Alexander III of Russia

Reign: 1881 – 1894
Life: 1845–1894

He was highly reactionary in domestic affairs and reversed some of the liberal reforms of his father, Alexander II, a policy of "counter-reforms" (Russian: контрреформы). During his reign, Russia fought no major wars, while finalizing anexation of recently occupied territories, such as around 2 million square kilometers in Asia, and organizing colonial power there, and he came to be known as The Peacemaker (Russian: Царь-Миротворец, romanized: Tsar’-Mirotvorets Russian pronunciation:), a laudatory title enduring into 21st century historiography. His major foreign policy achievement was the Franco-Russian Alliance, a major shift in international relations that eventually embroiled Russia in World War I. His political legacy represented a direct challenge to the European cultural order set forth by German statesman Otto von Bismarck, intermingling Russian influences with the shifting balances of power.

During Alexander III of Russia's reign, Franz Joseph I of Austria ruled Austria, Emperor Meiji ruled Japan, and William III of the Netherlands ruled Netherlands.

Want to learn more? Further reading

The Romanovs: 1613–1918 by Simon Sebag Montefiore

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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The Romanovs: 1613–1918

Simon Sebag Montefiore

Covers Alexander III's reactionary reign between the reform era and Nicholas II's tragedy.

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