What czar turned Russia into a police state?

Alexander III ruled Russia from 1881-1894. He took over the throne as czar after the assassination of his father, Alexander II. Alexander II had been known as "Czar Liberator" because of the reforms he introduced, including ending serfdom in Russia. But following Alexander II's assassination, Alexander III took the country back in a much more conservative and reactionary direction. He focused on reinforcing the autocratic power of the czar. A secret police force was created to crack down on any possible disobedience or dissidence against the royal government. This police force came to be known as the Okhrana. (meaning the "Security" or "Guard").

The Okhrana existed first and foremost to protect the czar and his family. But the secret police also existed to protect the power of the czar and his control of the nation. By early in Alexander III's reign, the security police were targeting terrorists, anarchists and labor movements across the country in order to crack down on any threats to czarist authority.