Succession
Succeeds as Grand Prince of Vladimir
Role range: 1326-1327
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Alexander II Biography and Timeline
Follow Alexander II through 126 dated historical records for Russia.
Alexander II, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
126Distinct records
1 of 4Page
1326–1863Years on this page
1326
1327
Abdication
Abdication of Alexander II
Role range: 1326-1327
1855
Accession
Becomes Tsar after the death of Nicholas I during the Crimean War.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Succession
Succeeds as Tsar of Russia.
Role range: 1855-1881
1856
Treaty of Paris
The "Four Points" plan is largely adhered to, most notably Russia's special privileges relating to the Danubian Principalities are transferred to the Great Powers.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Treaty of Paris
The Tsar and the Sultan agree not to establish any naval or military arsenal on the coast of the Black Sea. The Treaty of Paris stands until 1871, when France is crushed by Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Treaty of Paris
Warships of all nations are perpetually excluded from the Black Sea, once the home to the Russian fleet (which had been destroyed in the course of the war). Treaty settlement of the Congress of Paris.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Bessarabia Cession
Cedes territory near the mouth of the Danube.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Black Sea Neutralisation
Accepts neutralisation of the Black Sea under the peace settlement.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Emancipation Speech
Tells Moscow nobles that it is better to abolish serfdom from above than wait for it to end through revolt.
Role range: 1855-1881
Coronation
Is crowned Emperor of Russia in Moscow after succeeding Nicholas I.
Role range: 1855-1881
Congress of Paris
Accepts Black Sea neutralisation and international arrangements for navigation of the Danube.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Congress of Paris
Accepts territorial concessions near the Danube and the return of Kars to the Ottoman Empire under the Paris settlement.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Neutrality
The rights of neutrals in the Danube during time of war are defined.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Rule of Danube
The Danube is controlled by the great powers and an international commission.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Rule of Kars
At the Congress of Paris Russia cedes Kars to Turkey.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
Peace Decision
Accepts the need for peace after military reverses, economic strain and the threat of Austrian intervention.
Role range: 1853-1856 – 1855-1881
1857
Secret Committee on Peasant Affairs
Appoints a secret committee to examine proposals for reforming serfdom.
Role range: 1855-1881
1858
Main Committee on Peasant Affairs
Reorganises the central machinery supervising preparation of the emancipation settlement.
Role range: 1855-1881
Provincial Emancipation Committees
Authorises provincial noble committees to prepare proposals concerning the emancipation of the serfs.
Role range: 1855-1881
Treaty of Aigun
Approves the settlement with Qing China that greatly expands Russian territory along the Amur River.
Role range: 1855-1881
1859
Editing Commissions
Supports the editing commissions that turn provincial emancipation proposals into draft legislation.
Role range: 1855-1881
Surrender of Imam Shamil
Russian forces capture Imam Shamil, breaking organised resistance in the eastern Caucasus.
Role range: 1817-1864 – 1855-1881
1860
Convention of Peking
Russia gains territory east of the Ussuri River through the Convention of Peking with Qing China.
Role range: 1855-1881
State Bank
Establishes the State Bank of the Russian Empire as part of wider financial modernisation.
Role range: 1855-1881
Birth of Paul Alexandrovich
His youngest son, Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich, is born.
Role range: 1855-1881
1861
Peasant Civil Rights
The emancipation settlement grants former serfs legal rights to marry, own property, trade, and use the courts.
Role range: 1855-1881
Redemption Payments
The emancipation settlement introduces long-term redemption payments for many peasant land allotments.
Role range: 1855-1881
Reform of Taxation
The emancipation settlement requires many peasants to make long-term redemption payments for land allotments.
Role range: 1855-1881
Serfdom
Issues the Emancipation Manifesto abolishing the legal institution of serfdom for privately owned peasants.
Role range: 1855-1881
Rebellion of Rebels in Poland
Russian authorities use martial law and military force against the January Uprising in Poland.
Role range: 1863-1864
1862
Publication of State Budget
Authorises publication of the state budget, increasing transparency in imperial finances.
Role range: 1855-1881
Treasury Reform
Centralises state finances through treasury reforms designed to improve control of public revenue and expenditure.
Role range: 1855-1881
1863
Diet of Finland
Reconvenes the Finnish Diet after a long interruption, restoring a measure of constitutional activity in Finland.
Role range: 1855-1881
Emancipation of Appanage Peasants
Extends personal freedom to peasants living on lands belonging to the imperial family.
Role range: 1855-1881
Military Corporal Punishment Reform
Approves the abolition of many degrading corporal punishments in the Russian military.
Role range: 1855-1881
University Statute
Approves a university statute restoring substantial academic and administrative autonomy to universities.
Role range: 1855-1881
Rebellion of Rebels in Warsaw
Russian authorities suppress the insurgent administration centred on Warsaw during the January Uprising.
Role range: 1863-1864
Rebellion of suppress the January
Russian forces suppress the January Uprising, and many participants are imprisoned, executed, or exiled.
Role range: 1863-1864
Constitution of Russia
A clandestine Polish National Government directs the January Uprising against Russian rule.
Role range: 1855-1881
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.