Palace coups as a social phenomenon of the 18th century. Palace coups of the mid-18th century

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ST. PETERSBURG STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

ABSTRACT

THE PHENOMENON OF FAVORITISM IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE

Checked by: Associate Professor,

Candidate of Philosophical Sciences Popov D. G.

Completed by: 1st year IPL student

Lapparova K. F.

Saint Petersburg

Introduction

Concept of favoritism

Favorite of Peter I

Anna Ioannovna's favorite

Favorite of Catherine II

Favorite of Nicholas II

Conclusion

Used sources

Introduction

The phenomenon of favoritism in the Russian Empire is certainly of great interest not only as an important historical issue, but also as a sociocultural phenomenon. This topic still causes a lot of discussion, we can say that it is still relevant, because its importance is due primarily to the fact that it helps to consider prominent statesmen as people susceptible to emotions. The question “should it be worth transferring personal relationships into the business sphere” or not to confuse work with private life has always evoked many different reactions, and whatever the answers, people tend to show personal likes and dislikes even in those areas of life where this is not typical .

The purpose of the essay is to examine such a phenomenon as favoritism in the Russian Empire. The tasks to be solved in the course of this work include investigating the activities of some of the most famous historical figures who achieved a high position in the Russian Empire thanks to the patronage and sympathy of one or another emperor, and identifying the positive or negative consequences of their activities. Who were these people? How did they become favorites of royalty? What did they do for the country and how did it turn out? These are the questions that need to be answered.

Concept of favoritism

A phenomenon is an exceptionally rare, unusual occurrence.1 “a remarkable thing or a person” The Oxford Dictionary defines favoritism as “the practice of showing favoritism to a person or group of persons to the detriment of others.”2“ the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another

If we consider favoritism from a historical aspect, its concept can be formulated as a socio-cultural phenomenon that existed in the royal courts (mainly in Europe), the purpose of which was to elevate a specific person or group of people due to the personal favor of the monarch. Moreover, this affection could not be due precisely to intimate relationships; the main reason lies in the desire of the monarch to create a group of persons personally devoted to him, in whose loyalty he could be sure. favorite era absolutism

The most widespread practice of favoritism was in the Age of Absolutism, when the concept of “official favorite” even existed at court.

In the Russian Empire, favoritism became an entire socio-political system in which the personal relationship of the sovereign to the favorite could become the driving force in the career of the favorite and his relatives; favorites played a huge role not only at court, but throughout the state. Their words had a great influence on the final decisions on this or that issue, and since sometimes the favorites of the monarchs were people who were far from political games, this did not have the best effect on the current state of affairs. It is believed that the Russian Empire suffered enormous damage from the so-called favorites of the rulers, and not only in material terms. It is known that the favorites of the emperors had almost unlimited access to the state treasury, but in addition to this, they were able to turn the course of things the way they wanted.

Favoritism reached great proportions in the Russian Empire, and the favorites of the ruling officials often became persons of no small importance in the state, so they talk about the “phenomenon of favoritism” in the Russian Empire. Next, we will consider the favorites of the Russian emperors who had the greatest influence on the course of public life and history.

Favorite of Peter I

A. D. Menshikov

If, regarding the favorites of the empresses, it can be said that the reason for their rise was heartfelt affection, the same can hardly be said about the great Emperor Peter I. “Alexashka,” the future “Prince Alexander Menshikov of the Roman and Russian States,” caught the eye of Peter while in the service of Franz Lefort, according to one version, and according to the second, when he was trading under the windows of the royal palace. The young people quickly became good friends - so good that Menshikov “gifted” his mistress Marta Skavronskaya, the future Empress Ekaterina Alekseevna, to Peter, which later served him well - after Peter’s death in 1725, Menshikov practically took the reins of power from the emperor’s widow3 “half-tsar”

Having become Peter’s orderly at the age of fourteen, Menshikov participated in the creation of “amusing troops”, together with the emperor he learned the basics of shipbuilding in the Amsterdam shipyards, studied artillery and fortification in London, and personally cut off the heads of a couple of dozen archers who rebelled against Peter. Menshikov may have made a fake genealogy for himself, and although historians describe him as one of the most greedy and selfish people in the empire (he is known for his exorbitant bribes and embezzlement, for which he was fined many times), his role in the history of the Russian Empire was not purely negative. Endowed by nature with a sharp mind, excellent memory and great energy, Alexander Danilovich always carried out orders with zeal, knew how to keep secrets and, like no one else, could soften Peter’s hot temper. He received the greatest distinction during the Northern War (1700-1721), winning a naval battle with the Swedes in the spring of 1703, defeating the Swedish-Polish corps near Kalisz in 1706, and playing a large role in the battle of Poltava in 1709, where he first commanded vanguard, then left flank. From 1703 he was Governor-General of St. Petersburg, supervised the construction of Kronstadt, shipyards on the Neva and Svir, Petrovsky and Povenets cannon factories, and also formed the Ingermanland Regiment.

In 1724, Peter's patience finally snapped, and he was subjected to disgrace, but in 1725 he was admitted to the emperor's deathbed, which was assessed as forgiveness. But after the death of his patron, he was still exiled by decree of thirteen-year-old Peter II and deprived of all awards.

Anna Ioannovna's favorite

Ernst Johann Biron

At the end of 1727 - beginning of 1728, Empress Anna Ioannovna had a new favorite - the Courland nobleman Ernst Johann Biron. From that time until the end of her days she never parted with him. It is known that while studying at the University of Konigsberg, he went to prison for killing a soldier in a night fight between students and guards. With great difficulty, having escaped from prison, around 1718, after an unsuccessful attempt to find service in Moscow, he landed at Anna’s court and established himself in the duchess’s entourage. He served diligently, carrying out the orders of the Chief Chamberlain and quickly consoled the widow who was grieving alone: Anna completely submitted to his influence. There is a version according to which the youngest son of the Biron couple is the child of the empress, this confirms that the boy constantly accompanied her even without his parents.

In August 1730, Anna began to hastily create, to the great displeasure of the guard, a new guards regiment - Izmailovsky. It was commanded mainly by foreigners led by K. G. Levenwolde and Biron's brother Gustav. The soldiers were recruited not from Moscow nobles, as was customary since the time of Peter the Great, but from small and poor nobles of the southern outskirts of the state - people far from the capital's political games. Anna probably counted on the loyalty of these people in future critical moments of her reign.

The Cabinet of Ministers was created in 1731. The new institution included very trusted dignitaries: G. I. Golovkin, A. I. Osterman, Prince A. M. Cherkassky, and later P. I. Yaguzhinsky, A. P. Volynsky. The new institution had enormous power - the signatures of its ministers were equal to the signature of the empress, although only she had the right to decide what to take upon herself and what to entrust to her ministers. The entire mass of current affairs was concentrated in the Cabinet, those that Anna could not and did not want to solve. The main driving force of the institution was Count Osterman, who bore the brunt of the work. Biron did not trust Osterman - he was too two-faced, but, appreciating the business qualities of the vice-chancellor, he was forced to take him into account.

As a counterbalance to Osterman, the favorite included in the Yaguzhinsky Cabinet - the former Prosecutor General of Peter I, a direct and sharp man, and after his death in 1736 - A. P. Volynsky, an intelligent, ambitious dignitary and as ardent and sharp as Yaguzhinsky. Biron himself was demonstratively not a member of this institution, remaining only the chief chamberlain, but without his knowledge and approval not a single important decision was made in the Cabinet. The ministers, reporting on matters in the empress's apartments, guessed that not only the yawning Anna was listening to them, but also the favorite sitting behind the screen. It was he who had the last word. He also selected ministers and other officials.

Anna's accession opened dizzying horizons for Biron. Already in June 1730, Anna obtained from the Austrian Emperor the title of count for him, and in the fall Biron became a Knight of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called and Chief Chamberlain, so that this position would look more respectable, in the Table of Ranks - a document regulating the career advancement of military officers, officials and courtiers, changes were made, and the newly-minted chief chamberlain, together with the rank, “moved” from the fourth class directly to the second class. But Biron’s most cherished dream was to become Duke of Courland, to take the still empty throne in Mitau as a base for a possible retreat. And he carried out his plan, having acquired Mitau, but he was able to move there only after leaving prison - he was arrested in 1740, accusing him of “seizing the regency,” “negligence for the health of the late empress,” and even that she gave him expensive gifts.

Ideas about “Bironovism” are, in fact, greatly exaggerated. The dominance of foreigners is explained by the policy of Anna Leopoldovna, who moved the capital back to St. Petersburg, thereby returning to the European line of Peter I. The fact that he was supposedly a selfish and greedy person is essentially indicated by nothing except the letters of his ardent opponents. It’s true that he didn’t really respect the Russian people, but at the same time he sought their approval and popularity - that’s what was really important to him. As for embezzlement, there is no direct evidence, again, except for letters, but there is undoubted evidence that he repeatedly rejected large monetary “gifts.”

Favorite of Catherine II

G. A. Potemkin-Tavrichesky

Favoritism during the reign of Catherine II acquired wide proportions and, although many condemn her for this, especially for the frequent change of favorites, the empress never allowed any favorite to take over her in political affairs, as was the case with Anna Ioannovna or Anna Leopoldovna, after The “break” did not haunt them and did not put them into disgrace, as an ordinary woman would have done.

From the impressive list of favorites (Grigory Orlov, Vasilchikov, Potemkin, Zavadovsky, Zorich, Korsakov, Lanskoy, Ermolov, Mamonov, Zubov), one should especially highlight Prince Grigory Potemkin, who was not only a close friend of the Empress until her death, but also had a great influence on life of the Russian Empire.

Having taken part in the palace coup of 1762, after which Catherine III ascended the throne of the Russian Empire, Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin, the son of a Smolensk nobleman, who was a sergeant under Peter III, undoubtedly attracted the attention of the empress. Returning from the Russian-Turkish War (1768-1774), in which he distinguished himself, he was appointed adjutant general to the empress, and this marked the beginning of a new phase in the political history of the reign of Catherine II. He provided great assistance in suppressing the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev, in the destruction of the Zaporozhye Sich, after which he was elevated to the title of count.

There was a very strong and affectionate relationship between Potemkin and Catherine II, as evidenced by their correspondence and remaining documents. “If I had been given a husband whom I could love,” she wrote in “Frank Confession,” “I would never have changed for him...” There are also rumors about their secret engagement, as evidenced by letters in which the Empress calls the prince “husband” and “dear and beloved husband.” “Because of power, and not because of love,” the physical passion between them faded away quite quickly, but the trusting relationship remained until Potemkin’s death in 1791.

A talented and original person who had the gift of intuitively comprehending the essence of things, Potemkin was at the same time pious and even superstitious and passionate about the history of the church. Of all Catherine's lovers and associates, Potemkin was undoubtedly the most Russian in spirit, the least susceptible to cold Western rationalism. Like Alexey Orlov, he was cast by nature in the image of an ancient Russian epic hero, a hero4 “colossal like Russia”. The prince was a patron of the arts, literature, and especially music; his extravagant costumes, jewelry, goals, carriages, horses, palaces and gardens became legendary. He had almost unlimited access to the state treasury and the personal pocket of the empress. Boundless generosity towards her favorites was in Catherine's character, but even this generosity was not enough to satisfy Potemkin's extensive needs. Although he spent indiscriminately both government and his own money for both state and personal purposes, he always did not have enough of it.

In 1776, Potemkin was appointed governor-general of the Novorossiysk region, which was formed on the site of the abolished Sich and received the title “most serene” as a result of receiving the Order of the Holy Roman Empire. The title “Tavrichesky” was awarded to him by the highest decree. He contributed to the active attraction of the Orthodox population from the Balkans to the newly formed Novorossiya, and also founded the city of Yekaterinoslav. In 1780 he initiated the annexation of Crimea to Russia, which took place in 1783.

His Serene Highness did not get along with the heir to the throne, Paul I. Paul suffered because of the existence of his mother’s favorites - the enormous sums that Catherine spent on them, especially on Potemkin, of course, clearly showed her son, who was always in debt, what a big difference there was between him and any from favorites. Constantly dissatisfied with his removal from power, Pavel also suffered from his mother’s complete inattention to all his proposals aimed at the good of the state.

Potemkin was an ardent supporter of the "Greek project", which provided for the displacement of the Greek ruler by the grandson of Catherine II and rapprochement with Austria, while Paul was drawn towards Prussia. The Empress was on Potemkin’s side, and because of this, conflicts between the future emperor and his mother’s favorite reached great bitterness. Their relationship deteriorated further due to Potemkin's policies as president of the Military Collegium. The Tsarevich was forced to watch as Potemkin reformed the Russian army. It is quite difficult for a non-specialist to assess the achievements of His Serene Highness in this area. Many of the innovations he introduced were severely criticized by his contemporaries, but they often did this for selfish reasons. Potemkin was accused of focusing too much on the light cavalry, especially the Cossack troops. Others complained that the prince seemed to undermine discipline in an effort to gain popularity among ordinary soldiers. He certainly received their gratitude by introducing a new, simple uniform, eliminating all "braids, hats, flaps and piping." The prince also tried to soften the treatment of officers with soldiers and the approach to the officers themselves in military regulations, and showed concern for the food supply and medical care of the army. And the fleet he created in Kherson is difficult to underestimate in any way.

In 1787, a second war broke out with Turkey, in which he had to take on the role of commander. The war was not waged energetically; high hopes were placed on Potemkin, but he was in no hurry to justify them. And here the empress did not leave her favorite; she supported him in every possible way through letters, and slowly but surely he achieved success and returned to St. Petersburg as a hero, surrounded by even greater glory.

Death overtook him at the age of fifty-two on the way from Iasi to Nikolaev. The Empress was broken by the news: “Nothing will ever be the same again,” she wrote in a letter to her old friend and adviser Grimm. Catherine II the Great outlived her favorite by only four years.

Favorite of Nicholas II

“God saw your tears. Do not worry. Your son will live.” - this is exactly what the telegram says, which probably determined the course of events throughout the 20th century. This telegram was sent to Empress Alexandra by the elder Grigory Rasputin.

Everyone knew about the monstrous disease that struck Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, then just a baby, and the doctors shrugged their shoulders - at that time there were no effective means to combat hemophilia. The child was dying, they were already preparing to give him communion, and death for him and his parents would have been a blessing, a relief from inhuman pain, but somehow he survived. The fact that it was after Rasputin’s telegram that his son’s bleeding, which could not be stopped, stopped, without a doubt, left an indelible impression on the desperate parents, who were ready to do anything so that the child would not suffer.

The role played by Rasputin's telegram in the recovery of the Tsarevich in Spala remains the biggest mystery in the legend of Rasputin. None of the doctors present at the time left any evidence on this matter.

Whatever the reason for the healing, everyone - doctors, courtiers, grand duchesses; both those who believed in Rasputin and those who hated him recognized the mysterious connection between both events. For only one person this secret was not a secret at all. Alexandra Feodorovna understood perfectly well what had happened. The best doctors in Russia were powerless to help her son, her own prayers remained unanswered, but as soon as she turned to Rasputin, as her representative before the Lord, a miracle happened. From now on, the empress was convinced: the life of her child was in the hands of the “elder”. And the consequences of such conviction turned out to be fatal.

There was a lot that was repulsive about Grigory Rasputin. When this Siberian “miracle worker” first appeared in 1905 in the most fashionable salons of St. Petersburg, he was just over thirty years old. He wore a peasant shirt and trousers tucked into greased boots. He was unkempt. Her long, greasy hair, parted in the middle, hung in braids over her shoulders. Women, who at first found him disgusting, discovered that disgust was a new and exciting sensation, that a rude, goat-smelling man attracted them much more than perfumed and pomaded guards officers and socialites. Others, not so sensual, declared that the vulgar appearance of this peasant was a sure sign of his spirituality.

Everyone who met Rasputin noted his eyes. Elena Zhanumova wrote about him: “And what eyes he has! It is impossible to maintain this gaze for long. There is something so incomprehensible about him, he seems to be pressing, although sometimes such kindness sparkles in him, but how cruel he can be and how terrible in his anger...”7 “what eyes he has! You cannot endure his gaze for long. There"s something difficult in him, like physical pressure, even though his eyes sometimes glow with kindness, but how cruel they can be and how frightful in anger..."

At the request of the Empress, Rasputin visited two Russian prime ministers, Pyotr Stolypin and his successor Vladimir Kokovtsov, in order to form his opinion about them. And the “elder,” having parted with both politicians, told her that neither one nor the other listened to his opinion or the will of God. After such reviews, of which they were not even informed, the reputation of these two prime ministers, the best political figures that Russia has ever produced, began to fade in the eyes of the Court.

Rasputin was a fake "old man". For the most part, the elders were saints who abandoned worldly temptations and vanities. Rasputin was not old, had a wife and three children, and his powerful patrons eventually bought him the most magnificent house in his village. His thoughts were wicked and his behavior unworthy. But he knew how to put on the guise of a saint. He had a piercing gaze and a deft tongue. According to Vyrubova, the “elder” knew all the Holy Scriptures, he had a low, strong voice that made his sermons convincing. The “elder” traveled far and wide throughout Russia, twice making a walking pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He portrayed himself as a sort of repentant sinner whom God had forgiven and commanded to do God's will. People were touched by his humility: after all, he did not change the nickname “Rasputin”, received in his youth for his sins from his fellow villagers.

Both the sovereign and the empress talked with Rasputin about everything. According to the tsar, Rasputin was exactly what he called, turning to his sister, “a simple Russian peasant.” One day, talking with one of his officers, the sovereign identified Rasputin as a kind, religious Russian peasant. And he continued: “When I have a concern, doubt, or trouble, it is enough for me to talk to Gregory for five minutes to immediately feel strengthened and calmed down. He always knows how to tell me what I need to hear. And the effect of his words lasts for whole weeks.. ".

For Alexandra Feodorovna, the “elder” meant much more. Over time, she instilled in herself the idea that Rasputin was a saint sent by God to save herself, her husband and all of Russia. After all, all the signs are there: this is a peasant, devoted to the Tsar and the Orthodox faith. He represented the trinity: “Tsar-Church-People”. Moreover, the indisputable proof of his divine mission was that the “elder” could help her son. No evidence, exhortations, denunciations of the outrageous actions of Rasputin, who realized his power, almost absolute immunity, had any effect on the mother who returned her son from the dead.

“His fatal influence is what was the main reason for the death of those who expected to find a deliverer in him,” defined Pierre Gilliard. He cannot be blamed solely for the collapse of the empire, but he played a big role in this - his adventures and the things he did sullied the reputation of his patrons - the royal couple, whose position was already precarious. Who would trust a ruler who listens to the advice of the “holy devil”?

Somehow he predicted his death and the bloody events of the early 20th century. This is what he writes to the emperor: “... if this is an ordinary murder committed by ordinary people, You, the Tsar of Russia, do not need to fear for your children, they will rule for hundreds and hundreds of years. But if the culprits of my death are boyars, nobles, their hands will be stained with my blood for twenty-five years, they will leave Russia. Brother will go against brother, they will kill and hate each other... none of your children will live longer than two years after my death. You, the Russian Tsar, will be killed by the Russian people, who will be cursed and will serve as an instrument of the devil and kill each other everywhere. Three times over the next 25 years they will destroy the Russian people and Orthodoxy and the Russian land will die.”8 “…if I"m killed by common assassins, and especially by my brothers peasants, you, Tsar of Russia, have nothing to fear for your children , they will reign for hundreds and hundreds of years. But if I"m murdered by boyars, nobles, their hands will remain soiled with my blood for 25 years and they will leave Russia. Brothers will kill brothers, and they will kill each other and hate each other and for 25 years there will be no peace in the country… no one of your children will remain alive for more than two years…. You, Russian Tsar, will be killed by Russian people, and the people will be cursed and will serve as devil's weapon killing each other everywhere. Three times for 25 years they will destroy Russian people and orthodox faith and the Russian land will die "

Rasputin will be killed by his haters from the nobles on December 30, 1916 in the Yusupov Palace. In 1917, the royal family was sent into exile in Yekaterinburg. Less than two years later, the entire family is executed. The royal Romanov dynasty will end. A nightmare will come to the country.

Conclusion

I believe that in this essay I was able to solve the assigned problems and adequately reveal the topic of the issue. Based on the above, we can conclude that even emperors are characterized by simple human weaknesses, and the desire to have a person nearby whom one could completely trust and rely on may turn out to be stronger than all conventions. Ruling people always have a heavy burden that is difficult to bear alone, and therefore it is very clear why and where such a concept as favoritism arose. Another thing is that people who received such trust were not always worth it. Power spoils a person, and especially an unprepared person. The main problem in studying this issue is that a person is a subjective being, and everyone can have their own opinion on this issue. For example, from the point of view of military strategy, Prince Menshikov was a genius; as a person, he was actually self-interested and profited from everything he could. Biron did little good for the Empire, but for Anna Ioannovna he was important not as a statesman: being in a precarious position all her life, she sought and found protection and support in him. Potemkin's alliance with the empress had a significant beneficial effect on the development of the Russian Empire. In the case of Grigory Rasputin, it is difficult to say what took place here - divine providence, human factor, chance - he was another, probably the last, straw that decided the fate of the last monarchs of the Russian Empire.

I think in this abstract I"ve managed to complete my task and unveil the question. Based on what has been said above, I can make a conclusion that it"s a human nature to have weaknesses, even if said humans are emperors, and the willing to have someone to rely, to trust to can be stronger than any conventions. Rulers have a heavy burden that"s hard to bear alone, so it"s quite understandable where favoritism came from and why. The other thing is that not always the chosen ones really deserved trusting. Too much power can ruin a man, especially if we talk about an unprepared one. The main problem is that as many people, as many opinions. For example, as a war strategist prince Menshikov was definitely a genius, but as a human being he was mean. We can"t say Ernst von Biron did something good for the Empire but he was good for the Empress Anna: she found a shelter and protection in him. The Potemkin and Catherine II"s union influenced a lot in a good way to country" s development. In Grigory Rasputin"s case it"s hard to tell whether it was a divine intent, a human factor or just an accident - he was another, maybe the last drop to determine last Russian Monarchs"s destinies.

Used sources

1.Oxford Dictionary

2. Peter the Great: His Life and World. Robert K. Massie

3. Catherine the Great. Isabel de Madariaga

4. The Prince of Princes: The Life of Potemkin

5. Nicholas and Alexandra. Robert K. Massie

6. Rasputin: The Saint Who Sinned. Bryan Moynahan

7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Johann_von_Biron

8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Danilovich_Menshikov

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Factors

Before speaking briefly about the era of palace coups in Russia, it is necessary to understand what the term “palace coup” means. This stable combination is understood as a forceful change of power in the state, which is carried out through a conspiracy by a group of courtiers and relies on the help of a privileged military force - the guard. As a result, the current monarch is overthrown and a new heir from the ruling dynasty, a protégé of a group of conspirators, is installed on the throne. With the change of sovereign, the composition of the ruling elite also changes. During the period of coups d'etat in Russia - 37 years, six sovereigns were replaced on the Russian throne. The reasons for this were the following events:

After Peter I, there were no direct heirs in the male line: son Alexei Petrovich died in prison, convicted of treason, and the youngest son Peter Petrovich died at an early age;
Adopted by Peter I in 1722, the “Charter on the Succession to the Throne”: according to this document, the decision on the heir to the throne is made by the ruling monarch himself. Thus, various groups of supporters gathered around possible contenders for the throne - noble factions that were in confrontation;
Peter the Great did not have time to draw up a will and indicate the name of the heir.

Thus, according to the definition of the Russian historian V.O. Klyuchevsky, the beginning of the era of palace coups in Russia is considered to be the date of death of Peter I - February 8 (January 28), 1725, and the end - 1762 - the year Catherine the Great came to power.

Rice. 1. Death of Peter the Great

Distinctive features

The palace coups of 1725-1762 had several characteristic common features:

Favoritism : a group of favorites was formed around a possible contender for succession to the throne, whose goal was to be closer to power and have influence on the balance of power. In fact, the nobles close to the sovereign concentrated all power in their hands and completely controlled the sovereign (Menshikov, Biron, princes Dolgoruky);
Reliance on the Guards Regiment : Guards regiments appeared under Peter I. In the Northern War, they became the main striking force of the Russian army, and then were used as the personal guard of the sovereign. In other words, their privileged position and proximity to the king played a decisive role in their “fate”: their support was used as the main striking force in palace coups;
Frequent change of monarchs ;
Appeal to the legacy of Peter the Great : each new heir claiming the throne demonstrated his intention to strictly follow the course of Peter I in foreign and domestic policy. However, what was promised often ran counter to current affairs and deviations from his program were observed.

Rice. 2. Portrait of Anna Ioannovna

Chronological table

The following chronological table presents all six Russian rulers, whose reign in history is associated with the era of palace coups. The first line answers the question of which ruler opened the gap in question in the political life of Russia in the 18th century - Catherine I. Other monarchs follow in chronological order. In addition, it is indicated with the help of what forces and court groups each of them came to power.

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*Ruler*	*Reign dates*	*Coup participants*	*Coup prop*	*Main events*
Catherine I (wife of the late Peter the Great)		Supreme Privy Council, power in which belonged to A.D. Menshikov	Guards regiments	Bypassing the main contenders: the grandson of Peter I - Peter Alekseevich and the crown princesses Anna and Elizabeth.
Peter II (grandson of Peter I from the eldest son of Alexei Petrovich)		Supreme Privy Council, Princes Dolgoruky and Andrei Osterman	Guards regiments	Catherine I She named the name of Peter II as a successor with the condition of his further marriage to Menshikov’s daughter. But Menshikov was deprived of all privileges and exiled to Berezov.
Anna Ioannovna (daughter of Peter I's elder brother Ivan)		Andrei Osterman, Biron and associates of the German nobles	Guards regiments	Bypassing the main contenders - the daughters of Peter the Great - Anna and Elizabeth.
Ivan Antonovich under the regency of Biron (son of Anna Leopoldovna - grandniece of Peter I)		Duke of Courland Biron, who was arrested a few weeks later. Anna Leopoldovna and her husband Anton Ulrich of Brunswick became regent for the young emperor.	German nobility	Bypassing Tsarevna Elizabeth
Elizaveta Petrovna (daughter of Peter I)		Doctor to the Crown Princess Lestok	Preobrazhensky Guards	As a result of the coup, Anna Leopoldovna and her husband were arrested and imprisoned in a monastery.
Peter III (grandson of Peter I, son of Anna Petrovna and Karl Friedrich of Holstein)				Became sovereign after the death of Elizabeth Petrovna according to her will
Catherine II (wife of Peter III)		Guardsmen brothers Orlov, P.N. Panin, Princess E. Dashkova, Kirill Razumovsky	Guards regiments: Semenovsky, Preobrazhensky and Horse Guards	As a result of the coup, Pyotr Fedorovich abdicated the throne, was arrested and soon died of a violent death

Some historians believe that the era of palace coups does not end with the arrival of Catherine II. They name other dates - 1725-1801, related to the administration of the state of Alexander I.

Rice. 3. Catherine the Great

The era of palace coups led to the fact that noble privileges expanded significantly.

What have we learned?

According to the new decree of Peter I on changes in the order of succession to the throne, the person entitled to inherit the royal throne in Russia was indicated as the current monarch. This document did not contribute to the establishment of order and stability in the state, but on the contrary, it led to an era of palace coups that lasted 37 years. The activities of six monarchs date back to this period.

Test on the topic

Evaluation of the report

Average rating: 4.7. Total ratings received: 585.

The overstrain of the country's forces during the years of Peter's reforms, the destruction of traditions, and violent methods of reform caused an ambiguous attitude of various circles of Russian society towards Peter's legacy and created conditions for political instability.

From 1725, after the death of Peter, until Catherine 2 came to power in 1762, six monarchs and many political forces behind them replaced the throne. This change did not always take place peacefully and legally. Therefore, V. O. Klyuchevsky called this period “the era of palace coups.”

The main reason that formed the basis of the palace coups was the contradictions between various noble groups in relation to Peter's legacy. The split occurred along the lines of acceptance and non-acceptance of reforms. Both the new nobility, which emerged during the reign of Peter, and the aristocracy tried to soften the course of reforms. But each of them defended its narrow-class interests and privileges, which created fertile ground for internal political struggle. Palace coups were generated by an intense struggle between various factions for power. As a rule, it came down to the nomination and support of one or another candidate for the throne. At this time, the guard, which Peter raised as a privileged support of the autocracy, began to play an active role in the political life of the country. she now took upon herself the right to control the conformity of the personality and policies of the monarch with the legacy that the emperor left. The alienation of the masses from politics and their passivity served as fertile ground for palace intrigues and coups. To a large extent, palace coups were provoked by the unresolved problem of succession to the throne in connection with the adoption of the Decree of 1722, which broke the traditional mechanism of transfer of power.

Catherine's reign 1.1725 - 1727.

When Peter died, he left no heir. The opinion of the elite about his successor was divided: “chicks of Peter’s nest” A. D. Menshikov, P. A. Tolstoy, P. I. Yaguzhinsky, spoke for his second wife Ekaterina, and representatives of the noble nobility, D. M. Golitsyn, V. V. Dolgoruky , - for the grandson of Pyotr Alekseevich. The outcome of the dispute was decided by the guards who supported the empress.

The accession of Catherine led to a sharp increase in the role of Menshikov, who became the de facto ruler of the country. Attempts to somewhat curb his lust for power with the help of what was created under the empress

The Supreme Privy Council (SPC), to which the first collegiums and the Senate were subordinate, did not lead to anything.

The temporary worker decided to strengthen his position through the marriage of his daughter with Peter’s young grandson. P. Tolstoy, who opposed this plan, ended up in prison.

In May 1727, Catherine died, appointing Peter's grandson, Pyotr Alekseevich, as her successor.

Reign of Peter II.1727 - 1730.

Peter was declared emperor under the regency of the Military-Technical Cooperation. Menshikov's influence at court increased, he even received the rank of generalissimo. But, having alienated old allies and failed to gain new ones, he soon lost influence on the young emperor (with the help of the Dolgorukys and member of the military technical cooperation A.I. Osterman) and in September 1727 he was arrested and exiled with his family to Berezov, where he soon died. The overthrow of Menshikov was essentially a coup d'etat, since the composition of the military-technical cooperation changed (in which aristocratic families began to predominate), and Osterman began to play a key role; the regency of the military-technical cooperation was put to an end, Peter II declared himself the rightful ruler; a course was outlined aimed at revising Peter's reforms.

Soon the court left St. Petersburg and moved to Moscow, which attracted the emperor’s attention due to the presence of richer hunting grounds. The sister of the Tsar's favorite, Ekaterina Dolgorukaya, was engaged to the Emperor, but during preparations for the wedding, he died of smallpox. The question of succession to the throne arose again, since there was no will again.

The reign of Anna Ioannovna. 1730-1740

In the conditions of the political crisis, the Military-Technical Cooperation, which by that time consisted of 8 people (5 seats belonged to the Dolgorukys and Golitsyns), invited the niece of Peter I, Duchess of Courland Anna Ioannovna (a widow who did not have strong ties in Russia), to the throne. After a meeting in Mitau with V.L. Dolgoruky, Anna Ioannovna, agreeing to accept the throne, signed condition that limited her power:

She pledged to rule together with the military-technical cooperation, which was actually turning into the highest governing body of the country;

— without the approval of the Military Technical Cooperation, it did not have the right to pass laws, impose taxes, manage the treasury, declare war and make peace, grant and take away estates, ranks above the rank of colonel;

- the guard was subordinate to the military-technical cooperation;

- Anna undertook not to marry and not to appoint an heir;

- if any of these conditions were not met, she was deprived of the crown.

However, upon arriving in Moscow, Anna Ioannovna very quickly understood the difficult internal political situation (various noble groups proposed projects for the political reorganization of Russia) and, having found the support of part of the nobility and the guard, she broke the rules and restored the autocracy in full.

Politics A.I.:

— liquidated the military-technical cooperation, creating in its place a Cabinet of Ministers headed by Osterman;

- since 1735, the empress’s signature was equal to the signatures of three cabinet ministers,

— repressed the Dolgorukys and Golitsyns;

— satisfied some of the demands of the nobility:

a) limited the service life to 25 years,

b) canceled that part of the Decree on Single Inheritance, which limited the right of nobles to dispose of estates when transferred by inheritance;

c) made it easier to obtain an officer rank by allowing infants to enroll in military service

d) created a cadet corps of nobles, upon completion of which officer ranks were awarded.

— by the decree of 1836, all working people, including civilian employees, were declared “eternally given away,” i.e., they became dependent on the owners of the factories.

Not trusting the Russian nobility and not having the desire or ability to delve into state affairs herself, A.I. surrounded herself with people from the Baltic states. The key role was played by her favorite E. Biron. Some historians call the period of A.I.'s reign "Bironovshchina", believing that its main feature was the dominance of the Germans, who neglected the interests of the state, demonstrated contempt for everything Russian and pursued a policy of arbitrariness towards the Russian nobility.

In 1740, A.I. died, appointing the son of Anna Leopoldovna’s niece, the baby Ivan Antonovich (Ivan YI), as heir. Biron was appointed regent under him. The head of the military college, Field Marshal Minich, carried out another coup d'etat, pushing aside Biron, but, in turn, was pushed out of power by Osterman.

The reign of Elizabeth Petrovna. 1741-1761.

On November 25, 1741, Peter's daughter, relying on the support of the guard, carried out another coup d'etat and seized power. The peculiarities of this coup were that E.P. had broad support from ordinary people of the cities and lower guards, and also that this coup had a patriotic overtones, because was directed against the dominance of foreigners, and foreign diplomats (the Frenchman Chetardie and the Swedish ambassador Nolken) tried to take part in its preparation.

Politics E.P.:

- restored the institutions created by Peter and their status: having abolished the Cabinet of Ministers, returned the significance of the highest state body to the Senate, restored the Berg - and Manufactory - Collegium.

- brought closer Russian and Ukrainian nobles, who were distinguished by their great interest in the affairs of the country. Thus, with the active assistance of I.I. Shuvalov, Moscow University was opened in 1755;

— internal customs were destroyed, import duties were increased (protectionism)

- on the initiative of I. Shuvalov, the transition began from the poll tax (a direct tax that was paid only by peasants and townspeople) to indirect taxes (which were also paid by all non-taxable classes).

— Income from the sale of salt and wine tripled;

- the death penalty was abolished

- social policy was aimed at transforming the nobility into a privileged class and strengthening serfdom, which was expressed in the landowners receiving the right to sell their peasants as recruits (1747) and exile them to Siberia (1760).

Russia entered the war against Prussia on the side of the coalition of Austria, France, Sweden and Saxony.

The Seven Years' War began in 1756, ended in 1763 and brought the army of Frederick II to the brink of disaster, and only the death of H.P. on December 25, 1761 saved Prussia from complete defeat. Her heir, Peter III, who idolized Frederick, left the coalition and concluded a peace treaty, returning to Prussia all the lands lost in the war.

During the 20 years of H.P.’s reign, the country managed to rest and accumulate strength for a new breakthrough, which occurred in the era of Catherine II.

Reign of Peter III. 1761 - 1762

E.P.'s nephew, Peter III (the son of Anna's elder sister and the Duke of Holstein) was born in Holstein and from childhood was brought up in hostility to everything Russian and respect for everything German. By 1742, he turned out to be an orphan and E.P. invited him to Russia, immediately appointing him as her heir. In 1745 he was married to the Anhalt-Zerbian princess Sophia Frederick Augustus (Ekaterina Alekseevna).

Peter alienated the nobility and the guards with his pro-German sympathies, unbalanced behavior, signing peace with Frederick, introducing Prussian uniforms, and his plans to send the guards to fight for the interests of the Prussian king in Denmark.

In 1762, he signed a manifesto granting liberty and freedom to the Russian nobility, which

Then he abolished the Secret Investigation Office;

- stopped persecuting schismatics,

- decided to secularize church and monastic lands,

- prepared a decree on the equalization of all religions.

All these measures met the objective needs of Russia's development and reflected the interests of the nobility.

But his personal behavior, indifference and even dislike for Russia, mistakes in foreign policy and insulting attitude towards his wife, who managed to gain respect from the nobility and the guard, created the preconditions for his overthrow. In preparing the coup, Catherine was guided not only by political pride, the thirst for power and the instinct of self-preservation, but also by the desire to serve Russia.

Russian foreign policy in the mid-18th century.

Objectives: maintaining access to the Baltic Sea; influence on Poland and the solution of the Black Sea problem.

1733-1734. As a result of Russia's participation in the "War for the Polish Heritage", it was possible to place the Russian protege Augustus 3 on the Polish throne.

1735-1739. As a result of the war with Turkey, Russia returned Azov.

1741-1743. The war with Sweden, which sought to take revenge for the defeat in the Northern War and return the Baltic Sea coast. Russian troops captured almost all of Finland and forced Sweden to abandon revenge.

1756-1762. Seven Years' War.

Russia found itself drawn into a war between two European coalitions - Russian-Franco-Austrian and Anglo-Prussian. The main reason is the strengthening of Prussia in Europe. In August 1757, the Russian army under the command of Field Marshal S. F. Apraksin, only thanks to the corps of P. A. Rumyantsev, defeated the Prussian army near the village of Gross-Jägersdorf. Without continuing the offensive, the army retreated to Memel. Elizabeth removed Apraksin. The new commander-in-chief V.V. Fermor occupied Koenigsberg in the winter of 1758. In the summer, in the battle of Zorndorf, the Russian army lost 22.6 thousand (out of 42 thousand), and the Prussian army lost 11 thousand (out of 32 thousand). The battle ended almost in a draw. In 1759, the Russian army was replenished with new cannons - “unicorns” (light, mobile, rapid-fire), General P. A. Saltykov became the new commander. On August 1, 1759, Russian-Austrian troops defeated the Prussian army near the village of Kunersdorf. P

In 1760, the detachments of Totleben and Chernyshov captured Berlin. Prussia's position was hopeless. Russia announced its intention to annex East Prussia. Peter 3, who ascended the throne after the death of Elizabeth, broke with his allies and made peace with Frederick, returning all the captured territories.

Results of the era of "palace coups"

Palace coups did not entail changes in the political, much less social, system of society and boiled down to a struggle for power among various noble groups pursuing their own, most often selfish, goals. At the same time, the policies of each of the six monarchs had their own characteristics, sometimes important for the country. In general, the socio-economic stabilization and foreign policy successes achieved during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna created the conditions for more accelerated development.

The era of palace coups in Russia.

In 1725, Russian Emperor Peter I died without leaving a legal heir and without transferring the throne to the chosen one. Over the next 37 years, there was a struggle for power between his relatives - contenders for the Russian throne. This period in history is usually called " era of palace coups».

A feature of the period of “palace coups” is that the transfer of supreme power in the state was not carried out by inheriting the crown, but was carried out by guards or courtiers using forceful methods.

Such confusion arose due to the lack of clearly defined rules of succession to the throne in a monarchical country, which caused the supporters of one or another contender to fight among themselves.

The era of palace coups 1725-1762.

After Peter the Great, the following sat on the Russian throne:

Catherine I - the emperor's wife,
Peter II - grandson of the emperor,
Anna Ioannovna - the emperor's niece,
Ioann Antonovich is the great-nephew of the previous one,
Elizaveta Petrovna - daughter of Peter I,
Peter III is the nephew of the previous one,
Catherine II is the wife of the previous one.

In general, the era of revolutions lasted from 1725 to 1762.

Catherine I (1725–1727).

One part of the nobility, led by A. Menshikov, wanted to see the emperor’s second wife, Catherine, on the throne. The other part is the grandson of Emperor Peter Alekseevich. The dispute was won by those who were supported by the guard - the first. Under Catherine, A. Menshikov played a major role in the state.

In 1727, the Empress died, appointing the young Peter Alekseevich as successor to the throne.

Peter II (1727–1730).

Young Peter became emperor under the regency of the Supreme Privy Council. Gradually Menshikov lost his influence and was exiled. Soon the regency was abolished - Peter II declared himself ruler, the court returned to Moscow.

Shortly before his wedding to Catherine Dolgoruky, the emperor died of smallpox. There was no will.

Anna Ioannovna (1730–1740).

The Supreme Council invited the niece of Peter I, Duchess of Courland Anna Ioannovna, to rule in Russia. The challenger agreed to conditions limiting her power. But in Moscow, Anna quickly got used to it, enlisted the support of part of the nobility and violated the previously signed agreement, returning autocracy. However, it was not she who ruled, but the favorites, the most famous of whom was E. Biron.

In 1740, Anna died, having designated her great-nephew baby Ivan Antonovich (Ivan VI) as heir under regent Biron.

The coup was carried out by Field Marshal Minich, the fate of the child is still unclear.

Elizaveta Petrovna (1741–1761).

The guards again helped Peter I’s own daughter seize power. On the night of November 25, 1741, Elizaveta Petrovna, who was also supported by commoners, was literally brought to the throne. The coup had a bright patriotic overtones. His main goal was to remove foreigners from power in the country. Elizaveta Petrovna's policy was aimed at continuing her father's affairs.

Peter III (1761–1762).

Peter III is the orphaned nephew of Elizabeth Petrovna, the son of Anna Petrovna and the Duke of Holstein. In 1742 he was invited to Russia and became heir to the throne.

During Elizabeth's lifetime, Peter married his cousin, Princess Sophia Frederica Augusta of Anhalt-Zerb, the future Catherine II.

Peter's policy after the death of his aunt was aimed at an alliance with Prussia. The behavior of the emperor and his love for the Germans alienated the Russian nobility.

It was the emperor’s wife who ended the 37-year leapfrog on the Russian throne. She was again supported by the army - the Izmailovsky and Semenovsky Guards regiments. Catherine was brought to the throne as Elizabeth had once been.

Catherine proclaimed herself empress in June 1762, and both the Senate and the Synod swore allegiance to her. Peter III signed the abdication of the throne.

General characteristics of the era of palace coups

The era of palace coups is a time period (37 years) in the political life of Russia in the 18th century, when the seizure of political power was carried out by a series of palace coups. The reason for this was the lack of clear rules for succession to the throne, accompanied by the struggle of court factions and carried out, as a rule, with the assistance of guard regiments. The desire of the nobles and boyars to regain the power, freedom and privileges lost under Peter I. The overstrain of the country's forces during the years of Peter's reforms, the destruction of traditions, and violent methods of reform caused an ambiguous attitude of various circles of Russian society towards Peter's legacy and created conditions for political instability.
From 1725 after the death of Peter I and until Catherine II came to power in 1762, six monarchs and many political forces behind them replaced the throne. This change did not always take place peacefully and legally, which is why this period of V.O. Klyuchevsky, not entirely accurately, but figuratively and aptly called it “the era of palace coups.”

The struggle for power after the death of Peter I

Dying, Peter did not leave an heir, having only managed to write with a weakening hand: “Give everything...”. Opinion at the top about his successor was divided. “Chicks of Peter’s nest” (A.D. Menshikov, P.A. Tolstoy, I.I. Buturlin, P.I. Yaguzhinsky, etc.) spoke for his second wife Ekaterina, and representatives of the noble nobility (D.M.

Golitsyn, V.V. Dolgoruky and others) defended the candidacy of their grandson, Pyotr Alekseevich. The outcome of the dispute was decided by the guards who supported the empress.
The accession of Catherine 1 (1725-1727) led to a sharp strengthening of the position of Menshikov, who became the de facto ruler of the country. Attempts to somewhat curb his lust for power and greed with the help of the Supreme Privy Council (SPC) created under the empress, to which the first three collegiums, as well as the Senate, were subordinate, led nowhere. Moreover, the temporary worker decided to strengthen his position through the marriage of his daughter with Peter’s young grandson. P. Tolstoy, who opposed this plan, ended up in prison.
In May 1727, Catherine 1 died and, according to her will, 12-year-old Peter II (1727-1730) became emperor under the regency of the VTS. Menshikov's influence at court increased, and he even received the coveted rank of generalissimo. But, having alienated old allies and not gaining new ones among the noble nobility, he soon lost influence on the young emperor and in September 1727 he was arrested and exiled with his entire family to Berezovo, where he soon died.
A significant role in discrediting Menshikov’s personality in the eyes of the young emperor was played by Dolgoruky, as well as a member of the Military Technical Cooperation, the Tsar’s educator, nominated to this position by Menshikov himself - A.I. Osterman is a deft diplomat who knew how, depending on the balance of power and the political situation, to change his views, allies and patrons.
The overthrow of Menshikov was, in essence, an actual palace coup, because the composition of the military-technical cooperation changed, in which aristocratic families began to predominate (Dolgoruky and Golitsyn), and A.I. began to play a key role. Osterman; the regency of the military-technical cooperation was put to an end, Peter II declared himself a full-fledged ruler, surrounded by new favorites; a course was outlined aimed at revising the reforms of Peter I.
Soon the court left St. Petersburg and moved to Moscow, which attracted the emperor due to the presence of richer hunting grounds. The sister of the Tsar's favorite, Ekaterina Dolgorukaya, was engaged to Peter II, but during preparations for the wedding he died of smallpox. And again the question of the heir to the throne arose, because With the death of Peter II, the Romanov male line was cut short, and he did not have time to appoint a successor.

Prerequisites for palace coups

The main reason that formed the basis of the palace coups was the contradictions between various noble groups in relation to Peter's legacy. It would be a simplification to consider that the split occurred along the lines of acceptance and non-acceptance of reforms. Both the so-called “new nobility”, which emerged during the years of Peter thanks to their official zeal, and the aristocratic party tried to soften the course of reforms, hoping in one form or another to give a respite to society, and, first of all, to themselves. But each of these groups defended their narrow-class interests and privileges, which created fertile ground for internal political struggle.
Palace coups were generated by an intense struggle between various factions for power. As a rule, it most often came down to the nomination and support of one or another candidate for the throne.
At this time, the guard began to play an active role in the political life of the country, which Peter raised as a privileged “support” of the autocracy, which, moreover, took upon itself the right to control the conformity of the personality and policies of the monarch with the legacy that its “beloved emperor” left.
The alienation of the masses from politics and their passivity served as fertile ground for palace intrigues and coups.
To a large extent, palace coups were provoked by the unresolved problem of succession to the throne in connection with the adoption of the Decree of 1722, which broke the traditional mechanism of transfer of power.

Prerequisites for the palace coup

Causes of palace coups

1) Contradictions between various noble factions in relation to Peter’s legacy.

2) An intense struggle between various groups for power, which most often boiled down to the nomination and support of one or another candidate for the throne.

3) The active position of the guard, which Peter raised as a privileged support of the autocracy, which, moreover, took upon itself the right to control the compliance of the personality and policies of the monarch with the legacy that its beloved emperor left.

4) Passivity of the masses, absolutely far from the political life of the capital.

5) Exacerbation of the problem of succession to the throne in connection with the adoption of the Decree of 1722, which broke the traditional mechanism of transfer of power.

1) Moving away from the national political tradition, according to which the throne is only for the direct heirs of the king, Peter himself prepared a crisis of power.

2) After the death of Peter, a large number of direct and indirect heirs laid claim to the Russian throne;

3) The existing corporate interests of the nobility and family nobility were revealed in their entirety.

When analyzing the era of palace coups, it is important to pay attention to the following points.

Firstly, the initiators of the coups were various palace groups who sought to elevate their protégé to the throne.

Secondly, the most important consequence of the coups was the strengthening of the economic and political positions of the nobility.

Thirdly, the driving force behind the coups was the Guard.

Indeed, it was the guard during the period under review that decided the question of who should be on the throne.

Supreme Privy Council

SUPREME PRIVATE COUNCIL - the highest body of state power in the Russian Empire (1726-1730); created by decree of Catherine I Alekseevna on February 8, 1726, formally as an advisory body under the empress, in fact it decided all the most important state affairs. During the accession of Empress Anna Ivanovna, the Supreme Privy Council tried to limit the autocracy in its favor, but was dissolved.

After the death of Emperor Peter I the Great (1725), his wife Ekaterina Alekseevna ascended the throne. She was not able to independently govern the state and created the Supreme Privy Council from among the most prominent associates of the late emperor, which was supposed to advise the empress what to do in this or that case. Gradually, the sphere of competence of the Supreme Privy Council included the resolution of all the most important domestic and foreign policy issues. The collegiums were subordinate to him, and the role of the Senate was reduced, which was reflected, in particular, in the renaming from the “Governing Senate” to the “High Senate”.

Initially, the Supreme Privy Council consisted of A.D. Menshikova, P.A. Tolstoy, A.I. Osterman, F.M. Apraksina, G.I. Golovkina, D.M. Golitsyn and Duke Karl Friedrich of Holstein-Gottorp (son-in-law of the Empress, husband of Tsarevna Anna Petrovna). A struggle for influence ensued between them, in which A.D. won. Menshikov. Ekaterina Alekseevna agreed to the marriage of the heir to Tsarevich Peter with Menshikov’s daughter. In April 1727 A.D. Menshikov achieved the disgrace of P.A. Tolstoy, Duke Karl Friedrich was sent home. However, after the accession of Peter II Alekseevich to the throne (May 1727), A.D. fell into disgrace. Menshikov and the Supreme Privy Council included A.G. and V.L. Dolgorukovs, and in 1730 after the death of F.M. Apraksina - M.M. Golitsyn and V.V. Dolgorukov.

The internal policy of the Supreme Privy Council was aimed mainly at solving problems associated with the socio-economic crisis that the country was experiencing after the long Northern War and the reforms of Peter I, primarily in the financial sector. Members of the council (“the supreme leaders”) critically assessed the results of Peter’s reforms and were aware of the need to adjust them in accordance with the real capabilities of the country. The financial issue was at the center of the activities of the Supreme Privy Council, which the leaders tried to solve in two directions: by streamlining the system of accounting and control over state income and expenses and by saving money. The leaders discussed issues of improving the systems of taxation and public administration created by Peter, reducing the army and navy and other measures aimed at replenishing the state budget. The collection of poll taxes and recruits was transferred from the army to the civil authorities, military units were withdrawn from rural areas to cities, and some noble officers were sent on long vacations without payment of salary. The capital of the state was again moved to Moscow.

In order to save money, the leaders liquidated a number of local institutions (court courts, offices of zemstvo commissars, Waldmaster offices) and reduced the number of local employees. Some of the minor officials who did not have a class rank were deprived of their salaries, and they were asked to “feed from business.” Along with this, the positions of governor were restored. The leaders tried to revive domestic and foreign trade, allowed previously prohibited trade through the Arkhangelsk port, lifted restrictions on trade in a number of goods, abolished many restrictive duties, created favorable conditions for foreign merchants, and revised the protective customs tariff of 1724. In 1726, an alliance treaty was concluded with Austria, which determined Russia’s behavior in the international arena for several decades.

In January 1730, after the death of Peter II, the rulers invited the Dowager Duchess of Courland Anna Ivanovna to the Russian throne. At the same time, on the initiative of D.M.

Golitsyn, it was decided to carry out a reform of the political system of Russia through the actual elimination of the autocracy and the introduction of a limited monarchy of the Swedish model. To this end, the leaders invited the future empress to sign special conditions - “conditions”, according to which she was deprived of the opportunity to make political decisions on her own: make peace and declare war, appoint her to government posts, change the taxation system. Real power passed to the Supreme Privy Council, the composition of which was to be expanded to include representatives of the highest officials, generals and aristocracy. The nobility generally supported the idea of limiting the absolute power of the autocrat. However, negotiations between the supreme leaders and Anna Ivanovna were conducted in secret, which aroused suspicion among the mass of nobles of a conspiracy to usurp power in the hands of the aristocratic families represented in the Supreme Privy Council (Golitsyn, Dolgoruky). The lack of unity among the supporters of the supreme leaders allowed Anna Ivanovna, who arrived in Moscow, relying on the guard and some of the court officials, to carry out a coup: on February 25, 1730, the empress broke the “conditions”, and on March 4, the Supreme Privy Council was abolished. Later, most members of the Supreme Privy Council (with the exception of Osterman and Golovkin, who did not support the Golitsyns and Dolgorukovs) were subjected to repression.

Causes of palace coups

It is believed that Peter I prepared the era of palace coups in Russia by issuing a decree on succession to the throne in 1722. This decree allowed any relative of the emperor, regardless of gender and age, to lay claim to the royal throne. Since families in the 18th century. were large, then, as a rule, there were many candidates for the imperial crown: wives and children, cousins, grandchildren and nephews... The absence of a single legal heir led to increased palace intrigues and a struggle for power.

Features of palace coups

Role of the Guard

In the struggle for power, the one who was supported by the guard, called upon to protect the capital and the imperial palace, won. It was the guard regiments that became the main force behind palace coups. Therefore, every contender for the throne, trying to enlist the support of the guards, promised them money, estates and new privileges.

In 1714, Peter I issued a decree prohibiting the promotion to officers of nobles who did not serve as privates in the guard.

Therefore, by 1725, in the guards regiments, not only the officers, but also the majority of the privates were from the nobility. Thanks to its social homogeneity, the guard was able to become the main force in palace coups.

The guards units during this period were the most privileged in the Russian army. The guards did not participate in hostilities and performed exclusively ceremonial and palace service in the capital. The salary of private guards was much higher than that of army and navy officers.

Favoritism

Often, as a result of a palace coup, persons unprepared to govern the state ended up on the throne. Therefore, the consequence of the coups was favoritism, that is, the rise of one or several favorites of the monarch, who concentrated enormous power and wealth in their hands.

Social system of Russia

An important feature of the palace coups should be noted: they did not lead to significant changes in the social system of Russia. Emperors and favorites changed, as did the emphasis in domestic and foreign policy, but the following always remained unchanged: a) the absolute power of the monarch; b) serfdom; c) political lack of rights of the people; d) a course to expand the privileges of the nobility at the expense of other classes. The stability of power was ensured by a growing and strengthening bureaucracy.

History of palace coups

On this page there is material on the following topics:

Video of palace coups after the death of Peter 1: sequence and reasons
The role of the guard in palace coups
The era of palace coups table the method of coming to power
The fourth palace coup in Russia
Explain why the palace coup of internal politics was ruled by the monarchy

Questions for this article:

Why was Peter I forced to issue a decree on succession to the throne?
What important events occurred in 1740, 1741, 1741 - 1743, 1756-1763, 1761, 1762?
What is a palace coup?
What are the causes and features of palace coups in Russia?
What role did the guard play in palace coups?
What is favoritism?
Make a table “The era of palace coups.”
How did the positions of the Russian nobility strengthen in 1725-1761?

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Palace coups: causes and main events

The death of Emperor Peter I in 1725 led to a long crisis of power. According to the figurative expression of V. O. Klyuchevsky, this period of our history was called “palace revolutions.” For 37 years from the death of Peter I to the accession of Catherine II (1725-1762), the throne was occupied by six reigning persons who received the throne as a result of complex palace intrigues or coups.

Reasons for palace coups:

1. moving away from the national political tradition, according to which the throne passed only to the direct heirs of the tsar, Peter himself prepared a “crisis of power” (by failing to implement the Decree of 1722 on the succession to the throne, without appointing an heir for himself);

2. after the death of Peter, a large number of direct and indirect heirs laid claim to the Russian throne;

3. the existing corporate interests of the nobility and high-born nobility manifested themselves in their entirety.

Palace coups, that they were not state coups, that is, they did not pursue the goal of radical changes in political power and government structure

When analyzing the era of palace coups, it is important to pay attention to the following points.

1. The initiators of the coups were various palace groups who sought to elevate their protégé to the throne.

2. The most important consequence of the palace coups was the strengthening of the economic and political positions of the nobility.

3.The driving force behind the coups was the Guard.

Catherine's reign I (1725-1727). The guard took Catherine's side.

In 1726, under Catherine I, the Supreme Privy Council was established, which, according to the historian S. F. Platonov, replaced Peter the Great's Senate. The Supreme Privy Council included A.D. Menshikov, F. M. Apraksin, G. I. Golovkin, D. M. Golitsyn, A. I. Osterman and P. A. Tolstoy. The Council was not an oligarchic body limiting autocracy. It remained a bureaucratic, albeit very influential, institution in the system of absolutism, placed under the control of the empress.

During this period of time the following happened:

Reduction of bureaucratic structures;

Revision of customs tariff;

Changing the deployment of the army and its contents;

Elimination of the self-government system;

Restoring the importance of the county as the main territorial-administrative unit;

Changing the taxation system, reducing the capitation tax.

In general, the activities of Catherine I and her “supreme leaders” were characterized by a rejection of the broad reform program of Peter I and a reduction in the role of the Senate. Trade and industry, which lost financial and administrative support from the state in the post-Petrine era, were placed in unfavorable conditions. The beginning of an audit of the results of Peter's reforms.

Peter II (1727-1730). Shortly before her death in 1727, Catherine I signed a will that determined the sequence of succession to the throne. The closest heir was determined to be Peter II.

The throne was taken by 12-year-old Peter II under the regency of the Supreme Privy Council.

The Supreme Privy Council under Peter II underwent significant changes. In it, all affairs were carried out by four princes Dolgoruky and two Golitsyns, as well as A.I. Osterman. The Dolgorukies came to the fore. Peter II died on the day of his wedding (with Ivan Dolgoruky's sister Catherine). The Romanov dynasty was cut short in the male line. The question of the emperor had to be decided by the Supreme Privy Council.

The short stay in power of young Peter II did not make significant changes in the state and public life of Russian society. The relocation of the royal court from St. Petersburg to Moscow at the end of 1727, the abolition of the Chief Magistrate in 1728.

Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740). After long consultations, the leaders chose the senior line of the dynasty, associated with the brother of Peter I - Ivan V.

Golitsyn and V.L. Dolgoruky developed the so-called conditions - the conditions under which Anna Ioannovna could accept the Russian crown from the hands of the rulers:

No new laws should be issued;

Do not start a war with anyone and do not make peace with anyone;

Do not burden loyal subjects with any taxes;

Do not dispose of treasury revenues;

Noble ranks above the rank of colonel are not welcome;

The nobility's life, property and honor cannot be taken away;

Do not favor estates and villages.

Just two weeks after arriving in Moscow, Anna broke down in front of the leaders and declared “her perception of autocracy.” The Supreme Privy Council in 1731 was replaced by a Cabinet of three ministers headed by A. I. Osterman. Four years later, Anna Ioannovna equated the signatures of three cabinet ministers with one of her own.

Main directions of domestic policy:

Abolition of the Supreme Privy Council and the return of the Senate to its former significance;

The return of Peter's system of placing regiments in the provinces and the responsibility of landowners for payments to their peasants;

Continuation of the punitive policy towards the Old Believers;

Creation of a new body - the Cabinet of Ministers (1731);

Resumption of the activities of the Secret Chancellery;

The establishment of a cadet corps (1732), after which noble children received officer ranks;

Abolition of indefinite service for nobles (1736). In addition, one of the sons of a noble family was released from service to manage the estate.

During the reign of Anna Ioannovna, the autocracy was strengthened, the responsibilities of the nobles were reduced and their rights over the peasants were expanded.

Ivan VI Antonovich. After the death of Anna Ioannovna in 1740, according to her will, the Russian throne was inherited by her great-grandson, Ivan Antonovich. Anna's favorite E.I. Biron was appointed regent until he came of age, but less than a month later he was arrested by the guards on the orders of Field Marshal B.K. Minich. His mother Anna Leopoldovna was proclaimed regent for the royal child.

Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1761). The next coup d'état was carried out with the direct participation of the guards of the Preobrazhensky Regiment.

The period of Elizabeth's reign was marked by the flourishing of favoritism. On the one hand, it was an indicator of the dependence of the nobility on royal generosity, and on the other hand, it was a unique, albeit rather timid, attempt to adapt the state to the demands of the nobility.

During the reign of Elizabeth, certain transformations were carried out:

1. there was a significant expansion of noble benefits, the socio-economic and legal position of the Russian nobility was strengthened;

2. an attempt was made to restore some of the orders and government institutions created by Peter I. For this purpose, the Cabinet of Ministers was abolished, the functions of the Senate were significantly expanded, the Berg and Manufactory Collegiums, the chief and city magistrates were restored;

3. many foreigners were eliminated from the spheres of public administration and the education system;

4. a new supreme body was created - the Conference at the Highest Court (1756) to resolve important state issues, which largely duplicated the functions of the Senate;

5. the empress tried to develop new legislation;

6. there was a tightening of religious policy.

In general, Elizabeth’s reign did not become the “second edition” of Peter’s policies. Elizabeth's policy was distinguished by caution, and in some aspects, unusual gentleness. By refusing to sanction death sentences, she was actually the first in Europe to abolish the death penalty.

Peter III (December 25, 1761 - June 28, 1762). After the death of Elizabeth Petrovna in 1761, 33-year-old Peter III became Emperor of Russia.

Peter III announced to Frederick II the intention of Russia to make peace with Prussia separately, without allies France and Austria (1762). Russia returned to Prussia all the lands occupied during the Seven Years' War, refused indemnity to compensate for the losses incurred and entered into an alliance with the former enemy. In addition, Peter began to prepare for a completely unnecessary war with Denmark for Russia. In society this was perceived as a betrayal of Russian national interests.

During the six-month reign of Peter III, 192 decrees were adopted.

The secularization of church lands in favor of the state was announced, which strengthened the state treasury (the decree was finally implemented by Catherine II in 1764);

He stopped the persecution of Old Believers and wanted to equalize the rights of all religions.

Liquidation of the Secret Chancellery and the return from exile of people convicted under Elizaveta Petrovna;

Trade monopolies, which hampered the development of entrepreneurship, were abolished;

Freedom of foreign trade was proclaimed, etc.

Politically wise and economically expedient, these internal changes did not add to the emperor's popularity. His denial of everything Russian as “archaic,” the break with traditions, and the reshaping of many orders according to the Western model offended the national feelings of the Russian people. The fall of Emperor Peter III was a foregone conclusion, and it occurred as a result of a palace coup on June 28, 1762. Peter was forced to abdicate the throne, and a few days later he was killed.

Socio-economic development. A distinctive feature of Russia's social development was a significant expansion of the privileges of the nobility, the acquisition of which was facilitated by the relative instability of state power.

The 37-year period of political instability (1725-1762) that followed the death of Peter I was called the “Era of Palace Revolutions.” During this period, state policy was determined by individual groups of the palace nobility, who actively intervened in resolving the issue of the heir to the throne, fought among themselves for power, and thus carried out palace coups. Also, the decisive force in the palace coups was the guard, a privileged part of the regular army created by Peter (these are the famous Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments, in the 30s two new ones were added to them, the Izmailovsky and Horse Guards). Her participation decided the outcome of the matter: which side the guard was on, that group would win. The Guard was not only a privileged part of the Russian army, it was a representative of an entire class (the nobility), from whose midst it was almost exclusively formed and whose interests it represented. The reason for the intervention of certain groups of the palace nobility in the political life of the country was the Charter “on the succession to the throne” issued by Peter I on February 5, 1722, which abolished “both orders of succession to the throne that were in force before, both the will and the conciliar election, replacing both with personal appointment, at the discretion of the reigning sovereign." Peter I himself did not take advantage of this charter. He died on January 28, 1725, without appointing a successor. Therefore, immediately after his death, a struggle for power began between representatives of the ruling elite. Also, palace coups testified to the weakness of absolute power under the successors of Peter I, who were unable to continue reforms with energy and in the spirit of a pioneer and who could govern the state only relying on their entourage. Favoritism flourished in full bloom during this period. Temporary favorites received unlimited influence on state policy.

The only heir of Peter I in the male line was his grandson - the son of the executed Tsarevich Alexei Peter. Grouped around the grandson were mainly representatives of the high-born feudal aristocracy, now a few boyar families. Among them, the leading role was played by the Golitsyns and Dolgorukys, and they were also joined by some of Peter I’s associates (Field Marshal Prince B.P. Sheremetev, Field Marshal Nikita Repnin, etc.). But the wife of Peter I, Catherine, laid claim to the throne. Peter's two daughters, Anna (married to a Holstein prince) and Elizabeth, who was still a minor by that time, were also heirs. The decree of February 5, 1722, which abolished the old rules of succession to the throne and ratified the personal will of the testator into law, contributed greatly to the ambiguity of the general situation. The figures of Peter the Great's era, who were always at odds with each other, temporarily rallied around Catherine's candidacy. They were: A.D. Menshikov, P.I. Yaguzhinsky, P.A. Tolstoy, A.V. Makarov, F. Prokopovich, I.I. Buturlin and others. The issue of a successor was resolved by the quick actions of A. Menshikov, who, relying on the guard, carried out the first palace coup in favor of Catherine I (1725-1727) and became an all-powerful temporary worker under her.

In 1727, Catherine I died. According to her will, the throne passed to 12-year-old Peter II (1727-1730). The affairs of the state continued to be managed by the Supreme Privy Council. However, changes took place in it: Menshikov was removed and exiled with his family to the distant Western Siberian city of Berezov, and the Tsarevich’s educator Osterman and two princes Dolgoruky and Golitsyn entered the Council. Ivan Dolgoruky, who had a huge influence on the young emperor, became Peter II's favorite.

In January 1730, Peter II dies of smallpox, and the question of a candidate for the throne again arises. The Supreme Privy Council, at the suggestion of D. Golitsyn, chose the niece of Peter I, the daughter of his brother Ivan, the Dowager Duchess of Courland Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740), but limited her power. The “sovereigns” offered the throne to Anna under certain conditions - conditions, according to which the empress actually became a powerless puppet. The reign of Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740) is usually assessed as a kind of timelessness; the empress herself is characterized as a narrow-minded, uneducated woman with little interest in state affairs, who did not trust the Russians, and therefore brought a bunch of foreigners from Mitau and from various “German corners”. “The Germans poured into Russia like rubbish from a leaky bag - they surrounded the courtyard, settled in the throne, and climbed into all the lucrative positions in government,” Klyuchevsky wrote. The guards, protesting against the conditions, demanded that Anna Ioanovna remain the same autocrat as her ancestors. Upon arrival in Moscow, Anna was already aware of the mood of wide circles of the nobility and the guard. Therefore, on February 25, 1730, she broke her standards and “committed herself to sovereignty.” Having become an autocrat, Anna Ioannovna hastened to find support for herself mainly among foreigners who occupied the highest positions at court, in the army and in the highest government bodies. A number of Russian surnames also fell into the circle of people devoted to Anna: relatives Saltykovs, P. Yaguzhinsky, A. Cherkassky, A. Volynsky, A. Ushakov. Anna Biron's Mittava favorite became the de facto ruler of the country. In the system of power that developed under Anna Ioannovna without Biron, her confidant, a rude and vindictive temporary worker, not a single important decision was made at all.

According to Anna Ioannovna's will, her great-nephew, Ivan Antonovich of Brunswick, was appointed as her heir. Biron was appointed regent under him. A palace coup was carried out against the hated Biron just a few weeks later. His mother Anna Leopoldovna was proclaimed ruler under the young Ivan Antonovich. However, there were no changes in policy; all positions continued to remain in the hands of the Germans. On the night of November 25, 1741, the grenadier company of the Preobrazhensky Regiment carried out a palace coup in favor of Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter I (1741-1761). Under Elizabeth, there were no fundamental changes in the composition of the ruling elite of the state apparatus - only the most odious figures were removed. So, Elizabeth appointed A.P. as chancellor. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, who was at one time Biron’s right hand and creation. The highest Elizabethan dignitaries also included brother A.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumina and N.Yu. Trubetskoy, who by 1740 was the Prosecutor General of the Senate. The observed certain continuity of the top circle of people who actually exercised control over the key issues of foreign and domestic policy testified to the continuity of this policy itself. Despite all the similarities of this coup with similar palace coups in Russia in the 18th century. (apex character, guard striking force), it had a number of distinctive features. The striking force of the November 25 coup was not just the guard, but the lower ranks of the guards - people from the tax-paying classes, expressing the patriotic sentiments of broad sections of the capital's population. The coup had a pronounced anti-German, patriotic character. Wide layers of Russian society, condemning the favoritism of German temporary workers, turned their sympathies towards Peter's daughter, the Russian heiress. A feature of the palace coup on November 25 was that Franco-Swedish diplomacy tried to actively interfere in the internal affairs of Russia and, in exchange for offering assistance to Elizabeth in the struggle for the throne, to obtain from her certain political and territorial concessions, which meant a voluntary renunciation of the conquests of Peter I.

Elizabeth Petrovna's successor was her nephew Karl-Peter-Ulrich - Duke of Holstein - the son of Elizabeth Petrovna's elder sister Anna, and therefore on his mother's side - the grandson of Peter I. He ascended the throne under the name of Peter III (1761-1762) on February 18, 1762 The Manifesto was published on granting “the entire Russian noble nobility liberty and freedom,” i.e. on exemption from compulsory service. The “Manifesto,” which removed the age-old conscription from the class, was received with enthusiasm by the nobility. Peter III issued Decrees on the abolition of the Secret Chancellery, on allowing schismatics who had fled abroad to return to Russia, with a ban on prosecution for schism. However, soon the policies of Peter III aroused discontent in society and turned metropolitan society against him. Particular dissatisfaction among the officers was caused by Peter III's refusal of all conquests during the victorious Seven Years' War with Prussia (1755-1762), which was waged by Elizaveta Petrovna. A conspiracy was ripe in the guard to overthrow Peter III. As a result of the latter, in the 18th century. In the palace coup carried out on June 28, 1762, the wife of Peter III was elevated to the Russian throne and became Empress Catherine II (1762-1796).

Thus, palace coups did not entail changes in the political, much less social, system of society and boiled down to a struggle for power among various noble groups pursuing their own, most often selfish, interests. At the same time, the specific policies of each of the six monarchs had their own characteristics, sometimes important for the country. In general, the socio-economic stabilization and foreign policy successes achieved during the reign of Elizabeth created the conditions for more accelerated development and new breakthroughs in foreign policy that would occur under Catherine II. Historians see the reasons for palace coups in the decree of Peter I “on changing the order of succession to the throne”, in the clash of corporate interests of various groups of the nobility. With the light hand of V.O. Many historians assessed Klyuchevsky from the 1720s to the 1750s. as a time of weakening of Russian absolutism. N.Ya. Eidelman generally considered palace coups as a peculiar reaction of the nobility to the sharp increase in the independence of the state under Peter I and as historical experience showed, he writes, referring to the “unbridledness” of Peter’s absolutism, that such a huge concentration of power is dangerous both for its bearer and for the ruling class itself." V.O. himself Klyuchevsky also associated the onset of political instability after the death of Peter I with the “autocracy” of the latter, who decided, in particular, to break the traditional order of succession to the throne (when the throne passed through a direct male descendant line) - the charter of February 5, 1722 gave the autocrat the right to appoint a successor for himself at his own request. “Rarely has autocracy punished itself so cruelly as in the person of Peter with this law on February 5,” concluded Klyuchevsky. Peter I did not have time to appoint an heir for himself; the throne, according to Klyuchevsky, turned out to be given “to chance and became its toy”: it was not the law that determined who should sit on the throne, but the guard, which was the “dominant force” at that time. Thus, the reasons that determined this era of revolutions and temporary workers were rooted, on the one hand, in the state of the royal family, and on the other, in the peculiarities of the environment that managed affairs.

Catherine (1725-1727). Lesson objectives. Anna Ioannovna (1730 -1740). Policy towards the Cossacks. Peter III Fedorovich (1761-1762). Compare the nature of the reign of Peter I and his successors. Changes in the city government system. Standard requirements. Peter II (1727-1730). Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1761). Find manufactories on the map. Policy in the field of manufacturing production. Lesson plan. Table form.

“The era of palace coups 1725-1762” - Dictionary. Pyotr Fedorovich (1761-1762). Ekaterina Alekseevna (1762-1796). Palace coups 1725 – 1762 Palace coups. Lesson plan. Who is the contender for the throne? Catherine I (1725-1727). Conditions - conditions for invitation to the throne. Who was the actual ruler of the state. The princely family that actually ruled Russia under Peter II. Homework. 1730 “Verkhovniki” (Supreme Privy Council).

“Russia in the era of palace coups” - Head of the Theological College. The Supreme Privy Council was abolished. The period of the reign of Peter II. Choosing a new head of state. Hopes were not justified. Minikh. Formation of the nobility. A coup in favor of the daughter of Peter I. A decree limiting the period of service to the state - 25 years. Field Marshal Minich. Decree on the abolition of internal customs duties. Vice-Chancellor. Supreme Privy Council. Ivan Antonovich. Anton-Ulrich. Charter on the succession to the throne.

“Peter III” - Childhood years. Reign of Peter III. Fidgety, poorly educated, good-natured, trusting. Events of Peter III. Causes of death of Peter iii. A worthless monarch who had a negative attitude towards everything Russian - Catherine II, S.M. Solovyov, V.O. Klyuchevsky. Prussian influence. Yakov Yakovlevich Shtelin discovered a complete lack of knowledge. Peter III in the assessments of historians and contemporaries. Conspiracy participants. Instructions from Chancellor A.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin.

“The era of palace coups” - The Battle of the village of Kunersdorf. Anna Ivanovna. Elizaveta Petrovna. Menshikov. The era of palace coups. Domestic policy. Rulers. "Anti-Bironovskaya" coalition. Battle of the village of Zorndorf. Main favorites. Seven Years' War. Palace coup. Catherine. John VI Antonovich. Peter. Battle of the village of Gross-Jägersdorf. Supreme Privy Council. Russian - Swedish war. Polish heritage. Favorism in the era of the palace.

"Peter 3" - Heir to the throne. By decree of February 21, 1762, Peter III abolished the Secret Chancellery. Emperor Peter III. Foreign policy of Peter III. The manifesto on the freedom of the nobility for the first time created in Russia a layer of free people independent of the state. CONSPIRACY. Politics of Peter III. Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich. Overthrow of Peter III. Prince Peter Fedorovich. Empress Elizabeth seriously considered declaring her great-nephew as heir.

Palace coups as a social phenomenon of the 18th century. Palace coups of the mid-18th century

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The era of palace coups in Russia.

The era of palace coups 1725-1762.

Catherine I (1725–1727).

Peter II (1727–1730).

Anna Ioannovna (1730–1740).

Elizaveta Petrovna (1741–1761).

Peter III (1761–1762).

Causes of palace coups

Features of palace coups

Role of the Guard

Favoritism

Social system of Russia

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Why was Peter I forced to issue a decree on succession to the throne?

What important events occurred in 1740, 1741, 1741 - 1743, 1756-1763, 1761, 1762?

What is a palace coup?

What are the causes and features of palace coups in Russia?

What role did the guard play in palace coups?

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