The last chancellor of the Russian Empire, a major diplomat, a man who made history in a difficult period in the life of Russia, Prince A. M. Gorchakov was born 220 years ago, in 1798. Alexander Mikhailovich is a representative of an ancient family of Russian aristocrats, dating back to the reign of Yaroslav the Wise.
You, Gorchakov, are lucky from the first days…
He was a lyceum student of the famous first set of the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, who graduated with a gold medal. A. S. Pushkin dedicated the poem "October 19" to his classmate.
Interesting fact. The poet highly valued Gorchakov's opinion about his work. So, for example, after reading his poem “The Monk” to him at the Lyceum and hearing disapproval, he handed over the manuscript to the future chancellor of the Russian Empire for destruction. The prince kept Pushkin's work in his archive.
Gorchakov was one of the first graduates of the Lyceum to enter the civil service, as he renounced his parental inheritance in favor of his sisters. his careerflew up rapidly. As assistant to Foreign Minister Karl Nesselrode, he traveled to many European cities and participated in the congress of the Holy Alliance.
"Nerd" or "good grandfather"
The prince liked the diplomatic service. Looking at the soft expression on his face, half-smile, duck nose, squinted eyes, opponents made the mistake of assuming that they were seeing a “nerd”, “kind grandfather” or “armchair professor” in front of them. Contemporaries said that Gorchakov, with all his gloss and subtle wit, has the grip of a bull terrier, but manages not to leave bite marks.
Not supporting the line chosen by Nesselrod in the conduct of the country's foreign policy, he resigns and learns with bitterness about its signing. Three years Gorchakov does not serve. He spends a forced pause properly, marries Maria Alexandrovna Urusova.
Fate gave Alexander Mikhailovich a second chance. In 1841, he received a new appointment to Stuttgart, a few years later the future Chancellor of the Russian Empire - Envoy Extraordinary to the German Union.
Tough Trials
In 1853, the prince becomes a widower. As a result of a happy fifteen-year marriage, two sons were born, and the children of Maria Alexandrovna from her first marriage also grew up. A year later, the prince becomes ambassador to Vienna.
1856 brought hard trials, Russia lost the Crimean War. Forced to sign a humiliating treaty, she, along with Turkey, was deprived of the Black Sea Fleet. The Turks transferred their ships tothe Mediterranean Sea, and Russia had to destroy the remnants of the fleet and fortresses on the coast with her own hands. In such circumstances, Alexander II appoints Gorchakov to the post of Vice-Chancellor of the Russian Empire.
In a circular prepared for the tsar, Gorchakov proposed to increase attention to the country's internal problems, leaving active foreign policy activities for a while. Athletes call this “taking a time-out,” and in Gorchakov’s diplomatic language it sounded like this: “They say Russia is angry. No, she's concentrating.”
In 1867 he was appointed Chancellor of the Russian Empire. Gorchakov works tirelessly in the diplomatic field to eliminate the consequences of the Crimean War. Seeks and loses allies, influences the connection between France, Prussia and Germany, maneuvers between them. Finally, in 1870, he told the Tsar that the time had come for Russia to raise the issue of its "just claim." In the spring of 1871, the London Convention was published, according to which all articles of the ban on Russia's stay in the Black Sea were canceled.
It was the finest hour of the great diplomat, to which he walked a difficult and not direct path. The chancellor of the Russian Empire himself was proud of this event, as the main achievement of his diplomatic activity.
Retirement
The style of the last chancellor of the Russian Empire was as follows: without showing any cruelty or pressure, he did not give up and did not give a drop of achievements to his opponents. A sophisticated mind, an excellent education, secular tact made it possible for Alexander Mikhailovich to maneuverbetween the major powers, to defend the interests of Russia.
His last victory took place in 1875, when a quite middle-aged diplomat prevented Bismarck from attacking France again. A. M. Gorchakov’s invariable position was: “Support the weak against the strong, thereby weakening the strong.”
In 1882, the sick and no longer young prince completed his service as Minister of Foreign Affairs. But with the highest grace, the title of Chancellor of the Russian Empire remained with him until the end of his days.
Interesting fact. Gorchakov Alexander Mikhailovich was the last chancellor and the last lyceum student of the first set who left this world.
Prince Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov died in 1883, was buried in Strelna, at the Holy Trinity Cemetery.
