Alexander I, Czar of Russia
(1777-1825)

Alexander I of Russia, succeeded his father, Paul I as Emperor in 1801. During his early years he initiated many reforms, improving the condition of the serfs and founding universities, although later in his life he became disillusioned and abandoned many of the reforms. In 1805, he joined England and Austria against Napoleon. However, as Napoleonic troops won at Austerlitz and Napoleon proposed joint Franco-Russian domination in Europe, Czar Alexander entered into amicable relations with Napoleon until Napoleon decided to to invade Russia to stop Russians from encouraging British trade. Almost the whole French army was destroyed during a six-month campaign from June to December 1812. After Napoleon's return to France, Alexander I was a prominent leader in the European coalition against Napoleon. In 1815, after Napoleon's defeat, he helped form the Holy Alliance of Austria, Russia and Prussia, the goals of which were to reestablish conservative thinking and institutions. The rest of his reign can be described as reactionary and despotic. He was succeeded by his brother Nicholas I, notorious for his absolutism and strong opposition to any liberal reforms or independence.