Alexander 1

In the 19th century, social restrictions on women were so severe that they literally regulated every minute of their lives. Restrictions on movement and space. Restaurant ban. A woman could not enter a restaurant or café without being accompanied by a male member of her family. Window shopping. While out for a walk, women were forbidden from gazing at shop windows for too long, as this was considered vulgar. Hotel taboo. A single woman could not check into a respectable hotel on her own—she would simply be refused a room. Walks in the park. Walking in public parks before noon was prohibited. It was considered that "undesirable" people frequented them at this time. Financial and legal restrictions. Male control. A married woman could not open a bank account in her own name without her husband's written consent. Property dispossession. In the early and mid-century, upon marriage, all of a woman's personal property automatically became the sole property of her husband. Contract ban. Women were not allowed to sign legal documents, leases, or purchase real estate. Passport control. A woman could not obtain a passport or travel without the official permission of her father or husband. Behavior and physiology. Pregnancy taboo. Pregnant women were required to lead a reclusive, secretive lifestyle and avoid public appearances as soon as changes in their figure became noticeable. Sports ban. Vigorous physical activity was considered harmful to a woman's nature. The only permitted activities were horseback riding (in a special sideways saddle) and light croquet. Eating in public. At dinner parties, ladies were expected to eat tiny portions and extremely slowly. A voracious appetite was considered a sign of bad taste. Laughter control. Loud laughter was equated with hysteria or promiscuity. A woman could only smile quietly and restrainedly.

In the 19th century, the life of a society lady was governed by a strict code of rules, where every action—from her gaze to her choice of dress—was significant. The main rule: Impeccable modesty. A lady should never attract undue attention to herself, laugh loudly, or display excessive emotion in public. Rules of behavior in society: No loneliness. An unmarried girl could not be on the street or in public without the company of her mother, a female relative, or a companion. Conversation restrictions: It was forbidden to initiate conversation with strangers. The art of conversation: Discussing politics, religion, money, illness, and other people's gossip was forbidden. Topics such as art, weather, and travel were permitted. The language of the fan: The swing and position of the fan served as a secret code. For example, a fan pressed to the lips meant "I don't trust you." Balls and dances: Carné (ball book). A lady wrote down the names of her suitors for each dance. Promising two men the same dance was considered shameful. Waltz restrictions. Due to the close contact, waltzing with the same man more than twice in an evening was considered improper. Refusing a suitor. If a lady refused one suitor, she had no right to dance the same dance with another that same evening. Appearance and clothing. Change of clothes. A lady changed clothes up to 4-6 times a day (morning dress, visiting dress, dress for walks, evening dress, ball gown). Gloves. Leaving the house without gloves was the height of impropriety. At a ball, they were removed only during dinner. Cosmetics were prohibited. Heavy makeup was considered a sign of women of low morals. Only rice powder and a drop of perfume were allowed.

GW2RU ☰ 5 facts about Alexander I Georgy Manaev October 9, 2024 Texts 5 facts about Alexander I Discover Russia (Public Domain; British Royal Collection) Why did the Tsar often stroll the streets of St. Petersburg without an entourage or guards, but was suspicious when with subordinates? How did he defeat Napoleon without commanding an army himself? And who called him "a sphinx, unsolved to the grave"?

1. He was the first Tsar Alexander in the Romanov dynasty. Public domain Stepan Shchukin. Emperor Alexander Pavlovich Public domain The first son of Pavel Petrovich and Maria Feodorovna, Alexander received his name from his grandmother, Catherine the Great. He was named after the great military leader Alexander the Great, and baptized with the name of the Russian prince Alexander Nevsky. This name was not typical for the Romanov line – previously, it had only been given to Tsarevich Alexander Petrovich (1691-1692), the son of Peter I, who lived only seven months.

Private collection Little Alexander Pavlovich Private collection Immediately after his birth, Alexander's grandmother took him from his mother, and he spent his childhood at Catherine's residence, Tsarskoye Selo. Alexander was almost pure German by birth and was raised by the Swiss general Frédéric de La Harpe. Alexander received an excellent education: he spoke fluent French, German, and English, and knew history, geography, and mathematics. Historians generally agree that Catherine planned to pass the throne to her favorite grandson, bypassing her son, Pavel Petrovich, whom she considered unfit to rule Russia.

2. He knew about the conspiracy against his father. Russian Museum Borovikovsky V. L. Portrait of Alexander I, 1802-1803 Russian Museum The instigator of the conspiracy against Emperor Paul I was Count Peter Pahlen, the military governor of St. Petersburg and the emperor's closest ally. In the final months of his life, Paul was in conflict with his entire family, a situation Pahlen exploited.

The Count showed Tsarevich Alexander a secret document signed by Paul, in which the Emperor gave his consent to the imprisonment of the Tsarevich in the fortress.

The emperor was distinguished by his stately posture and handsome appearance. Napoleon Bonaparte once openly admired his beauty (see interesting facts about Napoleon). In his later years, Alexander I became a deeply religious man and repeatedly stated his desire to renounce the throne and become an ascetic. After his death, rumors circulated that the emperor's double had died, and the real Alexander I had fulfilled his wish and simply relinquished power. According to some sources, the emperor had more than a dozen illegitimate children. It was Alexander I who defeated Napoleon, who invaded Russia. When the Russian soldiers, defeated at the Battle of Austerlitz, fled, the Emperor, who was present at the battle, tried to stop the panic by shouting, "Stop! I am with you! I am your Tsar!" Alexander I knew of the existence of the secret societies that later became the Decembrists. However, he declared that he had no right to persecute people whose views he himself had previously shared.

The reign of Russian Emperor Alexander I was marked by a significant expansion of state borders, a skillful foreign policy, and liberal relaxations in domestic legislation. The autocrat was respected by his subjects for his wise decisions and, according to public opinion, was a good ruler who truly cared for both the state and the common people. The future heir to the throne was named after Alexander Nevsky. Even in his youth, he became partially deaf in his left ear during military service – his hearing was damaged by the roar of artillery guns. Alexander I received the imperial throne after the death of his father, who died as a result of a conspiracy (see interesting facts about Paul I). On his orders, the first Russian constitution was written in 1820. It was Alexander who first established various ministries in the Russian Empire. Such institutions had not previously existed in Russia. He was the godfather of the famous English Queen Victoria.