Biography of Alexander II

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Alexander II was the oldest son of his father Emperor Nicholas I. Alexander II was born in Moscow, Russia on April 29, 1818 and died on March 13, 1881. From a young age, Alexander was being prepared for when he becomes emperor. Alexander had a private teacher by the name of Vasili Zhukovski, a famous Russian poet. Alexander learned how to speak four new languages other than Russian. Alexander gained a lot of knowledge through a broad and thorough education; he also worked in rigorous military training which permanently damaged his health. At the age of nineteen, was ready to finish school, but he had to do one more thing before that which was to tour Russia and Europe. Alexander went to Siberia, which was in northern Russia, a place that no one part of the royal family has ever been. During his travels Alexander met his future wife, Princess Marie of Hesse, they got married soon after that and had eight children. Throughout his younger days, Alexander had a variety of military and government jobs, unlike his father. During the time Nicholas was absent, Alexander was given the duties of the Russian emperor, or czar.
Alexander II ascended the throne after the death of his father. Alexander got the throne in the middle of the Crimean War, where there was a military conflict for Russia. Soon after, Alexander signed the Treaty of Paris which brought the war to an end. This war made Alexander realize that Russia was no longer a great military power. Some said that Russia’s serf based economy could no longer compete with industrialized nations such as Britain and France. Alexander was debating on whether he should bring an end to serfdom in Russia, or not. Alexander said “It is better to abolish serfdom from above than to ...

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... by making them pay more than the lands worth they are still losing valuable land they could use more productively.
The country’s feeling about Alexander II after his reign would be a mix of happiness and sorrow. Some would be happy that they don’t have to deal with Alexander II anymore, while others will be sad that their emperor died. Alexander II could’ve been a better emperor to his citizens if he listened to their advice rather than doing what he desires (Divine Right).

Works Cited

1. http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/the-romanov-dynasty/alexander-ii-liberator/
2. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/14059/Alexander-II
3. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSalexander2.htm
4. http://www.dromo.info/alexanderiibio.htm
5. http://www.notablebiographies.com/A-An/Alexander-II.html
6. http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/AlexIIbio.html

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