Statesman.
Minister of the Interior during the reign of Alexander II. He prepared the first constitution plan that would have given Russia its first parliament. The Emperor’s assassination shelved the project.
Background
Lived: 1825-1888.
Mikhail Loris-Melikov was an army general of Georgian origin. He had participated in the Crimean War and served as a gifted administrator in the Caucasus area.
Constitution plan
In 1880, terrorists organized an explosion in the Winter Palace. The emperor’s family was saved only because they were late for the dinner.
Alexander II immediately appointed Count Loris-Melikov as Head of the Supreme Executive Commission. During 1880-81 he had almost dictator-like powers to deal ruthlessly with the terrorists and work out a plan to meet the demands of the public.
Loris-Melikov presented the emperor his program of reforms later in 1880. He was planning an elected representative body of nobility and peasantry, the first passport system, local government and new tax system. Alexander II signed the “Loris-Melikov’s Constitution” and was willing to go further with reforms.
Aftermath
On the very same day, the assassination of Alexander II took place. The project was left like that, the next emperor Alexander III put a sudden halt to all reforms. Loris-Melinkov resigned and spent the rest of his life abroad in Germany and France.
Mikhail Loris-Melikov
Statesman.
Minister of the Interior during the reign of Alexander II. He prepared the first constitution plan that would have given Russia its first parliament. The Emperor’s assassination shelved the project.
Background
Lived: 1825-1888.
Mikhail Loris-Melikov was an army general of Georgian origin. He had participated in the Crimean War and served as a gifted administrator in the Caucasus area.
Constitution plan
In 1880, terrorists organized an explosion in the Winter Palace. The emperor’s family was saved only because they were late for the dinner.
Alexander II immediately appointed Count Loris-Melikov as Head of the Supreme Executive Commission. During 1880-81 he had almost dictator-like powers to deal ruthlessly with the terrorists and work out a plan to meet the demands of the public.
Loris-Melikov presented the emperor his program of reforms later in 1880. He was planning an elected representative body of nobility and peasantry, the first passport system, local government and new tax system. Alexander II signed the “Loris-Melikov’s Constitution” and was willing to go further with reforms.
Aftermath
On the very same day, the assassination of Alexander II took place. The project was left like that, the next emperor Alexander III put a sudden halt to all reforms. Loris-Melinkov resigned and spent the rest of his life abroad in Germany and France.
Alexander Gorchakov