Emperor Alexander III of Russia, who reigned from 1881 until his death in 1894, is often remembered for his conservative policies and efforts to stabilize the Russian Empire after the tumultuous reign of his father, Alexander II. His most famous quote is constantly used in modern day Russia after many major disappointments with supposed allies and friends especially in the West. The quote that is now a core tennant of realpolitik and pragmatism is as follows:

“Russia has no ‘friends’, they fear our massiveness, Russia only has two reliable allies, her army and navy.”

These are the most famous words of a leader who believed Russia could achieve anything on its own. Here are some of the key successes and achievements associated with his rule:

1. Maintenance of Peace

• Alexander III is often referred to as the “Peacemaker” because his reign was marked by a notable absence of major wars. He pursued a foreign policy focused on maintaining peace through strength and avoiding conflicts, which allowed Russia to recover economically and socially from previous upheavals.
• He strengthened alliances, particularly with France, which later evolved into the Franco-Russian Alliance, a significant diplomatic achievement that countered the growing power of Germany and Austria-Hungary.

2. Economic Modernization and Industrial Growth

• Alexander III’s reign saw significant economic development, particularly in industrialization. His finance ministers, notably Nikolai Bunge and Ivan Vyshnegradsky, implemented policies that promoted industrial growth, railway expansion, and foreign investment.
• The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects of the time, began during his reign. This project aimed to connect European Russia with its eastern territories, facilitating economic and military integration. This route is still a core part of Russia’s economy and security to this day.

3. Strengthening of Autocracy

• After the assassination of his father, Alexander II, by revolutionary terrorists, Alexander III reversed many of the liberal reforms of the previous reign. He implemented a policy of “counter-reforms” to strengthen autocratic rule and suppress revolutionary movements.
• His firm hand and conservative policies restored a sense of order and stability, at least temporarily, which was seen as a success by those who favored strong central authority and a healthy Russia.

4. Cultural and National Identity

• Alexander III promoted a strong sense of Russian nationalism and Orthodoxy. He emphasized the importance of Russian traditions, language, and culture.
• His reign saw the promotion of Russian art, music, and literature, contributing to a cultural renaissance that celebrated national identity.

5. Military Reforms

• While avoiding major conflicts, Alexander III modernized the Russian military. He invested in improving the army and navy, ensuring that Russia remained a formidable power across Eurasia.
• His focus on military preparedness helped lay the groundwork for Russia’s capabilities in the early 20th century. Many early pieces of Soviet propaganda made it look as if there was no industrial development under the Tsars. The reign of Alexander III, when looked at objectively, proves there was a lot of industrial development even before the Revolution.

6. Social Stability

• By cracking down on revolutionary activities and reinforcing traditional institutions, Alexander III managed to maintain social stability during his reign. This period of relative calm allowed for economic growth and infrastructure development.

Legacy

While Alexander III’s reign was focused on maintaining peace, promoting economic growth, and strengthening national identity are notable. However his great efforts would be undone during the chaos of WWI and any achievements he made wound up being swept under a Soviet rug to be kept out of sight and mind.