Personal life of Nicholas 1. Height in cm of the leaders of the USSR and Russia. political giants and dwarfs

Now about his two other sons - Konstantin and Nikolai and their two branches - "Konstantinovichi" and "Nikolaevich". Both had two marriages, like their brother Emperor Alexander II, but both Constantine and Nicholas had their second marriages to ballerinas.

Nikolai Nikolaevich (1831-1891) and Konstantin Nikolaevich (1827-1892)

Moreover, Nikolai did not register his second marriage, but cohabited without divorcing his first wife, who, by the way, became a saint. More on this later, but now a little about the three daughters of Nicholas I - Olga, Maria, Alexandra.

Olga Nikolaevna (1822-1892) Maria Nikolaevna (1819-1876) Alexandra Nikolaevna (1825-1844)

Maria Nikolaevna (August 18, 1819 - February 21, 1876) - the first mistress of the Mariinsky Palace in St. Petersburg, president of the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1852-1876. She was the eldest daughter and second child in the family of Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich and Grand Duchess Alexandra Fedorovna. Unlike many princesses of that time, whose marriages were concluded for dynastic reasons, Maria Nikolaevna married for love. Married: Duchess of Leuchtenberg. Despite Maximilian's origins and his religion (he was a Catholic), Nicholas I agreed to marry his daughter with him, provided that the couple would live in Russia and not abroad.

The wedding took place on July 2, 1839 and took place according to two rites: Orthodox and Catholic. By decree of July 2 (14), 1839, the emperor granted Maximilian the title of His Imperial Highness, and by decree of December 6 (18), 1852, he bestowed the title and surname of the Romanovsky princes on the descendants of Maximilian and Maria Nikolaevna. The children of Maximilian and Maria Nikolaevna were baptized into Orthodoxy and raised at the court of Nicholas I; later Emperor Alexander II included them in the Russian Imperial family. From this marriage, Maria Nikolaevna had 7 children: Alexandra, Maria, Nikolay, Evgenia, Evgeny, Sergey, Georgy.

Of these, daughter Evgenia gave birth to her only child - Peter of Oldenburg. The same one with whom Nicholas II’s sister Olga lived in an unhappy marriage for 7 years. Another daughter Maria , married the elder brother of Grand Duchess Olga Fedorovna, about whom I already wrote. But the daughter of Maria Nikolaevna - Alexandra died in infancy. Granddaughter of Maria Nikolaevna from her son, whose name is Evgeniy , was shot by the Bolsheviks. Georgiy - the only one of the brothers entered into a dynastic marriage, but his two sons did not leave offspring, so the family died out.

Son of Maria Nikolaevna Nikolai in 1868 in Bavaria entered into morganatic marriage with Nadezhda Sergeevna Annenkova, in her first marriage - Akinfova (1840-1891), which caused the displeasure of the emperor. The Duke of Leuchtenberg was forced to leave Russia. This union was recognized as legal only 11 years later, and Nadezhda Sergeevna, by decree of Emperor Alexander II, received the title of Countess of Beauharnais in 1879. They had two children - Georgiy And Nikolai.
Sergey, son of Maria Nikolaevna, was not married and left no offspring. Sergei Maximilianovich was killed with a bullet wound to the head. Prince Romanovsky became the first member of the Russian Imperial House to die in the war. He is buried in the Grand Duke's tomb in the Peter and Paul Cathedral. A chapel was built in his memory in the name of St. Sergius Radonezh in the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Lesnoy.

Maria Nikolaevna's first husband, Maximilian, died at the age of 35, and she married again in 1853 to Count Grigory Alexandrovich Stroganov (1823-1878). The wedding was performed on November 13 (25), 1853 in the palace church of the Mariinsky Palace by the priest of the Trinity Church of the Gostilitsky estate of Tatiana Borisovna Potemkina, Ioann Stefanov. This marriage was morganatic, concluded in secret from Maria Nikolaevna's father, Emperor Nicholas I, with the assistance of the heir and his wife. From this marriage Maria has two more children - Gregory And Elena.

Olga Nikolaevna, the second daughter of Nicholas I was born in the Anichkov Palace on August 30 (September 11), 1822 and was the third child in the family of Emperor Nicholas I and Alexandra Feodorovna. On her mother's side, Princess Olga came from Prussian royal house Hohenzollern. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were the kings of Prussia, Frederick William II and Frederick William III. Attractive, educated, multilingual, and interested in playing the piano and painting, Olga was regarded as one of the best brides in Europe. After the wedding of her sister Maria, who married a prince below her in rank, Olga Nikolaevna’s parents wanted to find her a promising husband. But time passed, and in life Grand Duchess For Olga, nothing has changed. Those close to me were perplexed: “How, at nineteen years old, still not married?” And at the same time there were many contenders for her hand. Back in 1838, while staying with her parents in Berlin, the sixteen-year-old princess attracted the attention of Crown Prince Maximilian of Bavaria. But neither she nor her family liked him. A year later, Archduke Stefan took possession of her thoughts. He was the son of Palatine Joseph of Hungary (the wife of the deceased Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna) from his second marriage. But this union was prevented by Stefan’s stepmother, who did not want to have a Russian princess as a relative out of jealousy towards the first wife of Archduke Joseph. By 1840, Olga decided that she would not rush into marriage; she said that she was already well, she was happy to stay at home. Emperor Nicholas I declared that she was free and could choose whoever she wanted. Olga Nikolaevna's aunt, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna (wife of Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich) began making efforts to marry her off to her brother Prince Frederick of Württemberg. He was sent a refusal. But I had to wait a long time for an answer to the counter-proposal of marriage with Stefan. The letter from Vienna said that the marriage of Stefan and Olga Nikolaevna, who professed different faiths, seemed unacceptable for Austria. An archduchess of Russian origin could become dangerous for the state due to the fact that unrest could arise among the Slavic population of the “explosive” regions of Austria. Stefan himself said that knowing about Albrecht’s feelings, he considered it right to “step aside.” This uncertainty had a depressing effect not only on Olga, but also on her parents. She has already begun to be considered a cold nature. The parents began to look for another match for their daughter and settled on Duke Adolphus of Nassau. And this almost led to a break with Mikhail Pavlovich’s wife, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna. She had long dreamed of marrying her youngest daughter Elizabeth to him. Nicholas I, caring about maintaining peace in the imperial house, decided that the prince was free to make his own choice between his cousins. But Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, who had not forgiven her niece for neglecting her brother, was now worried that Adolf would give preference to the royal daughter to the detriment of her Lily. But Adolf, who came to Russia with his brother Maurice, asked for the hand of Elizaveta Mikhailovna. The emperor had nothing against it, but was surprised. At the beginning of 1846, in Palermo, where Olga was accompanied by her mother, the Empress, who had been there for some time to improve her health, which had deteriorated sharply after the death of her youngest daughter Alexandra, she met the Crown Prince of Württemberg, Charles, and agreed to his marriage proposal. The wedding took place in Peterhof on July 1 (13), 1846, on Alexandra Feodorovna’s birthday and on the day of her wedding to Nikolai Pavlovich. It was believed that this number should bring happiness to the new couple. Bells rang all day long, even houses in St. Petersburg were decorated with illumination. The emperor wished his daughter: “Be to Karl what your mother has been to me all these years.” Family life Olga's life turned out quite well, but they had no children.

Alexandra Nikolaevna (June 24, 1825 - August 10, 1844), the youngest daughter of Nicholas I, was famous for her beauty and easy-going character, and was distinguished by her amazing kindness and musical character. She died of tuberculosis at the age of 19, leaving her husband, Friedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Hesse-Kassel (1820 - 1884), a widower. She didn't give birth to children. Therefore, Frederick married a second time to the Prussian Princess Anna.

NIkolay Nikolaevich the Elder (1831-1891) - Russian military and statesman; third son of Emperor Nicholas I and Alexandra Feodorovna; Field Marshal General (April 16, 1878). He was called Elder from November 24, 1856, according to the Highest command - to distinguish him from his firstborn son, who was born then, and named by the same name; also had a court nickname - Uncle Nizi. Member of the State Council (1855) and honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. In his youth, judging by his diary entries, he was in love with Maria Anna of Prussia, but the marriage did not take place due to close kinship. There is also a version that Maria Alexandrovna Pushkina (Hartung) was in love with Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, perhaps they had a secret affair, which is why she did not get married for so long. In 1856, in St. Petersburg, he married Alexandra Friederike Wilhelmina, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Oldenburg Konstantin Friedrich Peter (in Orthodoxy Alexandra Petrovna).
Children:
Nikolai (1856—1929);
Peter (1864—1931).

After 10 years, the marriage de facto broke up; Nikolai Nikolaevich publicly accused his wife of adultery with the rector of their palace church and the confessor of the Grand Duchess, Archpriest Vasily Lebedev. Nikolai Nikolaevich expelled Alexandra Petrovna from the Nikolaevsky Palace, taking away jewelry, including his own gifts. Emperor Alexander II took the side of the Grand Duke, however, taking all the costs of maintaining his exiled daughter-in-law at his own expense. She never returned to St. Petersburg and ended her days in the Kiev Pokrovsky Monastery, which she founded. Canonized as a Venerable UOC.

The reign of Nicholas 1 lasted from December 14, 1825 to February 1855. This emperor has an amazing fate, but it is noteworthy that the beginning and end of his reign are characterized by important political events in the country. Thus, Nicholas’s rise to power was marked by the Decembrist uprising, and the death of the emperor occurred during the days of the defense of Sevastopol.

Beginning of reign

Speaking about the personality of Nicholas 1, it is important to understand that initially no one prepared this man for the role of Emperor of Russia. This was the third son of Paul 1 (Alexander - the eldest, Konstantin - the middle and Nikolai - the youngest). Alexander the First died on December 1, 1825, leaving no heir. Therefore, according to the laws of that time, power came to the middle son of Paul 1 - Constantine. And on December 1, the Russian government swore allegiance to him. Nicholas himself also took the oath of allegiance. The problem was that Constantine was married to a woman of no noble family, lived in Poland and did not aspire to the throne. Therefore, he transferred authority to manage to Nicholas the First. Nevertheless, 2 weeks passed between these events, during which Russia was virtually without power.

It is necessary to note the main features of the reign of Nicholas 1, which were characteristic of his character traits:

• Military education. It is known that Nikolai poorly mastered any science except military science. His teachers were military men and almost everyone around him were former military personnel. It is in this that one must look for the origins of what Nicholas 1 said, “In Russia, everyone must serve,” as well as his love for the uniform, which he forced everyone, without exception, in the country to wear.
• Decembrist uprising. The first day of power of the new emperor was marked by a major uprising. This showed the main threat that liberal ideas posed to Russia. Therefore, the main task of his reign was precisely the fight against the revolution.
• Lack of communication with Western countries. If we consider the history of Russia, starting from the era of Peter the Great, then foreign languages ​​were always spoken at court: Dutch, English, French, German. Nicholas 1 stopped this. Now all conversations were conducted exclusively in Russian, people wore traditional Russian clothes, and traditional Russian values ​​and traditions were promoted.

Many history textbooks say that the Nicholas era was characterized by reactionary rule. Nevertheless, governing the country in those conditions was very difficult, since all of Europe was literally mired in revolutions, the focus of which could shift towards Russia. And this had to be fought. Second important point- the need to resolve the peasant issue, where the emperor himself advocated the abolition of serfdom.

Changes within the country

Nicholas 1 was a military man, so his reign was associated with attempts to transfer army orders and customs to daily life and governance of the country.

There is clear order and subordination in the army. The laws apply here and there are no contradictions. Everything here is clear and understandable: some command, others obey. And all this to achieve a single goal. This is why I feel so comfortable among these people.

Nicholas the First

This phrase best emphasizes what the emperor saw in order. And it was precisely this order that he sought to introduce into all government bodies. First of all, in the Nicholas era there was a strengthening of police and bureaucratic power. According to the emperor, this was necessary to fight the revolution.

On July 3, 1826, the III Department was created, which performed the functions of the highest police. In fact, this body kept order in the country. This fact is interesting because it significantly expands the powers of ordinary police officers, giving them almost unlimited power. The third department consisted of about 6,000 people, which was a huge number at that time. They studied the public mood, observed foreign citizens and organizations in Russia, collected statistics, checked all private letters, and so on. During the second stage of the emperor's reign, Section 3 further expanded its powers by creating a network of agents to work abroad.

Systematization of laws

Even in the era of Alexander, attempts to systematize laws began in Russia. This was extremely necessary since there were laws huge amount, many of them contradicted each other, many were only in a handwritten version in the archive, and the laws had been in force since 1649. Therefore, before the Nicholas era, judges were no longer guided by the letter of the law, but rather general procedures and worldview. To solve this problem, Nicholas 1 decided to turn to Speransky, who was given the authority to systematize the laws of the Russian Empire.

Speransky proposed carrying out all the work in three stages:

1. Collect in chronological order all laws issued from 1649 until the end of the reign of Alexander 1.
2. Publish a set of laws currently in force in the empire. This is not about changes in laws, but about considering which of the old laws can be repealed and which cannot.
3. Creation of a new “Code”, which was supposed to make changes to current legislation according to the current needs of the state.

Nicholas 1 was a terrible opponent of innovation (the only exception was the army). Therefore, he allowed the first two stages to take place and categorically prohibited the third.

The work of the commission began in 1828, and in 1832 the 15-volume Code of Laws of the Russian Empire was published. It was the codification of laws during the reign of Nicholas 1st that played a huge role in the formation of Russian absolutism. In fact, the country has not changed radically, but has received real structures for quality management.

Policy regarding education and enlightenment

Nicholas believed that the events of December 14, 1825 were connected with the educational system that was built under Alexander. Therefore, one of the first orders of the emperor in his post happened on August 18, 1827, in which Nicholas demanded that the charters of all educational institutions in the country be revised. As a result of this revision, entering higher education educational institutions any peasants were prohibited, philosophy as a science was abolished, and supervision of private educational institutions was strengthened. This work was supervised by Shishkov, who holds the position of minister. public education. Nicholas 1 absolutely trusted this man, since their basic views converged. At the same time, it is enough to consider just one phrase from Shishkov to understand what the essence was behind the education system of that time.

Sciences are like salt. They are useful and can only be enjoyed if given in moderation. People should be taught only the kind of literacy that corresponds to their position in society. Education of all people without exception will bring, without a doubt, more harm than good.

A.S. Shishkov

The result of this stage of government is the creation of 3 types of educational institutions:

1. For the lower classes, single-class education was introduced, based on parish schools. People were taught only 4 operations of arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), reading, writing, and the laws of God.
2. For the middle classes (merchants, townspeople, and so on) three-year education. Additional subjects included geometry, geography and history.
3. For the upper classes, seven-year education was introduced, the receipt of which guaranteed the right to enter universities.

The solution to the peasant question

Nicholas 1 often said that the main task of his reign was the abolition of serfdom. However, directly decide this problem he couldn't. It is important to understand here that the emperor was faced with his own elite, who were categorically against this. The issue of the abolition of serfdom was extremely complex and extremely acute. Just look at peasant uprisings 19th century, to understand that they occurred literally every decade, and their strength increased each time. Here, for example, is what the head of the third department said.

Serfdom is a powder charge under the building of the Russian Empire.

OH. Benckendorf

Nicholas the First himself also understood the significance of this problem.

It is better to start changes on your own, gradually, carefully. We need to start at least with something, because otherwise, we will wait for changes to come from the people themselves.

Nikolay 1

A secret committee was created to solve peasant problems. In total, in the Nicholas era, 9 secret committees met on this issue. The greatest changes affected exclusively the state peasants, and these changes were superficial and insignificant. Main problem It was not decided to give peasants their own land and the right to work for themselves. In total, during the reign and work of 9 secret committees, the following problems of the peasants were resolved:

• Peasants were forbidden to sell
• It was forbidden to separate families
• Peasants were allowed to buy real estate
• It was forbidden to send old people to Siberia

In total, during the reign of Nicholas 1, about 100 decrees were adopted that related to the solution of the peasant issue. It is here that one must look for the basis that led to the events of 1861 and the abolition of serfdom.

Relations with other countries

Emperor Nicholas 1 sacredly honored the “Holy Alliance,” an agreement signed by Alexander 1 on Russian assistance to countries where uprisings began. Russia was the European gendarme. In essence, the implementation of the “Holy Alliance” did not give Russia anything. The Russians solved the problems of the Europeans and returned home with nothing. In July 1830, the Russian army was preparing to march to France, where the revolution took place, but events in Poland disrupted this campaign. A major uprising broke out in Poland, led by Czartoryski. Nicholas 1 appointed Count Paskevich as commander of the army for the campaign against Poland, who defeated the Polish troops in September 1831. The uprising was suppressed, and the autonomy of Poland itself became almost formal.

In the period from 1826 – 1828. During the reign of Nicholas I, Russia was drawn into a war with Iran. Her reasons were that Iran was dissatisfied with the peace of 1813 when they lost part of their territory. Therefore, Iran decided to take advantage of the uprising in Russia to regain what it had lost. The war began suddenly for Russia, however, by the end of 1826, Russian troops completely expelled the Iranians from their territory, and in 1827 the Russian army went on the offensive. Iran was defeated, the existence of the country was under threat. The Russian army cleared its way to Tehran. In 1828, Iran offered peace. Russia received the khanates of Nakhichevan and Yerevan. Iran also pledged to pay Russia 20 million rubles. The war was successful for Russia; access to the Caspian Sea was won.

As soon as the war with Iran ended, the war with Turkey began. The Ottoman Empire, like Iran, wanted to take advantage of the visible weakness of Russia and regain some of the previously lost lands. As a result, the Russian-Turkish War began in 1828. It lasted until September 2, 1829, when the Treaty of Adrianople was signed. The Turks suffered a brutal defeat that cost them their position in the Balkans. In fact, with this war, Emperor Nicholas 1 achieved diplomatic submission to the Ottoman Empire.

In 1849, Europe was in revolutionary flames. Emperor Nicholas 1, fulfilling the allied dog, in 1849 sent an army to Hungary, where within a few weeks the Russian army unconditionally defeated the revolutionary forces of Hungary and Austria.

Emperor Nicholas 1 paid great attention to the fight against revolutionaries, keeping in mind the events of 1825. For this purpose, he created a special office, which was subordinate only to the emperor and conducted only activities against revolutionaries. Despite all the efforts of the emperor, revolutionary circles in Russia were actively developing.

The reign of Nicholas 1 ended in 1855, when Russia was drawn into new war, Crimean, which ended sadly for our state. This war ended after the death of Nicholas, when the country was ruled by his son, Alexander 2.

Since childhood, the boy enthusiastically played war games. At the age of six months he received the rank of colonel, and at three years old the baby was given the uniform of the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment, since the child’s future was predetermined from birth. According to tradition, the Grand Duke, who was not a direct heir to the throne, was prepared for military career.

Family of Nicholas I: parents, brothers and sisters

Until the age of four, the upbringing of Nicholas was entrusted to the court maid of honor Charlotte Karlovna von Lieven; after the death of his father, Paul I, the responsible responsibility was transferred to General Lamzdorf. The home education of Nikolai and his younger brother Mikhail consisted of studying economics, history, geography, law, engineering and fortifications. Much attention was paid to foreign languages: French, German and Latin.

If lectures and classes in the humanities were difficult for Nikolai, then everything related to military affairs and engineering attracted his attention. The future emperor mastered playing the flute in his youth and took drawing lessons. Acquaintance with art allowed Nikolai Pavlovich to subsequently become known as a connoisseur of opera and ballet.

Since 1817, the Grand Duke was in charge of the engineering unit of the Russian army. Under his leadership, educational institutions were created in companies and battalions. In 1819, Nikolai contributed to the opening of the Main Engineering School and the School of Guards Ensigns. In the army, the younger brother of Emperor Alexander I was disliked for such character traits as excessive pedantry, pickiness about details and dryness. The Grand Duke was a person determined to indisputably obey the laws, but at the same time he could flare up for no reason.

In 1820, a conversation between Alexander’s elder brother and Nicholas took place, during which the current emperor announced that the heir to the throne, Constantine, had abandoned his obligations, and the right to reign had passed to Nicholas. young man The news was striking: neither morally nor intellectually Nikolai was ready for the possible management of Russia.

Despite the protests, Alexander in the Manifesto indicated Nicholas as his successor and ordered that the papers be opened only after his death. After this, for six years, the life of the Grand Duke was outwardly no different from before: Nicholas was engaged in military service and supervised educational military institutions.

Reign and uprising of the Decembrists

On December 1 (November 19, O.S.), 1825, Alexander I suddenly died. The emperor was at that moment far from the capital of Russia, so the royal court received the sad news a week later. Because of his own doubts, Nicholas initiated the oath of allegiance to Constantine I among the courtiers and military men. But at the State Council the Tsar's Manifesto was published, designating Nikolai Pavlovich as the heir.

The Grand Duke remained adamant in his decision not to assume such a responsible position and persuaded the Council, Senate and Synod to swear allegiance to his elder brother. But Konstantin, who was in Poland, had no intention of coming to St. Petersburg. 29-year-old Nicholas had no choice but to agree with the will of Alexander I. The date of the re-oath to the troops on Senate Square was scheduled for December 26 (December 14, O.S.).

The day before, inspired by free ideas about the abolition of tsarist power and the creation of a liberal system in Russia, participants in the Union of Salvation movement decided to take advantage of the uncertain political situation and change the course of history. At the proposed National Assembly, according to the organizers of the uprising S. Trubetskoy, N. Muravyov, K. Ryleev, P. Pestel, it was supposed to choose one of two forms of government: constitutional monarchy or a republic.

Decembrist uprising

But the revolutionaries' plan failed, since the army did not come over to their side, and the Decembrist uprising was quickly suppressed. After the trial, five organizers were hanged, and participants and sympathizers were sent into exile. The execution of the Decembrists K. F. Ryleev, P. I. Pestel, P. G. Kakhovsky, M. P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, S. I. Muravyov-Apostol was the only one death penalty, which was applied during all the years of the reign of Nicholas I.

The Grand Duke's crowning ceremony took place on August 22 (September 3, O.S.) in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin. In May 1829, Nicholas I assumed the rights of autocrat of the Polish Kingdom.

Domestic policy

Nicholas I turned out to be an ardent supporter of the monarchy. The emperor's views were based on the three pillars of Russian society - autocracy, Orthodoxy and nationality. The monarch adopted laws in accordance with his own unshakable principles. Nicholas I did not strive to create a new one, but to preserve and improve the existing order. As a result, the monarch achieved his goals.

The domestic policy of the new emperor was distinguished by conservatism and adherence to the letter of the law, which gave rise to an even greater bureaucracy in Russia than it had before the reign of Nicholas I. The Emperor began political activity in the country with the introduction of brutal censorship and putting in order the Code of Russian Laws. A division of the Secret Chancellery was created, headed by Benckendorff, which was engaged in political investigations.

Printing also underwent reforms. The State Censorship, created by a special decree, monitored the purity of printed materials and seized suspicious publications opposing ruling regime. The transformations also affected serfdom.

Peasants were offered uncultivated lands in Siberia and the Urals, where farmers moved regardless of their desire. Infrastructure was organized in new settlements, and new agricultural equipment was allocated to them. Events created the preconditions for the abolition of serfdom.

Nicholas I showed great interest in innovations in engineering. In 1837, on the initiative of the Tsar, the construction of the first railway was completed, which connected Tsarskoe Selo and St. Petersburg. Possessing analytical thinking and foresight, Nicholas I used for railway tracks The gauge is wider than the European one. In this way, the tsar prevented the risk of enemy equipment penetrating deep into Russia.

Big role Nicholas I played a role in streamlining the state's financial system. In 1839, the emperor began a financial reform, the goal of which was a unified calculation system silver coins and banknotes. Changes appearance kopecks, on one side of which the initials of the ruling emperor are now printed. The Ministry of Finance initiated an exchange precious metals available to the population for credit cards. Over the course of 10 years, the state treasury increased its reserves of gold and silver.

Foreign policy

In foreign policy The tsar sought to reduce the penetration of liberal ideas into Russia. Nicholas I sought to strengthen the position of the state in three directions: western, eastern and southern. The Emperor suppressed all possible uprisings and revolutionary riots on the European continent, after which he rightfully became known as the “gendarme of Europe.”

Following Alexander I, Nicholas I continued to improve relations with Prussia and Austria. The Tsar needed to strengthen power in the Caucasus. The Eastern Question included relations with Ottoman Empire, the decline of which made it possible to change Russia’s position in the Balkans and on the western coast of the Black Sea.

Wars and revolts

Throughout his reign, Nicholas I conducted military operations abroad. Having barely entered the kingdom, the emperor was forced to take up the baton of the Caucasian War, which was started by his elder brother. In 1826, the tsar launched the Russian-Persian campaign, which resulted in the annexation of Armenia to the Russian Empire.

In 1828 it began Russo-Turkish War. In 1830, Russian troops suppressed the Polish uprising, which arose after the crowning of Nicholas in 1829 to the Polish kingdom. In 1848, the uprising that broke out in Hungary was again extinguished by the Russian army.

In 1853, Nicholas I started the Crimean War, participation in which resulted in ruin for the ruler political career. Without expecting that Turkish troops England and France will provide assistance; Nicholas I lost the military campaign. Russia has lost influence in the Black Sea, losing the opportunity to build and use military fortresses on the coast.

Personal life

Nikolai Pavlovich with his future wife, Prussian Princess Charlotte, daughter of Frederick William III, Alexander I introduced in 1815. Two years later, the young people got married, which cemented the Russian-Prussian Union. Before the wedding, the German princess converted to Orthodoxy and received the name at baptism.

During 9 years of marriage, the first-born Alexander and three daughters were born in the family of the Grand Duke - Maria, Olga, Alexandra. After her accession to the throne, Maria Feodorovna gave Nicholas I three more sons - Konstantin, Nikolai, Mikhail - thereby securing the throne as heirs. The emperor lived in harmony with his wife until his death.

Death

Having become seriously ill with the flu at the beginning of 1855, Nicholas I courageously resisted the illness and, overcoming pain and loss of strength, in early February went to a military parade without outerwear. The Emperor wanted to support the soldiers and officers who were already losing in the Crimean War.

After construction, Nicholas I finally fell ill and died suddenly on March 2 (February 18, old style) from pneumonia. Before his death, the emperor managed to say goodbye to his family, and also give instructions to his son Alexander, the successor to the throne. The grave of Nicholas I is located in the Peter and Paul Cathedral of the northern capital.

Memory

The memory of Nicholas I is immortalized by the creation of more than 100 monuments, the most famous of which is the Horseman Monument on St. Isaac's Square in St. Petersburg. Also famous are the bas-relief dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of Russia, located in Veliky Novgorod, and the bronze bust on the Kazansky Station Square in Moscow.

Monument to Nicholas I on St. Isaac's Square, St. Petersburg

In cinema, the memory of the era and the emperor is captured in more than 33 films. The image of Nicholas I hit the screens back in the days of silent cinema. In modern art, audiences remember his film incarnations performed by actors.

Currently in production is the historical drama “Union of Salvation,” directed by the director, which will tell about the events preceding the Decembrist uprising. It is not yet known who played the main roles.

and his wife - Maria Fedorovna. As soon as Nikolai Pavlovich was born (06/25/1796), his parents enrolled him in military service. He became the chief of the Life Guards cavalry regiment, with the rank of colonel.

Three years later, the prince put on the uniform of his regiment for the first time. In May 1800, Nicholas I became the chief of the Izmailovsky regiment. In 1801, as a result palace coup, his father, Paul I, was killed.

Military affairs became Nicholas I's real passion. The passion for military affairs was apparently passed on from his father, and at the genetic level.

Soldiers and cannons were the Grand Duke’s favorite toys, with which he and his brother Mikhail spent a lot of time. Unlike his brother, he did not gravitate toward science.

On July 13, 1817, the marriage of Nicholas I and the Prussian Princess Charlotte took place. In Orthodoxy, Charlotte was named Alexandra Fedorovna. By the way, the marriage took place on the wife’s birthday.

The life together of the royal couple was happy. After the wedding, he became inspector general in charge of engineering affairs.

Nicholas I was never prepared as the heir to the Russian throne. He was only the third child of Paul I. It so happened that Alexander I had no children.

In this case, the throne passed to Alexander’s younger brother, and Nicholas’s older brother, Constantine. But Konstantin was not eager to shoulder the responsibility and became the Russian emperor.

Alexander I wanted to make Nicholas his heir. This has long been a secret for Russian society. In November, Alexander I unexpectedly died, and Nikolai Pavlovich was to ascend the throne.

It so happened that on the day Russian society took the oath to the new emperor, something happened. Fortunately, everything ended well. The uprising was suppressed, and Nicholas I became emperor. After the tragic events on Senate Square, he exclaimed: “I am the Emperor, but at what cost.”

The policy of Nicholas I had distinctly conservative features. Historians often accuse Nicholas I of excessive conservatism and severity. But how could the emperor behave differently after the Decembrist uprising? It was this event that largely set the course domestic policy during his reign.

Domestic policy

The most important issue in the domestic policy of Nicholas I was the peasant question. He believed that we should try with all our might to alleviate the situation of the peasants. During his reign, many legislative acts were issued to make life easier for the peasantry.

As many as 11 committees worked in conditions of the strictest secrecy, trying to think through solutions to the peasant issue. The Emperor returned to active government activities Mikhail Speransky and instructed him to streamline the legislation of the Russian Empire.

Speransky coped with the task brilliantly, preparing “ Complete collection laws of the Russian Empire for 1648 -1826" and "Code of Laws of the Russian Empire". Minister of Finance Kankrin carried out a progressive currency reform, which revived the country's economy.

Most of all, historians criticize Nicholas I for the activities of the 3rd department of the Imperial Chancellery. This body performed a supervisory function. The Russian Empire was divided into gendarmerie districts, which were headed by generals who had a large staff under their command.

The third department investigated political affairs, closely monitored censorship, as well as the activities of officials of various ranks.

Foreign policy

The foreign policy of Nicholas I became a continuation of the policy of Alexander I. He sought to maintain peace in Europe, guided by the interests of Russia, to develop active work on the eastern borders of the empire.

During his reign, talented diplomats appeared in Russia who extracted favorable terms of cooperation from “our partners.” There were constant diplomatic battles for influence in the world.

Russian diplomats won many such battles. In July 1826, the Russian army fought in Iran. In February 1828, peace was signed, thanks to the efforts of Griboedov, the Nakhichevan and Erivan khanates went to Russia, and the empire also acquired the exclusive right to have a military fleet in the Caspian Sea.

During the reign of Nicholas I, Russia fought with the mountain peoples. There was also a successful war with Turkey, which showed the world military talent. The next Russian-Turkish war turned out to be bad for Russia a real disaster. After, in which the Russian ships under the command of Nakhimov won a stunning victory.

England and France, fearing the strengthening of Russia, entered the war on the side of Turkey. Started Crimean War. Participation in the Crimean War showed the problems that existed in Russian society. First of all, this is technological backwardness. became a good and timely lesson, marking the beginning of a new development in Russia.

Results

Nicholas I died on February 18, 1855. The reign of this monarch can be assessed in different ways. Despite increased control and suppression of dissent, Russia greatly expanded its territory and won many diplomatic disputes.

A monetary reform was carried out in the country, ensuring economic development, the oppression on the peasantry was weakened. All these relaxations have largely become the basis for the future.

Nikolai Pavlovich Romanov, the future Emperor Nicholas I, was born on July 6 (June 25, O.S.) 1796 in Tsarskoe Selo. He became the third son of Emperor Paul I and Empress Maria Feodorovna. Nicholas was not the eldest son and therefore did not claim the throne. It was assumed that he would devote himself to a military career. At the age of six months, the boy received the rank of colonel, and at three years old he was already sporting the uniform of the Life Guards Horse Regiment.

Responsibility for raising Nikolai and his younger brother Mikhail was entrusted to General Lamzdorf. Home education consisted of studying economics, history, geography, law, engineering and fortification. Particular emphasis was placed on studying foreign languages: French, German and Latin. Humanities Nikolai was not given much pleasure, but everything that was related to engineering and military affairs attracted his attention. As a child, Nikolai mastered playing the flute and took drawing lessons, and this acquaintance with art allowed him to be considered a connoisseur of opera and ballet in the future.

In July 1817, Nikolai Pavlovich's wedding took place with Princess Friederike Louise Charlotte Wilhelmina of Prussia, who after baptism took the name Alexandra Feodorovna. And from now on Grand Duke began to actively participate in the arrangement Russian troops. He was in charge of engineering units, and under his leadership, educational institutions were created in companies and battalions. In 1819, with his assistance, the Main Engineering School and schools for guards ensigns were opened. Nevertheless, the army did not like him for being excessively pedantic and picky about little things.

In 1820, a turning point occurred in the biography of the future Emperor Nicholas I: his elder brother Alexander I announced that due to the refusal of the heir to the throne Constantine, the right to reign passed to Nicholas. For Nikolai Pavlovich, the news came as a shock; he was not ready for it. Despite the protests of his younger brother, Alexander I secured this right with a special manifesto.

However, on December 1 (November 19, O.S.), Emperor Alexander I suddenly died. Nicholas again tried to renounce his reign and shift the burden of power to Constantine. Only after the publication of the tsar's manifesto, naming Nikolai Pavlovich as heir, did he have to agree with the will of Alexander I.

The date of the oath before the troops on Senate Square was set for December 26 (December 14, O.S.). It was this date that became decisive in the speech of participants in various secret societies, which went down in history as the Decembrist uprising.

The revolutionaries' plan was not implemented, the army did not support the rebels, and the uprising was suppressed. After the trial, five leaders of the uprising were executed, and large number participants and sympathizers went into exile. The reign of Nicholas I began very dramatically, but there were no other executions during his reign.

The crowning took place on August 22, 1826 in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin, and in May 1829 the new emperor assumed the rights of autocrat of the Polish kingdom.

The first steps of Nicholas I in politics were quite liberal: A. S. Pushkin returned from exile, V. A. Zhukovsky became the heir’s mentor; Nicholas’s liberal views are also indicated by the fact that the Ministry of State Property was headed by P. D. Kiselev, who was not a supporter of serfdom.

However, history has shown that the new emperor was an ardent supporter of the monarchy. His main slogan, which determined state policy, was expressed in three postulates: autocracy, Orthodoxy and nationality. The main thing that Nicholas I sought and achieved with his policy was not to create something new and better, but to preserve and improve the existing order.

The emperor's desire for conservatism and blind adherence to the letter of the law led to the development of an even greater bureaucracy in the country. In fact, an entire bureaucratic state was created, the ideas of which continue to live to this day. The most severe censorship was introduced, a unit of the Secret Chancellery was created, headed by Benckendorff, which conducted political investigation. Very close monitoring of the printing industry was established.

During the reign of Nicholas I, some changes affected the existing serfdom. Uncultivated lands in Siberia and the Urals began to be developed, and peasants were sent to raise them regardless of their desire. Infrastructure was created on new lands, and peasants were supplied with new agricultural equipment.

The first one was built under Nicholas I railway. Track Russian roads was wider than European ones, which contributed to the development of domestic technology.

A financial reform began, which was supposed to introduce a unified system for calculating silver coins and banknotes.

A special place in the tsar's policy was occupied by concern about the penetration of liberal ideas into Russia. Nicholas I sought to destroy all dissent not only in Russia, but throughout Europe. The suppression of all kinds of uprisings and revolutionary riots could not be done without the Russian Tsar. As a result, he received the well-deserved nickname “gendarme of Europe.”

All the years of the reign of Nicholas I were filled with military operations abroad. 1826-1828 - Russian-Persian War, 1828-1829 - Russian-Turkish War, 1830 - suppression of the Polish uprising by Russian troops. In 1833, the Unkyar-Iskelesi Treaty was signed, which became highest point Russian influence on Constantinople. Russia received the right to block the passage of foreign ships into the Black Sea. However, this right was soon lost as a result of the Second London Convention in 1841. 1849 - Russia is an active participant in the suppression of the uprising in Hungary.

The culmination of the reign of Nicholas I was the Crimean War. It was she who was the collapse of the emperor’s political career. He did not expect that Great Britain and France would come to Turkey's aid. The policy of Austria also caused concern, whose unfriendliness forced Russian Empire keep an entire army on the western borders.

As a result, Russia lost influence in the Black Sea and lost the opportunity to build and use military fortresses on the coast.

In 1855, Nicholas I fell ill with the flu, but, despite being unwell, in February he went to a military parade without outerwear... The emperor died on March 2, 1855.