The direction of Alexander's foreign policy 1 (briefly). Foreign Policy of Alexander 1

Briefly , Alexander's foreign policy is known to many. Of course, it's the same Russian emperor who managed to defeat Napoleon in his time. However, many prefer to stop at this, not knowing how much this person brought for the country. His skillful diplomacy and cunning, care for the Motherland can serve as a real example for contemporary Russian politicians.

The Third Anti-French Coalition

The France that boomed of revolutions in the late eighteenth century was an enemy for almost everyone. The monarchs feared that the Republican contagion would not visit their homes, and therefore they waged a lot of wars against the peddler state.

Alexander's father, Pavel, successfully participated in the first two coalitions against France. However, for his son, the beginning of the road in foreign policy began with a grandiose failure.

While Napoleon was steadily gaining power and turning his state into a mighty empire, the Third Anti-French coalition assembled from Russia, England and Austria. She had to not let the Corsican's plans come true.

Unfortunately, the Austrians, despite the support of the Russian army, quickly lost. Without looking at Kutuzov's demand not to give a decisive battle, Alexander 1 met Napoleon's army at Austerlitz, which ended in the grand victory of the French emperor and the strengthening of France as a potential world mistress.

If briefly, Alexander's foreign policy after this incident has changed greatly.

Alliance of enemies

Wise Alexander 1 saw in Bonaparte something that many did not notice - the absence in this man of the thought of losing. It was clear that now this Corsican with eyes burning with thirst for conquest can not be defeated. It is necessary to wait.

The direction of Alexander's foreign policy has changed dramatically. He broke off relations with Great Britain and personally met Napoleon on rafts in the middle of the river near the city of Tilsit.

It seemed that the agreement concluded there created extremely unsatisfactory conditions for the Russian Empire (the recognition of all the achievements of Bonaparte, the rejection of a number of areas conquered by Turkey). However, in fact it was more than a profitable world. There are at least two reasons for such an agreement.

1. Alexander 1 got the opportunity to focus on domestic politics, which also needed his presence.
2. In fact, such an agreement gave Russia peace of mind and untied hands in everything connected with the eastern part of the world. If everything went according to plans, there should have been two superpowers in the world - the Western Empire with Napoleon at the head and the Eastern Empire with Alexander 1.

It is necessary to distract from diplomacy and understand what the internal policy of Alexander 1 was (briefly, to understand further events).

Policy inside

The reign of Pavel's son 1 forever changed Russia. What was the new policy of Alexander 1? Briefly, this can be stated in four main directions.

1. For the first time, the Russian emperor decided to discuss the issue of the abolition of serfdom - one of the pillars of the Russian legal system. He even ordered the preparation of three projects. However, none of them was implemented. But the very fact of working with this topic shows a colossal change in the moral character of the country.
2. Deep reforms of power were carried out. This concerned the change in the state council, its final strengthening as the chief adviser to the emperor. In addition, many privileges were granted, and a single set of duties for the Senate was established.
3. But the most important is, of course, the ministerial reform, which created eight ministries. Their heads were obliged to report to the emperor and bear full responsibility for the subordinate branch.
4. The reform of education, through which literacy became accessible even to the lowest stratum of the population. Primary schools became free, and the hierarchy "secondary-higher" educational institution finally began to work fully.

Evaluation of Alexander's domestic policy 1 can be given objectively only on the basis of further events. Since all of his reforms played a decisive role.

The challenge of Bonaparte

What is the Patriotic War of 1812 , probably everyone knows. Usually, when the foreign policy of Alexander 1 is briefly described, only on it and stop. We note only the main facts of this event.

So, it all started with the treacherous attack of the French on Russia. It was really unexpected, because before that, as already said, a treaty beneficial to the French was signed. The reason for the invasion was Russia's refusal to actively support the British blockade. Bonaparte saw this as a betrayal and an unwillingness to cooperate.

What happened after, it is necessary to call the greatest mistake of the French emperor. After all, he did not know that Alexander 1 and Russia are not going to simply surrender, like many states before this. Kutuzov's strategic talent, which the Russian ruler now listened to, outplayed Napoleon's tactics.

Very soon the Russian troops were in Paris.

Other wars

Do not think that France was the only thing on which Alexander's foreign policy was based. Briefly, it is worth recalling his other conquests.

One of Alexander's achievements is the conflict between Russians and Swedes, which turned into a complete defeat of the latter. Thanks to the cunning and courage of Alexander 1, who ordered the transfer of troops through the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, the Russian Empire had the entire territory of Finland. In addition, Sweden, at that time the only big player in the European field, who tried to stay away from the conflict between France and England, had to boycott the UK.

Alexander 1 successfully helped the Serbs in gaining autonomy and successfully completed the Russian-Turkish campaign, which was one of the most important stages in the long confrontation between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. And of course, we can not help recalling the war with the Persians, which made Alexander 1 a full-fledged Asian player.

Results

This is the foreign policy of Alexander 1 (summarized).

The Russian emperor attached a large number of territories to the state: Transnistria (during the war with Turkey), Dagestan and Azerbaijan (because of confrontation with the Persians), Finland (thanks to the march to Sweden). He significantly raised the world authority of Russia and made the whole world finally take full measure of its homeland.

But, of course, how briefly the foreign policy of Alexander 1 would not be expounded, the main achievement of his will be the victory over Napoleon. Who knows what the world would be like if Russia were conquered then.