Alexander II (Alexander II, 1818-1881) was Emperor of Russia from 1855 until his assassination in 1881. Known as the “Liberator Tsar,” he is famous for abolishing serfdom in 1861, one of the most important social and economic reforms in Russian history.

He was born in Moscow, the son of Nicholas I and Alexandra Fyodorovna. He ascended to the throne during the Crimean War (1853-1856), which highlighted the need to modernize Russia. In addition to freeing serfs, Alexander II made reforms in the judiciary, local government and the military. At the same time, he strengthened Russian influence in Central Asia and sold Alaska to the United States in 1867.

However, his reforms have generated both support and strong opposition. Liberals considered the changes insufficient, while conservatives saw them as a threat to the regime. Alexander II was constantly confronted by revolutionary movements, culminating in his assassination by members of the Narodilla Volia (People’s Will) in 1881 in St Petersburg.

The hegemony of Alexander II is characterised by a complex legacy, as he combined the ambition for modernisation with the challenges of an empire in crisis.