1825-1855 Emperor of Russia.
Nicholas I was the most reactionary leader in Russian history. His long autocratic reign earned him the nickname “Gendarme of Europe”. His reign saw the total collapse of Russian military grandeur in the Crimean War.
Background
Lived: 1796-1855.
Nicholas I was the third son of emperor Paul I. He was never involved in state affairs and had never been properly educated. His tutor thought education meant discipline and military training. Nicholas, however, was not even popular among members of the army.
Nicholas married Alexandra Fyodorovna (Charlotte of Prussia), and they lived quietly outside St. Petersburg. They had a total of 8 children.
Rise to power
Nicholas unexpectedly became the next in line upon the death of Alexander I in 1825 because his older brother Konstantin had secretly refused the throne.
The moment was seized by the Decembrists, who demanded constitution. Nicholas put down the rebellion with cannon fire.
Police state
Nicholas idealized dicipline and order. Due to his experience with the Decembrists he desperately feared rebellion and uprising. He saw it as his divine mission to take part personally in every aspect of governing the state.
People nicknamed him Nicholas Palkin (“Palka” stick).
Nicholas established an entirely new “political police” force, the Third Department (of His Imperial Majesty’s Own Chancellery). It was the forerunner of Okhranka.
Death
In March 1855, during the Crimean War, Nicholas I suddenly fell ill and refusing any treatment, soon died of pneumonia. Russia’s painful defeat in the Crimean War was such a blow that it is debatable whether he died of natural causes or had, in fact, committed suicide.
Nicholas I
1825-1855 Emperor of Russia.
Nicholas I was the most reactionary leader in Russian history. His long autocratic reign earned him the nickname “Gendarme of Europe”. His reign saw the total collapse of Russian military grandeur in the Crimean War.
Background
Lived: 1796-1855.
Nicholas I was the third son of emperor Paul I. He was never involved in state affairs and had never been properly educated. His tutor thought education meant discipline and military training. Nicholas, however, was not even popular among members of the army.
Nicholas married Alexandra Fyodorovna (Charlotte of Prussia), and they lived quietly outside St. Petersburg. They had a total of 8 children.
Rise to power
Nicholas unexpectedly became the next in line upon the death of Alexander I in 1825 because his older brother Konstantin had secretly refused the throne.
The moment was seized by the Decembrists, who demanded constitution. Nicholas put down the rebellion with cannon fire.
Police state
Nicholas idealized dicipline and order. Due to his experience with the Decembrists he desperately feared rebellion and uprising. He saw it as his divine mission to take part personally in every aspect of governing the state.
People nicknamed him Nicholas Palkin (“Palka” stick).
Nicholas established an entirely new “political police” force, the Third Department (of His Imperial Majesty’s Own Chancellery). It was the forerunner of Okhranka.
Death
In March 1855, during the Crimean War, Nicholas I suddenly fell ill and refusing any treatment, soon died of pneumonia. Russia’s painful defeat in the Crimean War was such a blow that it is debatable whether he died of natural causes or had, in fact, committed suicide.
Crimean War