Alexander I - Reformer or Autocrat - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: Alexander I - Reformer or Autocrat Alexander I - Reformer or Autocrat [Institute’s Alexander I - Reformer or Autocrat From the time when the human race of the globe came into existence, the civilizations have also been into presence and structure. In other words, the world is a hodgepodge of multifarious cluster of cultures, races, and societies. For as long as anyone can remember, the diverse and various civilizations of the world have come under governance of the dominating emperors and royal leaders. Nevertheless, quite a few of those rulers have proved to be so influential that people and history have remembered them since time immemorial. In fact, these chronicles of ancient civilizations have always reigned over the credentials of history. Likewise, these emperors and their ruling periods have left a noticeable and ineradicable imprint in the history of the universe. Amongst the few incomprehensible autocrats that the world has witnessed, Alexander I is one of those enigmatic tsars that has tyrannized the region of Russia for more than a span of twenty years. While looking at the historical background of Russia, it has come under observation that Russia has been a foremost power of Europe that has played a significant role for the peace settlements of the greater parts of it. In addition, history enlightens that for over several centuries; Russia indulged itself as a curb for the European countries in front of the emperors that in quest of having the power over them1. Despite the fact that Alexander I had been a prominent personality of the history, several historical episodes deal with him but only a few meticulous analyses on his personality and policies have come under presentation. The autobiographical epic of Alexander I elucidate the piece of information that he was born in the latter years of the sixteenth century and the last quarter of decade 1770s in one of the largest cities of Russia. Alexander I the Blessed was another name given to him by the people of Russia as he ruled over Russia as an emperor for nearly twenty-five years during his shot span of life. Alexander I was also the Russian King of Poland for approximately ten years. He also gained recognition by becoming the “first Russian Grand Duke of Finland and Lithuania”2. Although Alexander I was the eldest son amongst his siblings, yet he became the successor to his father of the throne and came into power at a very young age. Alexander I became the czar of Russia when this state was in a turbulent and uncontrolled position due to the happening of Napoleonic Wars. According to the historians, the ruling period of Alexander has come under dissection in two periods primarily. The first period comes under remembrance mostly as progressive and the concluding years of the power deemed as orthodox or counterrevolutionary stage. The historical records reveal the fact that noninterventionist or liberal improvements and reforms were the highlighting facets during the earlier period of the sovereignty of Alexander I. Alexander I carried out the liberal reforms with an intention to transform Russian empire into a highly democratic and modernized society. Moreover, restructuring of the country and codify the legislation of Russia were amongst the numerous distinct reforms of Alexander I3. In addition to it, education and spread of knowledge was one of the fundamental aspects of the early reforms by Alexander I that came under key emphasis during his early reign interlude. However, the latter period of his dominion states that he practiced much more arbitrary manner of conduct that even abolished or rolled back several preceding reforms consequently4. This is because he became quite conservative after defeating Napoleon who made an endeavor to surmount Russia. This defeat to Napoleon endorsed Alexander I as the most supreme and powerful ruler amongst all of the European emperors. Actually, the alliance of Russia with France deteriorated after this defeat to Napoleon. The epoch of Alexander explicated that he openly outstripped and disassociated himself from the autocratic policies that his father used to apply over Russia. Moreover, the orders and measures taken in his father’s time came under abatement and nullified. These incorporate redeeming of people to their services who were dismissed without the court procedures, political prisoners receiving amnesty or forgiveness who were discharged, making free the import of books and music and several other activities. Hence, it can come under well conclusion that these were the results of initial activities that Alexander I carried out during his time5. Adding more to it, a major and prime step in internal affairs of the country came under performance by setting up a temporary council by Alexander I that worked on the reinforcing and fortifying the industrial, social, and political system. The principal idea that was behind the permanent council was to restrict and confine the power of the autocracy and sovereignty. Although this did not happened in actual but the council created a circumstance where the activities of the sovereign power came under control6. The first few years of Alexander I’s tyranny was the most critical ones, as he had to prove himself to stay in power and apprehension and insight of the ideas and reforms that he intended to implement and free him from the influence conspirators. He focused on the internal reformations although he was attracted by foreign affairs greatly. In addition, the narrations also come up with a fact that Alexander I personally drafted the notion of reformation of Russian state as well as deeply and profoundly participated in the work of reforms. However, after certain years of his power, he started to rely on his advisors for the reforms while he made orders to those plans. As an outcome of the reforms, it not only gave Alexander I legitimacy to his rule but also reinforced it7. During the reign, Alexander I was apparent and unambiguous with the internal politics, which he worked on the programs to resolve the internal issues. Although the powerful status of Alexander I prove that, he struggled to great deal for the domestic reformation of Russia, but did little work to bolster or reinforce his legacy outside Russia. As far as foreign politics was concerned, Alexander I did not had luminous visions and thoughts about how to cope and deal with it and make efficient use of the military forces of the Russian empire on his collaborators and opponents or rivalries. Furthermore, the values, philosophies, and ethics that would come under practice in the foreign affairs did not come under expression evidently and Alexander I fall short to contemplate the role of Russia in international relations8. One of the salient and imperative goals and objectives of Alexander I was to create, maintain, and preserve peace not only in the state of Russia but for the entire European world. However, he succeeded in maintaining peace in Russia and not got involved into the complicated alliance between various European states. Russian government gave a thought to have a strong relationship within the entire European state instead of bilateral agreements as soon as the French conquests the central European region9. Through this alliance between England and Russia, that was a major source of concern for both, it was for the first time that Alexander I’s ideas and thoughts with reference to foreign politics came under vision. The viewpoints of European issues and Eastern questions together were the key accentuated features. Although initially Alexander I desired and focused on the war against Napoleon, but afterward, he opted to have a peace treaty with Napoleon. This came under determination because the French experienced and went through defeats10. As a diplomat of Russia, Alexander I initiated to shape the strong relationships with the European monarchs. Likewise, he also welcomed and corresponded with various leaders from different parts of the world to develop an alliance that would smooth the path for the settlement of conflicts in Europe. The verity comes under disclosure with the historical account that the prime reason that made the name of Alexander I above all in the Russian history is his military conquests, although he had been extremely victorious in creating the legitimacy of Russian policies and building up and extending the coalitions with numerous countries11. Georgia was also one of the nations that came under the control of Alexander I in his early period of dominion that was the result of extended war with Persia. All the way through his entire ruling episode, Alexander I conquered entire portion of Finland and a fraction of Poland. Alexander I from the beginning of his supremacy made best efforts to maintain and preserve peace all over Russia and even to the European states, for which several treaties came under achievement and renewal. Even after making so many attempts, the peaceful time ended in a few years when Russia was trapped in a war against Turkey that lasted several years. Due to this, the Russian foreign policies came under amendments and reconsiderations. Indeed, Alexander I had to face immense pressure as he was left alone for creating the peace with France. Despite of having numerous positive aspects, the peace treaty set apart and segregated Russia12. Alexander I with his diplomatic skills and powers embodied the Russian interest in an influential manner, hence, making the ministry of foreign affairs functions work in a much more organized, and efficient way. Russia’s status in the European system changed when Alexander I defeated Napoleon from the invasion of Russia. Alexander I used this changed status in a positive way and believed to settle the European issues. This also proved that Alexander I recognized that European issues during his dictatorship required exceptional and out of the ordinary attention13. Alexander I: the tsar also made active and keen contributions and participations in the Congress works, and safeguarded and maintained his leadership and initiative role for nearly twenty-five years. Moreover, Alexander I intimated and exhibited his thoughts and proposals on the role of Russia and the cooperation of the powers in the reformation of Europe and its new system. This is because Alexander I has always been a very big supporter and promoter of European peace. For this, he compelled Russia to serve for the maintenance of European peace. His foreign policies articulated and cleared the picture that Alexander I was very well aware of the interests of Russia14. As Russia progressed in its international relations, Alexander I sensed this new position and strength of Russia. Besides, Alexander I also felt that the elevated power of Russia could elicit or stimulate the enmity of European powers as well. Therefore, Alexander I advised and proposed that in order to have stability on a continuous and long lasting basis, a constitution should come under formation in various other cities that include France, Poland, and certain states of Germany. During the last years of the ruling period, Alexander I added France into their coalition structure, which served to be one of the superlative achievements in the diplomatic period of Russia. This accomplishment by the Alexander I also came under notice that it signifies a new stage in the collaboration of the super powers15. Nonetheless, the abrupt and alleged death of Alexander I made him surround by several dissentions, which lead to the spread of rumors that he opted to disappear and live the rest of his life in anonymity. On the contrary, it has also come under observation that the legend’s death began with his obvious surrendering to illness. Therefore, by becoming eminent as an enigmatic tsar, Russian history also distinguishes Alexander I as a controversial figure16. Alexander I, the enigmatic tsar is the reformer or autocrat has come under several contentious debates and arguments, however, quite a substantiate proportion of the researchers and historians view him as a reformer and a diplomat throughout his entire period of influence rather than an autocrat. This is because; his father’s policies swayed and convinced him that he must dwell in the throne as a reformer emperor after his father17. Several attempts and endeavors came under performance by Alexander I as a tsar of Russia, to reform the administration of his colossal kingdom. While looking at the other end of the continuum, Alexander I had come under the recognition as an autocrat. This is due to the reason that Alexander I wanted Russia to be an autocrat state as according to his ideas that developed in the early stage of his life, autocracy would be the most suitable form of Russian government. In addition, the laws that ensure order and stability should come under performance in order to have a developed industry and trade that would lead to the dynamic growth of the state18. While looking at the entire supremacy of Alexander I, it has come to an observation that rather than being an autocrat and following his father’s legitimacy, he created his own in a unique and distinct way, which can be termed as liberal. Alexander I have been more of an emperor and a reformer for the entire duration of his power. This can come under evidence with all the facts that represents his achievements for Russia to make it more modernized and a diplomatic state of peace. In fact, all the contributions of his work depict the piece of information that he had lived for his people and state19. His success in foreign policy that resulted in winning of several campaigns also proves that he had followed to be a reformer. Alexander I had also acquired the diplomatic skills, which he has employed in the negotiation with various leaders of Europe. The autobiography reveals the verity that Alexander I has possessed the nature of diplomacy since his childhood period. In addition, he has been inspired by many figures that have led him to behave as a reformer and diplomat in his early period of supremacy20. This can come under authentication as the rapid supremacy of Europe over Russia became alarming for Alexander I, for which, Alexander I using his diplomatic expertise, stipulated with Napoleon upon the treaty for peace and influenced him that Russia would prove to be faithful ally of France. Napoleon became overwhelmed with this thought of Alexander I and accepted his friendship alliance. Being a diplomat, Alexander I then manipulated the French emperor not to have any demands from Russia. This resulted in withdrawal of France from Russia, which even came under the consideration as a disaster of the reformer and diplomat, Alexander I. Consequently, Russia tied strong bond with England with respect to commercials that lead to secured economy of Russia, which was important for future reference21. One of the major reforms that provide evidence of Alexander I as a reformer is the key emphasis on education and economy. Alexander I also segmented the number of schools to promote the education system in Russia for its growth and prosperity. While on the other hand, the agricultural economy also came under focus for the reformation. The records acquainted with the detail that a substantial percentage of inhabitants of Russia were principally engaged in farming. These plots of these farmers were on rent, and Alexander wanted to free all farmers and worked for it as well22. The later years of the dominance of Alexander I made him quite conservative due to which several of his reforms came under abolishment. This made Alexander I focus more on the foreign affairs where he met with few of greatest achievements.  Whilst having a glance at another aspect of Alexander I, it has come under demonstration by some of the historians and critics that the initial years of the power proved that Alexander had played the character of a reformer. Nevertheless, as his reign progressed eventually, he progressively became more autocratic in both domestic and foreign policies. The core and foremost reason that the historians and researchers provide with for the difficult and complex nature of Alexander I’s personality is the uptight and uneasy situations and incidents that encircles his childhood23. Critics often perceive that Alexander I was an emperor who fortified his autocratic privilege and beyond doubt did not had any intention to help or facilitate Russia with the constitution. One of the evaluations by the historians proposes that the education that Alexander I received was in the hands of a republican with the objective to make Alexander an autocrat, as they know the power and influence of and the underdeveloped political awareness of Russia at that time. In the conclusion, it can come under well expression that Alexander I was born in the epoch when Russia was in a state of violence, conquest, and Napoleonic Wars. Alexander I possessed the qualities of a great ruler, and thus this attribute made him under the consideration as one of the greatest conquerors in the history of Russia. Besides, his strong will and diplomatic skills made him achieve certain victories with reference to the foreign policies as well as domestic strategies. He also acquired the ability to think hard in difficult situations, which provided a lot of benefit to the state of Russia that was his ruling country. The life history of Alexander I provides the spectators with the fact that he has lived most of his life as a combatant and warrior. His strong personality coupled to a cheerful temperament and obedience distinguished him into a smart and brilliant man who used his intelligence not only when it came to warfare but also during his entire period of reign and when peace of Russia and Europe came under consideration24. With all the achievements or the weaknesses that Alexander I possesses, some schools of thoughts assert that the liberal reform of Alexander I was an effort an objective to win the popular support. While few of the critics believe that, his autocracy for Russia was incapable for rapidly implementing reforms. Quite a few of the major events that occurred in Alexander I’s epoch proved that he has been a diplomat all though his period of influence. Various interests of Russian state came under knowledgeable and convincing representation by Alexander I. Consequently, Alexander I descended in his dictatorship with reference to liberal and freethinking reforms, and thus, he has been comprehensively come under the consideration as one of the leading, dominant, and most persuasive tsars in the history of Russia and the world25. References Books, LLC. 2010. Russian Emperors: Nicholas Ii of Russia, Alexander Ii of Russia, Peter I of Russia, Alexander Iii of Russia, Alexander I of Russia. General Books LLC. Chapman, Tim. 2001. Imperial Russia, 1801-1905. Routledge. Dziewanowski, M. K. 1990. Alexander I: Russia's mysterious tsar. Hippocrene Books. Hartley, Janet M. 1994. Alexander I. Longman. Klimenko, Michael. 2002. Tsar Alexander I: portrait of an autocrat. Hermitage Publishers. Lee, Stephen J. 2001. Aspects of European history, 1789-1980. Routledge. Lloyd, Hannibal E. 2009. Alexander I., Emperor of Russia, Or, a Sketch of His Life and Reign. General Books LLC. McConnell, Allen. 1970. Tsar Alexander I; paternalistic reformer. Crowell. Nova Science Publishers. 2003. Political history and culture of Russia, Volume 19. Nova Science Publishers. Paleologue, Maurice. 2007. The Enigmatic Czar: The Life of Alexander I of Russia. Kessinger Publishing, LLC. Palmer, Alan R. & Palmer, Alan W. 1997. Alexander I: Tsar of war and peace. Phoenix Giant. Ragsdale, Hugh. 1993. Imperial Russian foreign policy. Cambridge University Press. Richmond, Simon. 2009. Russia. Lonely Planet. Troyat, Henri. 2002. Alexander of Russia: Napoleon's Conqueror. Grove Press. Troubetzkoy, Alexis S. 2002. Imperial legend: the mysterious disappearance of Tsar Alexander I. Arcade Publishing. Read More