How Serious Were The Problems Facing Nicholas I at the Start of His Reign

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How Serious Were The Problems Facing Nicholas I at the Start of His Reign?

Nicholas I faced a series of problems ranging in severity at the start of his reign as Tsar, including the Decembrists conspiracy, the Polish revolt and the Russian economy.

However the first problem of Nicholas’ reign was in fact the problem of who would become Tsar, himself of his brother Constantine.  Since the previous Tsar, Alexander I, had had no children, the rightful heir was his brother Constantine, and next in line was his younger brother Nicholas.  With news that Constantine had married and Polish Catholic and renounced his claim to the throne, Nicholas’ was to publish a manifesto declaring himself Tsar.  But Milaroadovich, the Governor General of St Petersburg, reminded Nicholas of the custom of proclaiming the eldest living heir Tsar.  With this advice given, Nicholas decided to take it, as he knew that the Guards had previously played a part in the succession of many a Tsar.  Therefore Nicholas proclaimed Constantine Tsar only for Constantine to do the same to Nicholas.  In the end, Constantine refused to travel to St Petersburg from Warsaw, and renounced his claim to the throne and thus proclaimed Nicholas I Tsar.

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The problem of the succession itself was not too serious but the fact that the Tsar and its administration were in a state of flux had some serious repercussions.  This gave more breathing space for the Decembrists to plan their assassination attempt on Nicholas.  On 14th December 1825, Nicholas was ready for the Oath of Allegiance ceremony.  On that day Nicholas had been informed of both the Northern Society and the Southern Society by General Miloradovich.  The general informed Nicholas that the Northern Society’s activities were being monitored, which was true, and that they posed no real threat, which was ...

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