Xenia and Olga were able to escape Russia along with their mother during the Revolution. He had been very close to his older brother, and he was devastated by Nicholas' death. It reappeared in an intermittent fashion during the years 187579, when the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire posed serious problems for Europe. Alexander's major foreign policy achievement was helping forge the Russo-French Alliance and thus directing a major shift in the international relations of Russian society. Alexander III has died on Oct 20, 1894 ( age 49). The palace was surrounded by moats, watch towers, and trenches, and soldiers were on guard night and day. How could he preside over such a committee?[47] He was worried that Nicholas had no experiences with women and arranged for the Polish ballerina Mathilde Kschessinskaya to become his son's mistress. His teacher instilled in the young man a zeal for Russian Orthodox thought which would influence many of his decisions once he became the emperor. [60] On 21 October, Alexander received Nicholas's fiance, Princess Alix of Hesse-Darmstadt, who had come from her native Darmstadt to receive the Tsar's blessing. No one was seriously hurt, but the strong Alexander III lifted the roof of the car from the wreckage so that his family could escape. Imperial Hunting at Byelovvyezh in 1912, 1917 Interview with Grand Duchess Elizabeth, Eyewitness Report of Party for Rasputin by Vecchi, Grand Duchess Olga - 16th Birthday at Livadia, Murder of Prime Minister Stolypin in Kiev 1911, God in All Things - the Religious Beliefs of Russia's Last Empress, On Nicholas II, his Character and his Duties, Religious Character of Alexandra Feodorovna, Grand Duchess Cyril (Victoria Melita) by Meriel Buchannan, Grand Duchess Elizabeth by Meriel Buchanan, Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse by Meriel Buchannan, The Icon of our Lady of the Sign - Znamenskaya, The Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, Anastasia and the Discussion of Survivors. The Industrial Revolution had finally come to Russia and capitalism was taking root. Alexander III (Russian: III , tr. [2] He was highly reactionary and reversed some of the liberal reforms of his father, Alexander II. Finally, Alexander was hopelessly out of touch with the emerging realities of a modern industrialized Russia. Immediately after ascending the throne, Alexander promulgated a manifesto entitled "On the Inviolability of Autocracy." [11], Alexander resented his father for having a long-standing relationship with Catherine Dolgorukov (with whom he had several illegitimate children) while his mother, the Empress, was suffering from chronic ill-health. He made it clear that his autocracy would not be limited. However, this peace was often done at the expense of the working class and peasantry. He came down with nephritis (kidney disease), suffered from headaches, lost his appetite and lost weight. Though he lived in the large Gachina Palace, he chose to live in the renovated servants area. As he passed where I was standing, he raised his head for a second, and to this day I can remember what I felt as our eyes met. These laws encouraged open anti-Jewish sentiment and dozens of pogroms across the western part of the empire. The Bolsheviks murdered Michael six days before Nicholas and his family in July 1918. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The best doctors of the time were called to help, but none were able to save the dying Emperor. Though indignant at the conduct of Bismarck toward Russia, he avoided an open rupture with Germany and even revived for a time the Alliance of the Three Emperors between the rulers of Germany, Russia, and Austria. (Pobedonostsev appears as "Toporov" in Tolstoy's novel Resurrection. Industrial development increased during his reign. On the day of his assassination, Alexander II signed an ukaz setting up consultative commissions to advise the monarch. 26 February] 1845 1 November [O.S. Alexander III (1845-1894) was the father of Nicholas II and the second-last Romanov tsar of Russia. Mirotvorets, IPA:[mrtvorts]). Shortly after becoming Tsar, Alexander III issued a statement asserting his belief in unshakable autocracy. Search for jobs related to Alexander iii of russia height or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 20m+ jobs. [55], Even though he disliked their mother, Alexander was kind to his half-siblings. Learn about DNA. Please send your comments or suggestions on this page to Scott Malsom. Dagmar was so delighted by the First Hen egg that Alexander gave her an egg every year as an Easter tradition. Copyright: The content on this page may not be republished without our express permission. In the Gatchina Palace, where the Alexander chose to live, a rich collection of art was amassed, a large portion of which later entered into the Hermitage's collection. Romanovs. He was known to be highly conservative and a staunch supporter of Russian nationalism. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. His wife is Czarina Maria Fyodorovna (9 November 1866 - 2 November 1894) ( his death) ( 6 children) Czar Aleksandr III Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. To his credit he stabilized the Russian government and maintained peace with his European and Asian neighbors. (editor, 1967) ". This site is created and maintained by Alpha History. . The four-meter monument by Russian sculptor Andrey Kovalchuk depicts Alexander III sitting on a stump, his stretched arms resting on a sabre. Contemporaries noted his sturdy health, athletic build and exceptional modesty in everyday life. Though Alexander was indignant at the conduct of German chancellor Otto von Bismarck towards Russia, he avoided an open rupture with Germanyeven reviving the League of Three Emperors for a period of time and in 1887, signed the Reinsurance Treaty with the Germans. His first cousin, Queen Olga of Greece, offered him to stay at her villa Mon Repos, on the island of Corfu, in the hope that it might improve the Tsar's condition. Each one received an annual salary of 250,000 rubles, and grand duchesses received a dowry of a million when they married. The original Welsh Guards Leek Brooch which was . Even though he did not play an important role in the public life as the heir apparent, he made it clear to his father that many of his own beliefs did not coincide with the principles of the existing government. His youngest half-sister Princess Catherine Alexandrovna Yurievskaya remembered when he would play with her and her siblings: "The Emperor seemed a playful and kind Goliath among all the romping children. . He left behind an incomplete legacy, his work unfinished, and an heir unprepared to rule. He received only the perfunctory training given to grand dukes of that period, which did not go much beyond primary and secondary instruction, acquaintance with French, English, and German, and military drill. When he became tsar, he reflected that no one had such an impact on my life as my dear brother and friend Nixa [Nicholas]"[9] and lamented that "a terrible responsibility fell on my shoulders" when Nicholas died. As a young man he was madly in love with his mother's lady-in-waiting, Princess Maria Elimovna Meshcherskaya and wanted to marry her. Alexander was determined to strengthen autocratic rule as a God given right. As a whole, Alexanders reign cannot be regarded as one of the eventful periods of Russian history, but it is arguable that under his hard, unsympathetic rule the country made some progress. For more information, visit our FAQ page or Terms of Use. Navigate St. Petersburgs dining scene and find restaurants to remember. It was opened by his son, Nicholas II, and exists to this day. While he was heir apparent from 1865 to 1881 Alexander did not play a prominent part in public affairs, but allowed it to become known that he had ideas which did not coincide with the principles of the existing government.[8]. In this, he asserted his commitment to maintaining tsarist autocracy and the supremacy of the Orthodox church. Pobedonostsev believed that all opposition to the government be ruthlessly crushed and viewed liberal ideas as constitutions and free press as a threat to the state. The Romanovs family Alexander III Alexander III Born: St. Petersburg, 26 February (10 March) 1845 Died: Livadiya, 20 October (1 November) 1894 Reigned: 1881-1894 Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich (the future Emperor Alexander III) was the second son of Alexander II and the Empress Maria Alexandrovna. At a restaurant, Grand Duke Vladimir had a brawl with the French actor Lucien Guitry when the latter kissed his wife, Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. As heir apparent, Alexander participated in meetings of the State Council and collaborated with various committees as well as continuing his military career, rising eventually to the rank of General of Infantry. [51] In Denmark, he was able to enjoy joining his children, nephews and nieces, in muddy ponds looking for tadpoles, sneaking into his father-in-law's orchard to steal apples, and playing pranks, such as turning a water hose on the visiting King Oscar II of Sweden. 13 March [O.S. That alliance brought France out of diplomatic isolation, and moved Russia from the German orbit to a coalition with France, one that was strongly supported by French financial assistance to Russia's economic modernisation. An inscription says "Russia has only two allies: the Army and the Navy", although historians dispute whether the Tsar actually said those words. He and Maria Feodorovna were officially crowned and anointed at the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow on 27 May 1883. As a result, Alexander relocated his family to the Gatchina Palace, located 30 kilometres (20mi) south of St. Petersburg. His political legacy represented a direct challenge to the European cultural order set forth by German statesman Otto von Bismarck, intermingling Russian influences with the shifting balances of power. In more ordinary cases Tsar Alexander III could be at once kind, simple, and even almost homely. He had one elder brother, Nicolas. He proved himself to be an autocratic ruler who prided himself on being a true Russian patriot. Queen Victoria commented that she thought him as "a sovereign whom she does not look upon as a gentlemen". For Alexander's role in forging the Franco-Russian Alliance, the French Republic commissioned a bridge named in his honour, Pont Alexandre III. He died in the arms of his wife, and in the presence of his physician, Ernst Viktor von Leyden, at Maly Palace in Livadia on the afternoon of 1 November[O.S. As a result of the assassination, Alexander III would not consider granting the constitution. That time was no more. Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich (the future Emperor Alexander III) was the second son of Alexander II and the Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Commemorative Medal for the Golden Wedding of King Christian IX and Queen Louise. [51], Alexander had an extremely poor relationship with his brother Grand Duke Vladimir. Alexander III of Russia is most famous for his role in the Russo-Japanese War, which was a war between Russia and Japan. He was known to be highly conservative and a staunch supporter of Russian nationalism. He implemented changes such as teaching only the Russian language in Russian schools in Germany, Poland, and Finland. We conducted nine more studies with nearly 5,500 participants, mostly . Tsarist and Communist Russia Alexander III Alexander III Alexander III Birth of the USA American Constitution American Independence War Causes of the American Revolution Democratic Republican Party General Thomas Gage biography Intolerable Acts Loyalists Powers of the President Quebec Act Seven Years' War Stamp Act Tea Party Cold War In spite of all his shortcomings, Russia fought no major wars during his reign and thus he was dubbed "The Peacemaker". When they were looking at photographs of the deceased Nicholas, Alexander proposed to Dagmar. Contents 1 Biography Born: St.Petersburg, 26 February (10 March) 1845Died: Livadiya, 20 October (1 November) 1894Reigned: 1881-1894. Title: Tsar Alexander III Alexander became tsesarevich upon Nicholas's sudden death in 1865. The new Emperor believed that remaining true to Russian Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationality (the ideology introduced by his grandfather, emperor Nicholas I) would save Russia from revolutionary agitation. On the very day of his death he signed an ukaz creating a number of consultative commissions that might have been transformed eventually into a representative assembly. As the year progressed, his health deteriorated at an alarming rate. Estimated Net Worth in 2021: $1-$3million: Previous Year's Net Worth (2020) Under Review: Annual Salary: . Biography. He was known to be highly conservative and a staunch supporter of Russian nationalism. 20 October] 1894. Upon taking the throne, Alexander began to undo the liberal reforms which had been enacted over the course of . In his opinion, Russia was to be saved from anarchical disorders and revolutionary agitation not by the parliamentary institutions and so-called liberalism of western Europe but by the three principles of Orthodoxy, autocracy, and narodnost. At the same time, Russia gradually annexed the territory of Turkmenistan and increased its presence in the Far East, where Japan's active policies were causing the country great concern. Get our help and advice choosing services and options to plan a prefect train journey. At first the tsarevich was more Slavophile than the government, but he was disabused of his illusions during the Russo-Turkish War of 187778, when he commanded the left wing of the invading army. Coronation of Maria Fyodorovna and Alexander III, Emperor Alexander III with his wife and children, The dining car and grand-ducal wagon of the Russian Imperial train after the accident on 17 October 1888, The body of Tsar Alexander III in his chair with Empress Maria Fedorovna alongside (from the album. He wanted to create a nation that was composed of a single nationality, language, and religion, as well as one form of administration. Although he promised at the beginning of his reign to continue the work of his father, he ended up following a more conservative course under the influence of his tutor and personal advisor, Konstantin Petrovich Pobedonostsev. Liberals do not By Jer Clifton on March 1, 2023 . Native American Ancestry - Am I descended from Pochahontas. [citation needed] Girs was in charge of a diplomacy that featured numerous negotiated settlements, treaties and conventions. Alexander III (1845-1894) was emperor of Russia from 1881 to 1894. [8], Alexander III took initiatives to stimulate the development of trade and industry, as his father did before him. However when his brother Nicolas was in his deathbed, he asked Alexander to marry his fiance, Princess Dagmar of Denmark. In October 1888 the Imperial train derailed while the Tsar and his family were eating in the dining car. His education was not such as to soften these peculiarities. Bound by duty, he left his lady-love and married Princess Dagmar of Denmark (later known as Maria Feodorovna) in 1866 in the Imperial Chapel of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. During his reign he adopted several repressive policies including the Russification of national minorities in the Russian Empire as well as persecution of the non-Orthodox religious groups. In foreign affairs he was emphatically a man of peace but not a partisan of the doctrine of peace at any price. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Alexander III of Russia was the emperor of Russia from 1881 to 1894. Bound by duty, he left his lady-love and married Princess Dagmar of Denmark (later known as Maria Feodorovna) in 1866 in the Imperial Chapel of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. ", Carolly Erickson, Alexandra: The Last Tsarina, p. 19, Alexander Mikhailovich, Once a Grand Duke, p. 65, Julia P. Gelardi, From Splendor to Revolution, p.29, Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Romanovs, p. 459, Miranda Carter, George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I, p. 54, John Curtis Perry, The Flight of the Romanovs, p. 54, John Van der Kiste, The Romanovs 1818-1959," p. 121, Julia P. Gelardi, From Splendor to Revolution, p.128, Kalakaua to his sister, 12 July 1881, quoted in Greer, Richard A. Alexander was an avid collector of art, and in this matter he was only rivaled by Catherine the Great. [6] He said, "That is what I am going to do to your two or three army corps. He ascended the throne March 14, 1881, the day after the assassination of his father, Alexander II. He would order each musician of the orchestra to leave and turn off the lights until the guests left. [52] The prefect of St. Petersburg needed to escort Vladimir out of the restaurant. Upon succeeding the throne on the death of his father, Emperor Alexander II of Russia, he reversed some of the liberal reforms his father had implemented during his reign. "[44] He wrote in his diary that he "was crying like a baby"[45] when Dagmar gave birth to their first child, Nicholas. Historians still debate Alexander's role in his father's murder. Russian language, culture and religion were imposed on peoples across the empire (Russification). He was the recipient of several honors including Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation from the Kingdom of Italy (1865), French Lgion d'Honneur (1865), Order of the Golden Fleece from Spain (1865), Order of the Southern Cross from the Empire of Brazil (1866), and Order of St. Stephen of Hungary (1866). Maximize your time in St. Petersburg with tours expertly tailored to your interests. Pobedonostsev, who influenced the character of his reign by instilling into his mind hatred for representative government and the belief that zeal for Orthodoxy ought to be cultivated by every tsar. Even when Nicholas first displayed symptoms of delicate health, the notion that he might die young was never taken seriously, and he was betrothed to Princess Dagmar of Denmark, daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and Queen-consort Louise of Denmark, and whose siblings included King Frederick VIII of Denmark, Queen-consort Alexandra of the United Kingdom and King George I of Greece. On 19 May 1866, Alexander II informed his son that Russia had come to an agreement with the parents of Princess Dagmar of Denmark, the fiance of his late elder brother Nicholas. In 1865, Nicolas died suddenly and Alexander became heir apparent (as Tsarevich). His teacher instilled in the young man a zeal for Russian Orthodox thought which would influence many of his decisions once he became the emperor. Alexander III (Russian: III , tr. Alexander III was the Tsar of the Russian Empire from 1881 to his death in 1894. 1875), Michael (b. The Tsar's gaze! It yielded six children including the future Nicholas II. An opinion piece in Scientific American by a researcher at Penn (I previously wrote about his study last year): Many Differences Between Liberals and Conservatives May Boil Down to One Belief Conservatives tend to believe that strict divisions are an inherent part of life. Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov was born in the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, the second son of Tsar Alexander II. Most of his 13-year-rule was spent seeking to strengthen autocracy. After Alexander died, his heir Nicholas continued the tradition and commissioned two eggs, one for his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and one for his mother, Dagmar, every Easter. Alexander III was born on March 10, 1845 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was not known at the time, but the Tsar had suffered a severe bruise to his kidney that would contribute to his death 6 years later. We can help you make the right choice from hundreds of St. Petersburg hotels and hostels. "Konstantin Petrovich PobedonostsevMan and Politician". The reign of Alexander III began in tragedy. Alexander Iii is a famous Emperor who has a net worth of $1-2 million. As tsesarevich, Alexander began to study the principles of law and administration under Konstantin Pobedonostsev, then a professor of civil law at Moscow State University and later (from 1880) chief procurator of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in Russia. With regard to Bulgaria he exercised similar self-control. In return for the Russian support which had enabled him to create the German Empire,[35] it was thought that he would help Russia to solve the Eastern question in accordance with Russian interests, but to the surprise and indignation of the cabinet of Saint Petersburg he confined himself to acting the part of "honest broker" at the Congress, and shortly afterwards contracted an alliance with Austria-Hungary for the purpose of counteracting Russian designs in Eastern Europe. He was born during the reign of his grandfather Nicholas I. While his brother Nicolasthe tsarevich or heir apparentwas groomed to be the future king, Alexander only received the training of an ordinary Grand Duke of that period. Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia remembered hearing Alexander say, To think that after having faced the guns of the Turks I must retreat now before these skunks. This included acquaintance with French, English and German, and military drill.[8]. Alexander had better relationships with his other brothers: Alexei (who he made rear admiral and then a grand admiral of the Russian Navy), Sergei (who he made governor of Moscow) and Paul. With the death of his brother, Alexander inherited more than just the title of Tsarevich. Influenced by his Danish wife Dagmar, Alexander criticized the "shortsighted government" for helping the "Prussian pigs". . The oath of allegiance to the throne and to the autocracy was made by his eldest son, the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas II. He married Dagmar of Denmark (1847-1928) 9 November 1866 . "[49], Each summer his parents-in-law, King Christian IX and Queen Louise, held family reunions at the Danish royal palaces of Fredensborg and Bernstorff, bringing Alexander, Maria and their children to Denmark. His opinions are utterly childish. History has made its judgement. We can find you a suitable interpreter for your negotiations, research or other needs. Updates? Alexander III of Russia was the emperor of. Nonetheless, in 1892 and 1893, many agricultural areas across the country were hit with famine. He told Dagmar that "only with [our children] can I relax mentally, enjoy them and rejoice, looking at them. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Alexander III, Tsar of Russia, reigned from 1881 to 1894. One cannot fault Alexander's reaction to his father's death. The rest would bear a princely title and the style of Serene Highness. During the years of his reign Russia was not involved in even a single major war. He had no idea that the causes he cared for and the means at which he obtained them would cause the eventual destruction of the way of life and government he cherished so deeply. Indeed, he was not educated or prepared in his youth to be Emperor. Alexander's ascension to the throne was followed by an outbreak of anti-Jewish riots. Corrections? Dismayed to learn that Prince Wittgenstein had proposed to her in early 1866, he told his parents that he was prepared to give up his rights of succession in order to marry his beloved "Dusenka". Age, Height & Body Measurements. Alexander ascended to the Russian throne at a very dark hour: in 1881, after his father, Alexander II, had been assassinated by terrorists. Initially, Alexander refused to travel to Copenhagen because he wanted to marry Maria. Under the influence of Konstantin Pobedonostsev (18271907), he opposed any reform that limited his autocratic rule. He had long viewed the reforms of the mid-19th century as too liberal and permissive. Polunov, A. Iu. Lacking the sophistication and refinement generally associated with men of royal lineage, Alexander III prided himself on being rough and unrefined. This is his greatest failure. [63] Another pre-revolutionary memorial is located in the city of Irkutsk at the Angara embankment. Alexander was concerned that his heir-apparent, Nicholas, was too gentle and naive to become an effective Emperor. Alexanders political ideal was a nation containing only one nationality, one language, one religion, and one form of administration, and he did his utmost to prepare for the realization of this ideal by imposing the Russian language and Russian schools on his German, Polish, and Finnish subjects, by fostering Orthodoxy at the expense of other confessions, by persecuting the Jews, and by destroying the remnants of German, Polish, and Swedish institutions in the outlying provinces. Authors: Jennifer Llewellyn, Michael McConnell, Steve Thompson 10 March [O.S. Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Prince of Finland from 1881 to 1894. Memorability Metrics 5.7M At the moment of the crash, the imperial family was in the dining car. He possessed such a strong will as to rule the Russian Empire as absolute autocrat, to the point where the Empire stabilized and prospered, thus allowing capitalism to begin to take root. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Alexander III, however, had no such luxury. It was believed that he had, barring assassination, many years left to his reign. These acts weakened the nobility and the peasantry and brought Imperial administration under the Emperor's personal control. He was born as Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov on 10 March 1845 at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire, to Emperor Alexander II of Russia and his wife Maria Alexandrovna (Marie of Hesse). He tightened censorship of the press and sent thousands of revolutionaries to Siberia. The eighth film. His older brother and heir to the throne, Nicholas, died in 1865. Citation information He gloried in the idea of being of the same rough texture as the great majority of his subjects. Enraged, Alexander II ordered him to go straight to Denmark and propose to Princess Dagmar. On March 1, 1881, on the eve of the signing into law Russia's first constitution, two assassins threw bombs at the Tsar's carriage in St. Petersburg. Their second child, George, was born in 1871 followed by Xenia (1871), Michael (1878) and Olga (1882). Upon succeeding the throne on the death of his father, Emperor Alexander II of Russia, he reversed some of the liberal reforms his father had implemented during his reign. He reversed some of the liberal measures of his predecessor, his father, Alexander II. [7] His wife once convinced him to go on a carriage ride with her. Bronze Commemorative Medal for the Russo-Turkish War, Dorpalen, Andreas. Alexander III Of Russia detail biography, family, facts and date of birth. [52] Alexander was so furious that he temporarily exiled Vladimir and his wife and threatened to exile them permanently to Siberia if they did not leave immediately. [4], Alexander was extremely strong. When Alexander III came to the throne in 1881, Russia had already faced financial reforms, a public budget, a new motion of judicial independence and trial by jury . "[6], Unlike his extroverted wife, Alexander disliked social functions and avoided St. Petersburg. [citation needed] These sentiments would resurface during 18751879, when the Eastern question excited Russian society. The tsesarevich Nikolay, on his deathbed, had expressed a wish that his fiance, Princess Dagmar of Denmark, thenceforward known as Maria Fyodorovna, should marry his successor. A Review Article", This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 22:53. [48] Even at the end of his life, he considered Nicholas a child and told him, "I can't imagine you as a fianc how strange and unusual! He deprecated undue foreign influence in general and German influence in particular. "[53] This tension was reflected in the rivalry between Maria Feodorovna and Vladimir's wife, Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna.[54]. [59] Recognizing that the Tsar's days were numbered, various imperial relatives began to descend on Livadia. It was also expensive for the Crown to pay so many grand dukes each year. On May 11 (April 29, Old Style), 1881, Pobedonostsev published a manifesto, written without the ministers' knowledge, in which the emperor described himself as "chosen to defend" autocratic power. Alexanders father, Emperor Alexander II of Russia, was assassinated on 1 March 1881 and as a result he ascended to the Russian imperial throne as Alexander III of Russia. "[41] In 1885, he commissioned Peter Carl Faberg to produce the first of what were to become a series of jeweled Easter eggs (now called "Faberg eggs") for her as an Easter gift. Alexander III had six children (five of whom survived to adulthood) of his marriage with Princess Dagmar of Denmark, also known as Marie Feodorovna. Construction began on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Alexander had six children by Dagmar, five of whom survived into adulthood: Nicholas (b. Alexander, then 23 years old, was in the palace at the moment of the assassination and his accession to the throne was announced by General Nicholas Zubov, one of the assassins. [6], Alexander was afraid of horses. [citation needed] These ideas conflicted with those of his father, who had German sympathies despite being a patriot; Alexander II often used the German language in his private relations, occasionally ridiculed the Slavophiles and based his foreign policy on the Prussian alliance. The terrible fate of the latter produced an awful impression upon Alexander, but instead of continuing the reforms of the "Czar-Emancipator," as was expected, heat once gave . On his deathbed, Nicholas allegedly expressed the wish that his fiance, Princess Dagmar of Denmark, should marry Alexander. The crown passed to his son, Nicholas, who Alexander had privately expressed was unsuited for leadership. [62] Soon after, his health began to deteriorate more rapidly.