Topic > The different approaches of Alexander Ii and Alexander Iii to governing the Russian Empire

Alexander II versus Alexander IIIDespite being father and son, Alexander II and Alexander III's approach to governing the Russian Empire was very different, however both share the similarity of wanting what is best for their country. Alexander II was by nature a liberal. His famous reforms and his political course earned him the title of "The Tsar Liberator". In contrast, Alexander III was a conservative, believed in the ideology of absolute autocracy, and made himself known as a "peacemaker" for his non-involvement in wars or other foreign conflicts. The death situations of the tsars highlight the differences between their reigns: Alexander II was killed during the eighth attack, while Alexander III died in his bed due to kidney disease at the age of 49. Despite having conflicting beliefs about the best way to approach power and control of the Russian Empire, both tsars helped it prosper economically, aiding its development, so that Russia was in the state it is in today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayBoth tsars contributed to the industrialization of the Russian Empire, shaping it into the shape Russia is in today. Politically, Alexander II and Alexander III had a different approach, however in the realm of economic policies, they both modernized and expanded the Empire's economy. It initially became apparent that the Russian Empire needed economic progress after its defeat in the Crimean War. Serfdom was blamed for the backwardness of the economy, since it did not allow the establishment of industries and hindered the free flow of labor; even Nicholas I, Alexander II's more conservative father, referred to serfdom as "flagrant evil". The proposed solution to the problem, liberation from serfdom, was directly related to the liberal point of view of Alexander II; thus the Emancipation Manifesto was implemented on March 3, 1861. However, the emancipation attempt had little or no effect on the economy, as the peasants were still tied to the municipalities and the Mir, who managed their financial affairs, and fell into debt . with ransom payments they were unable to pay. The economy was still agrarian, however the peasants, who constituted the workforce, were given only a third of the worst land, most of which was unsuitable for cultivation. However, despite slow industrial development, the total workforce increased from 860 thousand to 1.32 million in 1887. Under Alexander II's finance minister, Mikhail Ruetern (1862-1878), the construction of railways began. The railways would open up the vast lands of Russia, increasing resource exports, allowing for the creation of industries along the way, as well as the building itself creating many jobs. Under Alexander III industrial development accelerated, with Russia becoming the world's fourth largest economically powerful country by the end of his reign in 1894. Alexander III continued his father's reforms, similarly focusing on railway construction. Under its first new finance minister, Nikolai Bunge (1881-1886), the Peasants' Land Bank was established in 1883 to help peasants in their business, enabling them to purchase land for agriculture at affordable prices, as well as clearing the unpaid ransom payments. Under the reign of Alexander III, with the construction of railways, exports of minerals, oil, textiles, etc. increased significantly under Finance Minister Ivan Vyshnegradkiy (1887-1992), who also encouraged.