Tsar Alexander I, liberator of Europe, 2005

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Tep

Identifier: b2087661

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate History program. The holdings are bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

From the Collection:

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations Publishing website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2005

Creator

Tepfenhart, Mariana (Author, Person)
Adekunle, Julius (Julius O.) (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

1 Items (print book) : 131 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Introduction [excerpt]

This paper demonstrates that Tsar Alexander I was genuine in his desire to liberate Europe and to bring stability to the continent. He was a revolutionary leader who embarked on a crusade to establish a new order in Europe. He was a champion of lost causes and his actions were not motivated by personal ambitions. He used his authority at the Congress of Vienna and the period after to enforce his vision for territorial and constitutional settlement of Europe. He believed in constitutions and reforms but thought these should be under the control of the ruler. Alexander did not think that all nations developed at the same pace politically and, therefore, not all nations should benefit from constitutions at the same time....

This thesis deals with the period from the birth of Tsar Alexander in 1777 to his death in 1825. During this period, the French Revolution challenged the divine right of kings to rule countries. Napoleon and his army shocked rulers throughout Europe with their conquests. After Russia defeated Napoleon in 1812, a process of intense negotiations began between Russia, Prussia, Austria, Great Britain and France, in an effort to create a balance of power that would be considered resonable by all parties.

In Chapter II, "Alexander's Early Life," the social milieu, the individuals and the events that shaped Alexander's character and his complex personality are discussed. This chapter establishes the influence that family, friends and tutors had on Alexander and the events that captapulted him to the throne.

Chapter III, "The World Alexander Inherited," presents an overview of the political and social situations in Europe and Russia, prior to Alexander's accession to the throne. It describes how Russia was viewed by Europe at the beginning of his reign and the immediate steps he took upon becoming Tsar based on the social climate within Russia.

Chapter IV, "Alexander Changes the World," begins with general characteristics of Russian foreign policy before Alexander and underlines traits in his diplomacy carried over from previous reigns. The chapter describes Alexander's endeavor to construct an international coalition against Napoleon and to buy time to prepare for a future war with France. It continues with the presentation of the sequence of events that led to the emergence of Russia as a strong European power.

Chapter V, "Alexander liberates Europe," emphasizes the dominant role of the Tsar in the total defeat of the French Army, the settlements at the Congress of Vienna and the Congress System that followed.

The concluding chapter summarizes his actions to show that Alexander was sincere in his desire for peace in Europe. He believed that it was his mission to establish law and order on the continent, for the benefit of all countries, large or small.