The era of the reign of the Russian emperor Alexander the First was marked in history by a significant expansion of state borders, skillful foreign policy and liberal indulgences in domestic legislation. The autocrat was respected by his subjects for wise decisions and, according to public opinion, was a good ruler who really cared about the state and the common people.
The future heir to the throne received his name in honor of Alexander Nevsky. Even in his youth, he was partially deaf in his left ear during military service – he was spoiled by the rumble of artillery guns. The imperial throne, Alexander I, received after the death of his father, who died as a result of a conspiracy. On his instructions in 1820 the first Russian constitution was written. It was Alexander I who first approved various ministries in the Russian Empire. Previously, such institutions in Russia did not exist. He was godfather of the famous English Queen Victoria.
The emperor was distinguished for his handsome posture and beauty. Napoleon Bonaparte once said that “if he were a woman, I would have fallen in love with him. In his declining years, Alexander I became a very pious man and repeatedly declared his desire to leave the throne and become an ascetic. After his death, it was rumored that the emperor’s twin had died, and the real Alexander I fulfilled his desire and simply left power. According to some sources, the emperor had more than a dozen of illegitimate children.
It was Alexander I who defeated Napoleon, who invaded Russia. When in the battle of Austerlitz, Russian soldiers, having suffered defeat, rushed to flee, the emperor who participated in the battle, tried to stop the panic, shouting “Stop! I’m with you! I am your king! ” Alexander I knew about the existence of secret societies, which later became Decembrists. However, he said that he had no right to pursue people whose views he himself had previously shared.
