Nicholas I Pavlovich Romanov (1796-1855)

Russian Monarch. Imperial House of Romanov. Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias. Czar Nicholas I was born in Gatchina near St Petersburg, Russia. His Majesty's father was Czar Paul I. Nicholas I married Princess Charlotta, the daughter of King Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia. Grand Duke Nicholas became Emperor in 1825 upon the death of his brother, Czar Alexander I, and the refusal of his older brother, Grand Duke Konstantin, to assume the Crown. Czar Nicholas' first act in 1825 was to suppress the Decembrist revolt. As a result of this revolt, the Emperor determined to prevent any further revolutions. Stablity in Russia and Europe was the focus of the Czar's policy. Czar Nicholas I established the Holy Alliance with Prussia and Austria, agreeing to come to each other's aid to suppress revolution. As a result of this policy, the Czar crushed a revolution in Russian-held Poland and in the Austrian domain of Hungary. Liberal policies were restricted and debates of liberal issues were suppressed. The education system was restricted and inadequate in order to prevent the teaching of liberal ideas to the nobility or the common people. Emperor Nicholas I tightened the bureaucracy. All policies were decided by the Czar, the cabinet ministers were agents of the Imperial Will. Russia was slow to industrialize, and commerce heavily depended upon the export of agricultural commodities through the Dardanelles. This need led to Russia's involvement in the Crimean War. Czar Nicholas I died in the Winter Palace and is buried in the Fortress of St. Peter & St. Paul in St. Petersburg, Russia. His Majesty's son became Czar Alexander II.

Bio by: John Hinkle