Who was Alexander II of Russia?

Tsar Alexander II was the ruler of Russia from 1855 to
1881.  He is best remembered for the fact that he was the Tsar who ended serfdom in
Russia.  He was assassinated in 1881 by revolutionaries who used bombs to kill
him.

Alexander II was one of many leaders of Russia who
tried to modernize the country.  His liberation of the serfs was the most dramatic
single part of this effort.  Alexander II also tried to introduce more democracy into
Russia.  For example, he set up local governments that were elected and gave them a
great deal of power over their areas.  He also introduced legal reforms like trial by
jury.

Alexander II did not always believe in
liberalization, though.  He was willing to crack down on political dissenters.  It is
believed that treason trials that he instigated led to his death because they gave
publicity to people who were upset with his rule and helped to radicalize a group of
people who ended up assassinating him.