Conclusion

Abstract

At his audience with the British Ambassador on 17 December 1849 the Tsar was still feeling pleased by the success of the Russian intervention in Hungary which had succeeded ‘beyond his expectations’. It was, however, apparent to Bloomfield that Nicholas remained completely unaware of the political significance of the events of 1848 and 1849. More convinced than ever of the superiority of absolute government and the irresistibility of his vast power, the Tsar clearly believed he could dictate the law to most of Europe.¹ The ambassador’s views were shared by others close to the Tsar such as Prince Menshikov, the Minister of the Navy, who considered that after the Hungarian campaign the Tsar was ‘drunk with success’ and so convinced of his own omnipotence that he would not listen to reason.² Others in Russian society were also far from certain of the long-term benefits of the campaign, which appeared to have done little more than flatter the Tsar’s vanity.³ Abroad it seemed to many that Russia had touched ‘the pinnacle of greatness’ and by seeking no reward for assisting Austria the Tsar had demonstrated that his power ‘was wielded in a spirit of austere virtue, ranging high above common ambition’.⁴