Nicholas II (6.05.1868-17.07.1918)
Emperor of All Russia in 1894-1917
Nicholas II was enthroned after his father's death. Emperor's contemporaries noted 2 defects of his character: he was weak-willed and fickle. Nicholas II created a State Duma (1906) without which any bill could not become law. In 1898 the emperor propose to sign a treaty of world peace and reduce the armament increasing. In 1904 Japan declared war to Russia which lasted one year and led to Russia's defeat. In 1914 Russia entered in the Alliance against Germany and took part in the Great War. Defeats in the Great I War, revolutionnary propaganda in the home front, disruption, cabinet reshuffling arose discontents in different government circles. In March 2, 1917 Nicholas II abdicated the throne. In April 30, 1918 the prisoners were carried in Ekaterinburg where at night of the 17-th of July, 1918 the imperial family had been shot by the tchekysts of the executive committee (VTSIK).
Alexander III (26.02.1845-20.10.1894)
Emperor of the All Russia in 1881-1894
Alexander III was enthroned on March 1, 1881. The eldest brother of Alexander Alexandrovich Nicholas died in 1865. He grew up among officers and was arrogant, rude; he treated people as his subordinates. Alexander had received a proper education. Alexander Alexandrovich had a great capacity of work and was enormously strong. In economy, the developing capitalism obliged him to act quite differently. In April 29, 1881 the emperor published the Manifesto of self-governing establishment which became the beginning of the reaction period in domestic policy. Alexander III introduced a series of economic reforms (abolishment of the tax on individuals, introducing of the lands' ransom, reducing of ransom payments). To dominate new lands the emperor supported the settlement of the peasantry father to Siberia. In foreign policy relations between Germany and Russia became much more cold. At the same time France and Russia restored their relationship, after what the two countries entered in an alliance. Alexander III died in 1894 of kidney disease which grew up after a railway's accident not far from Kharkov, and because of constant drinking.
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