Changes

==Terrorism and Downfall==

==Terrorism and Downfall==

Alexander's reforms eventually caused his downfall.  Like Russian leaders since [[Peter I]] Alexander was forced to struggle with the paradox that as he reformed his nation, he lost his power to reform (this is a lesson that would be seen again under [[Nicholas II]] and [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]).  Starting in the mid 1870s several terrorist groups sought his downfall as they feared his reforms would either end the prospect of revolution, or that they would end short of where they needed to go.  Several assassination attempts were made on his life including blowing up his apartments in the Winter Palace (the official residence of the tsar).  These attacks led to a crackdown on many of his reforms and with suppression came more acts of terror.  In the most ironically tragic turn of events Alexander was killed by a bomb on Sunday March 1st (O.S), 1881 just hours before he was going to sign a proclamation declaring rule by an advisory council (a rudimentary parliament) and a constitution.<ref>http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSalexander2.htm</ref>

Alexander's reforms eventually caused his downfall.  Like Russian leaders since [[Peter I]] Alexander was forced to struggle with the paradox that as he reformed his nation, he lost his power to reform (this is a lesson that would be seen again under [[Nicholas II]] and [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]).  Starting in the mid 1870s several terrorist groups sought his downfall as they feared his reforms would either end the prospect of revolution, or that they would end short of where they needed to go.  Several assassination attempts were made on his life including blowing up his apartments in the Winter Palace (the official residence of the tsar).  These attacks led to a crackdown on many of his reforms and with suppression came more acts of terror.  In the most ironically tragic turn of events Alexander was killed by a bomb on Sunday March 1 (O.S), 1881 just hours before he was going to sign a proclamation declaring rule by an advisory council (a rudimentary parliament) and a constitution.<ref>http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSalexander2.htm</ref>

==Legacy==

==Legacy==