Under the influence of Konstantin Pobedonostsev β , he acted to maximize his autocratic powers. His political legacy represented a direct challenge to the European cultural order set forth by German statesman Otto von Bismarck , intermingling Russian influences with the shifting balances of power. He was born during the reign of his grandfather Nicholas I. Though he was destined to be a strongly counter-reforming emperor, Alexander had little prospect of succeeding to the throne during the first two decades of his life, as he had an elder brother, Nicholas , who seemed of robust constitution.
Great solicitude was devoted to the education of Nicholas as tsesarevich , whereas Alexander received only the training of an ordinary Grand Duke of that period. This included acquaintance with French , English and German , and military drill. Alexander became tsesarevich upon Nicholas's sudden death in He had been very close to his older brother, and he was devastated. When he became tsar , he reflected that "no one had such an impact on my life as my dear brother and friend Nixa [Nicholas]" [ 6 ] and lamented that "a terrible responsibility fell on my shoulders" when Nicholas died.
As tsesarevich , Alexander began to study the principles of law and administration under Konstantin Pobedonostsev , then a professor of civil law at Moscow State University and later from chief procurator of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in Russia.
Pobedonostsev instilled into the young man's mind the belief that zeal for Russian Orthodox thought was an essential factor of Russian patriotism to be cultivated by every right-minded emperor. While he was heir apparent from to Alexander did not play a prominent part in public affairs, but allowed it to become known that he had ideas which did not coincide with the principles of the existing government. On 2 June , Alexander went to Copenhagen to visit Dagmar.
When they were looking at photographs of the deceased Nicholas, Alexander proposed to Dagmar. The union proved a happy one to the end; unlike many of his predecessors since Peter I, there was no adultery in his marriage. The couple spent their wedding night at the Tsarevich's private dacha known as "My Property".
