ALEXANDER III., ALEXANDROVITCII (1S45 94). Emperor of Russia from 1881 to 1894. He was born March 10. 1845, and he succeeded his father, March 13, 1881, but was not crowned un til May 27, 1553, after the panic caused by the assassination of Alexander IL had somewhat subsided. Alexander at first expressed his in tention of following out the constitutional re forms of Loris Stelikoff, but lie fell under the in fluence of the leaders of the old Russian Na tionalist party, Katkoff, Pobiedonostseff, and Ig natieff, and restored the autocratic system of Nicholas so far as internal affairs were con cerned. He pursued a stern policy of repression with regard to the political agitation which had caused the violent death of his father. The Ter rorists were practically suppressed. a rigid cen sorship was reestablished, education was restrict ed, and dissenting religions were persecuted. Among the sects that were persecuted were the Jews; and as a result of the persecution great numbers of them emigrated from the country, chiefly to the United States and South Africa. The policy of the Russification of the non Russian provinces, begun by Nicholas 1. and dis continued for a time by Alexander II.. was re sumed with new vigor. The finances of the Em pire were well managed. The revenue was largely increased, and a protective tariff was used as a part of the system to strengthen Russian nationality.
In his foreign policy Alexander did not follow the example of Nicholas. His influence was di rected toward the preservation of peace. Russia
and France were drawn into closer and closer connection in opposition to the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria, and Italy. Alexander con tinued the policy of interference in the affairs of the Balkan States, especially Bulgaria, bitterly resenting that spirit of nationalism which his father had regarded as ingratitude toward Rus sia. Ile endeavored, not very successfully, to counteract Austrian influence among the Balkan peoples. In Asia he continued to round out the frontier and strengthen Russia's hold on its provinces. Several attempts were made to assas sinate him, but they lacked the completeness of preparation and the venomous persistence which had pursued his father. Alexander married Dagmar (re-baptized into the Greek Church as Maria Feodorovna), daughter of Christian IX. of Denmark, November 9, 1863. He died Novem ber 1, 1894. He was succeeded by his son, Nich olas II.
Consult: Andrews, Historical Derelopment of Modern Europe, Volume II. (New York, 1898) ; Seignobos, Political History of Modern Europe (New York, 1900) ; Samson - Himmelstierna, Russland linter Alexander III. »lit Thick()licken oaf die jiingstc Vergangenheit (Leipzig, 1891), translated by Morrison, Russia under Alexander HI. and in the Preceding Period (New York, 1893) ; Lowe, C., Alexander III. of Russia (Lon don, 1895). This reign has claimed very little special attention from historians.