proposed bill banning the sale of serfs without land. In addition, the wave of European revolutions of 1820-1821. and uprisings in the army convinced him of the untimeliness of the reforms. IN last years During his reign, Alexander I did little internal affairs, focusing on the problems of the Holy Alliance, which became a stronghold of European monarchs against liberation and national movements. It was at this time that the influence of A. Arakcheev increased, after whom the regime established in the country was called “Arakcheevism” (1815-1825). Its clearest manifestation was the creation of the military police in 1820, strengthening of censorship, the prohibition in 1822 of the activities of secret societies and Masonic lodges in Russia, and the restoration in 1822 of the right of landowners to exile peasants to Siberia. Indicative was the creation of “military settlements”, in which, under the strictest regulation and control, peasants performed military service along with agricultural service.

Thus, liberal reform projects to abolish serfdom and provide Russia with a constitution were not implemented due to the reluctance of the overwhelming mass of the nobility to transform. Without receiving support, reforms could not be carried out. Fearing a new palace coup, Alexander I could not go against the first estate.

In November 1825, the emperor unexpectedly died in Taganrog (according to another version, he secretly entered a monastery). The second son of Paul I, brother of Alexander I, Constantine, renounced rule in 1822. The Manifesto, drawn up in 1823, in which Paul’s third son, Nicholas, was appointed successor, was kept secret from the heir. As a result, in 1825 a situation of interregnum arose.

In the last years of his life he often spoke about his intention to abdicate the throne and “remove the world”, that after his unexpected death from typhoid fever in Taganrog gave rise to the legend of “elder Fyodor Kuzmich”. According to this legend, it was not Alexander who died and was then buried in Taganrog, but his double, while the tsar lived for a long time as an old hermit in Siberia and died in Tomsk in 1864.

Name

Childhood, education and upbringing

Frederic Cesar Laharpe, tutor of Alexander I

The multifaceted character of Alexander Romanov is based to a large extent on the depth of his early education and the difficult environment of his childhood. He grew up in the intellectual court of Catherine the Great; the Swiss Jacobin teacher Frederic Caesar La Harpe introduced him to the principles of humanity of Rousseau, the military teacher Nikolai Saltykov - to the traditions of the Russian aristocracy, his father passed on to him his passion for military parades and taught him to combine spiritual love for humanity with practical concern for his neighbor. These opposites remained with him throughout his life and influenced his politics and - indirectly, through him - the fate of the world. Catherine II considered her son Paul incapable of taking the throne and planned to elevate Alexander to it, bypassing his father.

Elizaveta Alekseevna

For some time, Alexander served in the Gatchina troops formed by his father. Here Alexander developed deafness in his left ear “from the strong roar of the guns.”

Accession to the throne

All-Russian Emperors, Romanovs Holstein-Gottorp branch (after Peter III)

Paul I Maria Fedorovna

Nicholas I Alexandra Fedorovna

Alexander II Maria Alexandrovna

In 1817, the Ministry of Public Education was transformed into Ministry of Spiritual Affairs and Public Education.

In 1820, instructions were sent to universities on the “correct” organization of the educational process.

In 1821, verification of the implementation of the instructions of 1820 began, which was carried out very harshly, biasedly, which was especially observed at the Kazan and St. Petersburg universities.

Attempts to solve the peasant question

Upon ascending the throne, Alexander I solemnly declared that from now on the distribution of state-owned peasants would cease.

12 Dec. 1801 - decree on the right to purchase land by merchants, bourgeois, state and appanage peasants outside the cities (landed peasants received this right only in 1848)

1804 - 1805 - the first stage of reform in the Baltic states.

March 10, 1809 - the decree abolished the right of landowners to exile their peasants to Siberia for minor offenses. The rule was confirmed: if a peasant once received freedom, then he could not be assigned to the landowner again. Those who came from captivity or from abroad, as well as those taken through conscription, received freedom. The landowner was ordered to feed the peasants in times of famine. With the permission of the landowner, peasants could trade, take bills, and engage in contracts.

In 1810, the practice of organizing military settlements began.

For 1810 - 1811 Due to the difficult financial situation of the treasury, over 10,000 state-owned peasants were sold to private individuals.

On Nov. 1815 Alexander I granted a constitution to the Kingdom of Poland.

On Nov. 1815 Russian peasants are forbidden to “seek freedom.”

In 1816, new rules for organizing military settlements were introduced.

In 1816 - 1819 Peasant reform in the Baltic states is being completed.

In 1818, Alexander I instructed the Minister of Justice Novosiltsev to prepare a State Charter for Russia.

In 1818, several royal dignitaries received secret orders to develop projects for the abolition of serfdom.

In 1822, the right of landowners to exile peasants to Siberia was renewed.

In 1823, a decree confirmed the right of hereditary nobles to own serfs.

Peasant liberation projects

In 1818, Alexander I instructed Admiral Mordvinov, Count Arakcheev and Kankrin to develop projects for the abolition of serfdom.

Mordvinov's project:

• peasants receive personal freedom, but without land, which remains entirely with the landowners.
• the amount of the ransom depends on the age of the peasant: 9-10 years - 100 rubles; 30-40 years old - 2 thousand; 40-50 years -...

Arakcheev's project:

• The liberation of the peasants should be carried out under the leadership of the government - gradually redeeming peasants with land (two dessiatines per capita) by agreement with the landowners at prices in the given area.

Project Kankrin:

• the slow purchase of peasant land from landowners in sufficient quantities; the program was designed for 60 years, i.e. before 1880

Military settlements

In con. 1815 Alexander I begins to discuss the project of military settlements, the first experience of implementation of which was carried out in 1810-1812. on the reserve battalion of the Yelets Musketeer Regiment, located in the Bobylevsky eldership of the Klimovsky district of the Mogilev province.

The development of a plan for creating settlements was entrusted to Arakcheev.

Project goals:

1. create a new military-agricultural class, which on its own could support and recruit a standing army without burdening the country’s budget; the size of the army would be maintained at wartime levels.
2. free the country's population from constant conscription - maintain the army.
3. cover the western border area.

In Aug. In 1816, preparations began for the transfer of troops and residents to the category of military villagers. In 1817, settlements were introduced in the Novgorod, Kherson and Sloboda-Ukrainian provinces. Until the end of the reign of Alexander I, the number of districts of military settlements continued to grow, gradually surrounding the border of the empire from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

By 1825, there were 169,828 soldiers in military settlements regular army and 374,000 state peasants and Cossacks.

In 1857, military settlements were abolished. They already numbered 800 thousand people.

Forms of opposition: unrest in the army, secret societies of the nobility, public opinion

The introduction of military settlements met with stubborn resistance from peasants and Cossacks, who were converted into military villagers. In the summer of 1819, an uprising broke out in Chuguev near Kharkov. In 1820, peasants became agitated on the Don: 2,556 villages were in revolt.

The entire regiment stood up for her. The regiment was surrounded by the military garrison of the capital, and then in in full force sent to the Peter and Paul Fortress. The first battalion was put on trial by a military court, which sentenced the instigators to be driven through the ranks, and the remaining soldiers to exile to distant garrisons. Other battalions were distributed among various army regiments.

Under the influence of the Semenovsky regiment, fermentation began in other parts of the capital's garrison: proclamations were distributed.

In 1821, secret police were introduced into the army.

In 1822, a decree was issued banning secret organizations and Masonic lodges.

Foreign policy

The first wars against the Napoleonic Empire. 1805-1807

Russian-Swedish War 1808 - 1809

The cause of the war was the refusal of the King of Sweden, Gustav IV Adolf, to Russia's offer to join the anti-British coalition.

Russian troops occupied Helsingfors (Helsinki), besieged Sveaborg, took the Aland Islands and Gotland, the Swedish army was driven to the north of Finland. Under pressure from the English fleet, Aland and Gotland had to be abandoned. Buxhoeveden, on his own initiative, agrees to conclude a truce, which was not approved by the emperor.

In December 1808, Buxhoeveden was replaced by O.F. von Knorring. On March 1, the army crossed the Gulf of Bothnia in three columns, the main one being commanded by P.I. Bagration.

• Finland and the Åland Islands passed to Russia;
• Sweden pledged to dissolve the alliance with England and make peace with France and Denmark, and join the continental blockade.

Franco-Russian alliance

Patriotic War of 1812

Alexander I in 1812

Greek Revolution

Views of contemporaries

The complexity and contradictory nature of his personality cannot be discounted. With all the variety of reviews from contemporaries about Alexander, they all agree on one thing - the recognition of insincerity and secrecy as the main character traits of the emperor. The origins of this must be sought in the unhealthy environment of the imperial house.

Catherine II adored her grandson, called him “Mr. Alexander”, and predicted, bypassing Paul, to be the heir to the throne. The august grandmother actually took the child away from the parents, establishing only visiting days, and she herself was involved in raising her grandson. She composed fairy tales (one of them, “Tsarevich Chlor,” has come down to us), believing that literature for children was not at the proper level; compiled “Grandma’s ABC,” a kind of instruction, a set of rules for raising heirs to the throne, which was based on the ideas and views of the English rationalist John Locke.

From my grandmother future emperor inherited flexibility of mind, the ability to seduce an interlocutor, a passion for acting bordering on duplicity. In this, Alexander almost surpassed Catherine II. “Be a man with a heart of stone, and he will not resist the appeal of the sovereign, he is a real seducer,” wrote Alexander’s associate M. M. Speransky.

The Grand Dukes - brothers Alexander and Konstantin Pavlovich - were brought up in a Spartan way: they got up early, slept on hard things, ate simple, healthy food. The unpretentiousness of life later helped to endure the hardships of military life. The main mentor and educator of the heir was the Swiss republican F.-C. Laharpe. In accordance with his convictions, he preached the power of reason, the equality of people, the absurdity of despotism, and the vileness of slavery. His influence on Alexander I was enormous. In 1812, the emperor admitted: “If there had not been La Harpe, there would have been no Alexander.”

Personality

The unusual character of Alexander I is especially interesting because he is one of the most important characters in the history of the 19th century. An aristocrat and a liberal, at the same time mysterious and famous, he seemed to his contemporaries a mystery that everyone solves in his own way. Napoleon considered him an “inventive Byzantine”, a northern Talma, an actor who was capable of playing any significant role.

Father's murder

Another element of the character of Alexander I was formed on March 23, 1801, when he ascended the throne after the assassination of his father: a mysterious melancholy, ready at any moment to turn into extravagant behavior. At the beginning, this character trait did not manifest itself in any way - young, emotional, impressionable, at the same time benevolent and selfish, Alexander from the very beginning decided to play a great role on the world stage and with youthful zeal set about realizing his political ideals. Temporarily leaving in office the old ministers who had overthrown Emperor Paul I, one of his first decrees appointed the so-called. a secret committee with the ironic name "Comité du salut public" (referring to the French revolutionary "Committee of Public Safety"), consisting of young and enthusiastic friends: Viktor Kochubey, Nikolai Novosiltsev, Pavel Stroganov and Adam Czartoryski. This committee was to develop a scheme for internal reforms. It is important to note that the liberal Mikhail Speransky became one of the tsar's closest advisers and drew up many reform projects. Their goals, based on their admiration for English institutions, far exceeded the capabilities of the time, and even after they were elevated to the ranks of ministers, only a small proportion of their programs were realized. Russia was not ready for freedom, and Alexander, a follower of the revolutionary La Harpe, considered himself a “happy accident” on the throne of the kings. He spoke with regret about "the state of barbarity in which the country was found due to the serfdom."

Family

The last years of the reign of Alexander I

Alexander I Pavlovich

Alexander claimed that under Paul “three thousand peasants were distributed like a bag of diamonds. If civilization were more developed, I would end serfdom, even if it cost me my head.” Addressing the issue of widespread corruption, he was left without people loyal to him, and filling government positions with Germans and other foreigners only led to greater resistance to his reforms from the “old Russians.” Thus, the reign of Alexander, begun with a great opportunity for improvement, ended with the heavier chains on the necks of the Russian people. This happened to a lesser extent due to the corruption and conservatism of Russian life and to a greater extent due to the personal qualities of the tsar. His love of freedom, despite its warmth, was not based in reality. He flattered himself, presenting himself to the world as a benefactor, but his theoretical liberalism was associated with an aristocratic willfulness that did not tolerate objections. “You always want to teach me! - he objected to Derzhavin, the Minister of Justice, “but I am the emperor and I want this and nothing else!” "He was ready to agree," wrote Prince Czartoryski, "that everyone could be free if they freely did what he wanted." Moreover, this patronizing temperament was combined with the habit of weak characters of seizing every opportunity to postpone the application of the principles which he publicly supported. Under Alexander I, Freemasonry became almost government organization, however, it was prohibited by a special imperial decree in 1822. At that time the largest Masonic lodge The Russian Empire, "Pont Euxine", was located in Odessa, which the emperor visited in 1820. The Emperor himself, before his passion for Orthodoxy, patronized the Freemasons and in his views was more of a republican than the radical liberals of Western Europe.

In the last years of the reign of Alexander I, A. A. Arakcheev acquired special influence in the country. A manifestation of conservatism in Alexander’s policy was the establishment of Military settlements (since 1815), as well as the destruction of the professorial staff of many universities.

Death

The emperor died on November 19, 1825 in Taganrog from fever with inflammation of the brain. A. Pushkin wrote the epitaph: “ He spent his whole life on the road, caught a cold and died in Taganrog».

The sudden death of the emperor gave rise to a lot of rumors among the people (N.K. Schilder, in his biography of the emperor, cites 51 opinions that arose within a few weeks after the death of Alexander). One of the rumors reported that " the sovereign fled in hiding to Kyiv and there he will live in Christ with his soul and begin to give advice that the current sovereign Nikolai Pavlovich needs for better governance of the state" Later, in the 30-40s of the 19th century, a legend appeared that Alexander, tormented by remorse (as an accomplice in the murder of his father), staged his death far from the capital and began a wandering, hermit life under the name of Elder Fyodor Kuzmich (died January 20 (February 1) 1864 in Tomsk).

Tomb of Alexander I in the Peter and Paul Cathedral

This legend appeared during the life of the Siberian elder and became widespread in the second half of the 19th century. In the 20th century, unreliable evidence appeared that during the opening of the tomb of Alexander I in the Peter and Paul Cathedral, carried out in 1921, it was discovered that it was empty. Also in the Russian emigrant press in the 1920s, a story by I. I. Balinsky appeared about the history of the opening of the tomb of Alexander I in 1864, which turned out to be empty. The body of a long-bearded old man was allegedly placed in it in the presence of Emperor Alexander II and the minister of the court Adalberg.

Beginning of Alexander's reign I

The short reign of Paul (1796-1801), oz- which was called arrests, exiles, increased censorship, and the introduction of cane discipline in the army, ended palace coup at night from 11 to 12 March 1801 A twenty-three-year-old took the throne Alexander I.

The first years of his reign - “the days of the Aleksandrovs were a wonderful beginning” - left the best our contemporaries' memories. Openednew universities, lyceums, gymnasiums,Measures were taken to alleviate the situation of the peasants. By decree "about free cultivators"(1803) By- the landowners could free the peasants at willyang with land for ransom. IN Secret committee (that was the name of Alexander’s narrow circle of friends) a proposal was born to prohibit the sale of creditsstian without land, but the highest dignitaries did notwere allowed to carry it out.

By the beginning of the XIX V. government management system society was in a state of crisis. Vve- given by Peter I collegial form of central control has exhausted itself. Status could be expressed in one word - according to Karamzin - “they steal.” Pavel also tried to fight embezzlement and bribery of officials, but his measures - arrests and exiles - did not help. Alexander began with rearrangements in the system: in1802 instead of collegiums, ministerial stva. This measure somewhat strengthened the centralmanagement, but the old vices have taken root andin new organs. Openly expose briberykov meant undermining the authority of the Senate. Requiredit was necessary to create new system th-state power, which would contributedevelopment of the country.

In 1807 he entered the Tsar's entourage , a man who could rightfullypretend to be a reformer. His "Introduced introduction into the code of state laws”, according to su- society, was a project of state transformationsdevelopments. Speransky based it on prin- principle of separation of powers- legislative, is- additional and judicial. All powers united in the State Council, whose members are appointed became king. The opinion of the Council, approved by itoperator, became law. No lawcould not come into effect without discussion in the Go-State Council and State Duma.And although the real legislative power remainswas in the hands of the emperor and the highest bureaucracy, the actions of the authorities were controlled by the public opinion - State Duma, all-Russian Siysk representative body.

According to Speransky’s project, all citizens who ownthose who owned land or capital, including state peasants, enjoyed electoralright; serfs enjoyed higher gra-civil rights, the main one of which is “no- who cannot be punished without a court order thief."

The project began in 1810, creating Denmark State Council, but further de- it didn’t go well - Alexander turned out to be a “republican” a leader in words and an autocrat in deeds.” TObesides, representatives of the highest nobility, non-satisfied with Speransky’s plans, which undermineserfdom, united against non- and achieved his arrest and exile in 1812 Nizhny Novgorod.

Since the end of the XVIII V. There were a series of wars in Europe: at first European states led by Angthey opposed the republican Fran- tion, and since 1804 a new french emperor Napoleon, former general Bonaparte led the fightboo for world domination. This was opposed European countries; V 1805 Russia concluded alliance with England and Austria against France.The war began, and in December of the same year, along withAustrian allies lost the Russian armysang defeat in decisive battle under Au- Sterlitz.

IN 1806 Turkey, under the influence of French diplomacy, closed the Bosphorus to Russia - beginning lassed Russian-Turkish war. Almost simultaneouslybut it started new war with Napoleon, in alliance with Prussia and England, again unsuccessful - after defeat at Friedland was concluded Teel Zita peace treaty. Napoleon forcedAlexandra join Continentalblockade, that is, to break off relations with England. On the-Paulon wanted to ruin the English economy in this way, but at the same time it suffered greatly closely related to it is Russian. In 1808 Napoleon he pushed Alexander to war with Sweden to her - she did not obey Napoleon. IN 1809 G. Russia won and acquired Finland, which became a separate principality in co-becoming the Russian Empire.

The continental blockade was extremely lowsuitable for Russia - after all, trade in I'm waiting for England and Russia to begin to implementwalking routes. Napoleonic strategists planned to crush Russia - this meant complete conquest of continental Europe and luredbright prospects for a trip to India. RelationshipRussia and France were getting worse...

Meanwhile, the war with Turkey continued.Alexander appointed M.I. Kutuzov as commander-in-chief in the south. Brilliant commander, Kutuzovinflicted several defeats on the enemy and - an extraordinary diplomat - achieved a peace treaty ra. The Russian-Turkish conflict was settled within a period of time.100 years before the start of the Patriotic War.

Reign of Alexander 1 (1801-1825)

By 1801, dissatisfaction with Paul 1 began to go off scale. Moreover, it was not ordinary citizens who were dissatisfied with him, but his sons, in particular Alexander, some generals and the elite. The reason for the dissatisfaction is the rejection of the policy of Catherine 2 and the deprivation of the nobility of a leading role and some privileges. The English ambassador supported them in this, since Paul 1 broke off all diplomatic relations with the British after their betrayal. On the night of March 11-12, 1801, the conspirators, under the leadership of General Palen, broke into Paul's chambers and killed him.

The Emperor's First Steps

The reign of Alexander 1 actually began on March 12, 1801, based on a coup carried out by the elite. In the early years, the emperor was a supporter of liberal reforms, as well as the idea of ​​the Republic. Therefore, from the first years of his reign he had to face difficulties. He had like-minded people who supported the views of liberal reforms, but the bulk of the nobility spoke from a position of conservatism, so two camps formed in Russia. Subsequently, the conservatives won, and Alexander himself, by the end of his reign, changed liberal views to conservative.

To implement the vision, Alexander created a “secret committee”, which included his associates. It was an unofficial body, but it was the one that dealt with initial projects refr.

Internal government of the country

Alexander's domestic policy differed little from that of his predecessors. He also believed that serfs should not have any rights. The discontent of the peasants was very strong, so Emperor Alexander 1 was forced to sign a decree banning the sale of serfs (this decree was easily dispensed with by the landowners) and in the year the decree “On Sculpted Plowmen” was signed. According to this decree, the landowner was allowed to provide freedom and land to the peasants if they could buy themselves out. This decree was more formal, since the peasants were poor and could not redeem themselves from the landowner. During the reign of Alexander 1, 0.5% of peasants throughout the country received 1 manumission.

The emperor changed the system of government of the country. He dissolved the collegiums that had been appointed by Peter the Great and organized ministries in their place. Each ministry was headed by a minister who reported directly to the emperor. During Alexander's reign, the Russian judicial system also underwent changes. The Senate was declared the highest judicial body. In 1810, Emperor Alexander 1 announced the creation of the State Council, which became supreme body governance of the country. System political system, which was proposed by Emperor Alexander 1, existed with minor changes until the very moment of the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917.

Population of Russia

During the reign of Alexander the First in Russia there were 3 large classes of inhabitants:

• Privileged. Nobles, clergy, merchants, honorary citizens.
• Semi-privileged. "Odnodvortsy" and Cossacks.
• Taxable. Bourgeois and peasants.

At the same time, the population of Russia increased and by the beginning of the reign of Alexander (early 19th century) it amounted to 40 million people. For comparison, at the beginning of the 18th century, the population of Russia was 15.5 million people.

Relations with other countries

Foreign policy Alexandra was not known for her prudence. The Emperor believed in the need for an alliance against Napoleon and as a result, in 1805 a campaign was launched against France, in alliance with England and Austria, and in 1806-1807. in alliance with England and Prussia. The British did not fight. These campaigns did not bring success, and in 1807 the Peace of Tilsit was signed. Napoleon did not demand any concessions from Russia; he sought an alliance with Alexander, but Emperor Alexander 1, loyal to the British, did not want to make a rapprochement. As a result, this peace became only a truce. And in June 1812, the Patriotic War began between Russia and France. Thanks to the genius of Kutuzov and the fact that the entire Russian people rose up against the invaders, already in 1812 the French were defeated and expelled from Russia. Fulfilling his allied duty, Emperor Alexander 1 gave the order to pursue Napoleon's troops. Foreign trip Russian army continued until 1814. Special success This campaign did not bring any results for Russia.

Emperor Alexander 1 lost his vigilance after the war. He had absolutely no control over foreign organizations, which began to supply Russian revolutionaries with money in large quantities. As a result, a boom began in the country revolutionary movements aimed at overthrowing the emperor. All this resulted in the Decembrist uprising on December 14, 1825. The uprising was subsequently suppressed, but a dangerous precedent was created in the country, and most of the participants in the uprising fled from justice.

results

The reign of Alexander 1 was not glorious for Russia. The Emperor bowed to England and did almost everything he was asked to do in London. He got involved in the anti-French coalition, pursuing the interests of the British; Napoleon at that time did not think about a campaign against Russia. The result of this policy was terrible: the devastating war of 1812 and the powerful uprising of 1825.

Emperor Alexander 1 died in 1825, losing the throne to his brother, Nicholas 1.