Alexander III Biography

Succeeds as Grand Prince of Vladimir

Begins assuming broader state and dynastic responsibilities after becoming heir to the throne.

Becomes heir apparrent on the death of his elder brother Nikolay

Welcomes Princess Dagmar of Denmark into the Russian Orthodox Church before their marriage.

Marries Dagmar, daughter of Christian IX of Denmark & sister of Queen Alexandra

His eldest surviving son Nicholas, the future Nicholas II, is born.

His second son Alexander Alexandrovich is born but dies in infancy the following year.

His son George Alexandrovich is born and later becomes second in line to the throne.

His daughter Xenia Alexandrovna is born into the imperial family.

Commands Russian forces during the Russo-Turkish War and gains direct experience of military administration.

His son Michael Alexandrovich is born and later becomes a prominent member of the imperial family.

Views the diplomatic reduction of Russian gains after the Russo-Turkish War with deep dissatisfaction.

Relies increasingly on Konstantin Pobedonostsev, whose conservative views reinforce his commitment to autocracy.

Makes redemption of former serf land allotments compulsory while reducing the payments owed by peasants.

Approves emergency regulations giving officials expanded powers of arrest, censorship and administrative control.

Refuses clemency for leading conspirators convicted of participating in the assassination of Alexander II.

Rejects plans associated with Loris-Melikov for a limited national consultative body.

Moves the imperial household to Gatchina, where security can be maintained more tightly after his father's assassination.

Succeeds as Tsar of Russia, Succeeds his father Alexander II

"..the voice of God commands us to stand bravely at the helm of the state"

His youngest daughter Olga Alexandrovna is born into the imperial family.

His government introduces the May Laws restricting Jewish residence and economic activity within the empire.

Supports establishment of the Peasant Land Bank to help peasants purchase land.

Introduces temporary press regulations that strengthen administrative censorship and permit authorities to suppress publications.

Continues strengthening central authority and limiting political liberalisation after his coronation.

Crowned Tsar of Russia

Expands policies intended to strengthen Russian language, administration and Orthodox influence across the empire.

Approves a new university statute that reduces institutional autonomy and increases government supervision of higher education.

Supports creation of the Nobles Land Bank to provide credit to landed nobles.

Avoids war with Britain while Russia and Britain negotiate after the Panjdeh confrontation in Central Asia.

His government tightens restrictions affecting access to secondary and higher education for Jewish students.

Police uncover a student plot to assassinate him before the conspirators can carry out their planned attack.

Allows the execution of convicted assassination conspirators, including Alexander Ulyanov, elder brother of Vladimir Lenin.

Faces worsening financial relations with Germany as restrictions on Russian securities encourage closer economic ties with France.

The imperial family's survival of the Borki disaster is publicly celebrated throughout the empire.

Accepts growing French financial investment, helping Russia reduce its dependence on German capital.

Survives the derailment of the imperial train near Borki with his immediate family.

Creates land captains with extensive administrative and judicial authority over peasant communities.

Supports increasing state involvement in railway construction and administration as part of economic development.

Russia's Reinsurance Treaty with Germany lapses, encouraging Alexander to consider closer relations with France.

Approves legislation increasing noble and government influence over provincial zemstvo institutions.

The government restricts grain exports as the scale of the famine becomes increasingly serious.

His government confronts a severe famine affecting large areas of the Russian Empire.

Issues an imperial rescript announcing the government's intention to construct a railway across Siberia.

Decrees the expulsion of Jews from Moscow

Authorises Tsarevich Nicholas to inaugurate construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway at Vladivostok.

Personally receives visiting French naval officers during the celebrated French squadron visit to Kronstadt.

Approves a political understanding under which Russia and France agree to consult when either faces a threat of war.

Appoints Sergei Witte as finance minister, strengthening the government's emphasis on industrial and railway development.

Approves municipal legislation that narrows the electorate and increases government control over town administration.

Permits Russian and French military representatives to conclude a defensive military convention.

A military convention is agreed with France which becomes a formal defensive alliance

A military convention is agreed with France which becomes a formal defensive alliance

Supports the Russian naval visit to Toulon that publicly demonstrates the growing rapprochement with France.

Ratifies the military convention with France, advancing the defensive alliance between the two powers.

Develops worsening symptoms that doctors eventually diagnose as kidney disease.

The exchange of diplomatic approval formally establishes the Franco-Russian alliance.

Approves the engagement of his heir Nicholas to Princess Alix of Hesse.

Dies at Livadia in Crimea after thirteen years as emperor, leaving the throne to Nicholas II.

Afghanistans northern border was fixed and guaranteed by Russia

Afghanistans northern border was fixed and guaranteed by Russia

Russia discloses a plan to seize Constantinople if Britain intervenes in Crete