1. Claimed the Throne: Alexander acted swiftly to secure the throne by being proclaimed the new Tsar (emperor) of Russia. With strong support from the military, he immediately consolidated power to prevent opposition or rival claimants.
2. Investigation and Arrests: Alexander ordered a thorough investigation into the assassination of his father, Tsar Alexander II. Suspects were arrested, and those found to be involved in the plot were charged with treason.
3. Public Mourning and Funerals: Alexander arranged the transport of his father's body back to St. Petersburg and organized a state funeral. He displayed strong emotions during the public mourning period and expressed his deep sorrow for the tragic event.
4. Stricter Security: Alexander realized that the assassination highlighted the vulnerability of the monarchy to revolutionary groups. To ensure stronger security, he made substantial changes to the palace guard, secret police, and internal security apparatus to prevent further attempts on his life.
5. Crackdown on Radical Movements: Alexander initiated harsh measures against radical political movements, particularly the "Narodnaya Volya" (People's Will) group, which had carried out the assassination. He believed in a policy of repression to deter future revolutionary activities.
6. Policy Changes: In the aftermath of his father's assassination, Alexander III moved away from some of the more liberal reforms that had marked the earlier years of his father's reign. He shifted towards more conservative policies and emphasized strengthening autocracy and preserving the power of the monarchy.
7. Censorship and Control: Alexander III imposed stricter censorship of the press and intensified efforts to control public discourse. He believed that radical ideas could influence the population, and he sought to suppress subversive materials.
8. Strengthening the Imperial Family: To protect his family and the future of the Romanov dynasty, Alexander reinforced the security of the imperial residence and made substantial changes to prevent any potential threats to the throne.
Alexander III's response to the assassination of his father was multifaceted, involving a combination of grief, consolidation of power, crackdown on radical movements, policy changes, and heightened security measures. His actions set the tone for his reign, which was marked by a more conservative approach and strengthened autocracy in the face of revolutionary challenges.