Carnal Facts About Alexander II, The Playboy Tsar
Tsar Alexander II of Russia stood at the crossroads of history—after all, his reign paved the way to the fall of the Romanov empire. And when you look at his scandalous life, it’s no wonder why it ended in tragedy.
From secret, explosive letters to his utterly violent and shocking end, Alexander makes the mad, power-hungry Tsars that came before and after him look downright innocent.
Tsar Alexander II Facts
1. He Was A Royal Mistake
Alexander was never supposed to be the Tsar of all Russia. Born in 1818, he was merely the nephew of the current Tsar, Alexander I. But a twist of fate thrust him into power. When our Alexander was still a young boy, the throne went to his father, who became Tsar Nicholas I, and suddenly Alexander was heir apparent. This…was not a good thing.
2. His Father Was A Harsh Master
Life as a Russian Prince shouldn’t have been so bad, but Alexander’s childhood was a nightmare. His father Tsar Nicholas had always been a strict stick-in-the-mud, but once he took the throne, it got much worse.
For years, the Emperor kept an iron grip on his son as well as his country. It’s a small wonder, then, that Alexander rebelled in a big way.
3. He Was Unpredictable
As Alexander grew up, he became the total opposite of his father: A liberal and a libertine. Infamous for his boundless energy and impulsive nature, he once befriended and then pardoned the radical, imprisoned Russian poet Alexander Herzen on a whim.
By the time he turned 21, Alexander’s parents were desperate to get him to settle down—and they had just the idea.
