Palace coup- this is the seizure of political power in Russia in the 18th century, the reason for which 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 era of palace coups from 1725 to 1762.
Reasons for palace coups in Russia
The culprit of the instability of the supreme power in the 18th century in Russia turned out to be Peter I, who in 1722 issued the “Decree on Succession to the Throne.”
This regulatory legal act became the cause of palace coups in Russia.
Thus, the circle of possible contenders for the throne expanded.
After the death of Peter I, Russia entered a long period of palace coups.
Already on the eve of the death of Peter I, January 25-26, 1725, a split arose among the highest ranks of the empire. One group (Apraksin, Golitsyn, Repnin, Dolgoruky, Musin-Pushkin and Golovkin) advocated the enthronement of Peter I’s grandson, Tsarevich Peter Alekseevich, and the establishment of a regency system - the rule of Peter I’s wife, Ekaterina Alekseevna, together with the Senate.
Another group (Prince A.D. Menshikov, Yaguzhinsky, Buturlin, P.A. Tolstoy) defended Catherine’s candidacy as an autocratic empress. The dispute went far, but assertiveness and reliance on the guards regiments at a critical moment ensured the elevation of Ekaterina Alekseevna to the throne after the death of Peter the Great on January 28, 1725.
Coup in favor of Ekaterina Alekseevna
After the death of the emperor, diplomat and associate of Peter I Andrei Ivanovich Osterman entered into an alliance with the most influential person of the Peter I era - A. D. Menshikov with the aim of enthroning Empress Catherine. Although, there were other contenders, in particular, the son of Tsarevich Alexei - Peter (the future Peter II).
As a result of the coup organized by Menshikov with the support of the guard, it was Catherine I who came to power.
Catherine's inability to govern was compensated for by the creation in February 1726 of the highest government institution - the Supreme Privy Council, staffed by the new nobility, Peter's closest associates. Menshikov quickly took over the Supreme Privy Council and, taking advantage of the boundless trust of the sick Catherine, became the de facto ruler of the country.
Political reshuffles in the era of Peter II
After the death of Catherine I in 1727, the question of power arose again. Alexei's son Peter II was declared emperor (according to the will of Catherine I). In July 1727 (that is, a month and a half after Catherine’s death), the “Charter on the Succession to the Throne” was withdrawn by Decree of the Supreme Privy Council.
Anna Petrovna and the “Holstein” group led by her made an unsuccessful attempt to plot against Menshikov-Osterman, and, ultimately, against the accession of the young Peter. The planned coup failed. Osterman was never able to exert the proper influence on the boy autocrat.
Of course, personal, informal communication with the sovereign gave Osterman truly limitless opportunities - this is how the overthrow of Menshikov was gradually prepared. However, in 1730, Peter II dies.
The era of palace coups is the name accepted in historical literature for a period in the political history of Russia when, as a result of the struggle of court factions with the support of the guard, a violent change of ruler or his immediate circle occurred repeatedly. The term was introduced by V.O. Klyuchevsky and was assigned to the period 1725-1762.
Over the course of 37 years, six emperors replaced the Russian throne. Palace coups accompanied the accession to the throne of Catherine I (1725), Anna Ioannovna (1730), Elizaveta Petrovna (1741), and Catherine II (1762). In addition, the removal of the actual leaders of the government A.D. Menshikov (1727) and E.I. Biron (1740), while maintaining the power of the ruling sovereign, are also considered palace coups. A number of researchers also include the assassination of Paul I in 1801, the Streltsy uprising of 1689, and even the Decembrist uprising in 1825.
Palace coups were a product of the Russian political system of this period - when the autocratic form of government with the unlimited power of the emperor was combined with the weak legal status of the highest state institutions and a fragile class structure. Both the Senate and the successive councils under the monarch (the Supreme Privy Council in 1726-1730, the Cabinet of Ministers in 1731-1741, the Conference at the Highest Court in 1756-1762) did not have a legislatively established range of powers, were directly dependent on the monarch and could not prevent palace coups. Accordingly, the political struggle was a struggle for influence on the emperor and often took the form of court conspiracies and palace coups.
A major role was played by the “Decree on Succession to the Throne” of Peter I of February 5, 1722, which abolished the old order of succession to the throne and made it dependent on the personal will of the testator; this decree made it possible for several contenders to the throne to emerge. In addition, the Romanov family in the male line ended with the death of Peter II (1730); from that time on, the rights to the throne of all possible contenders were undisputed.
The main weapon in the struggle of political groups was the court guard (primarily the Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments). The Guards regiments during this period were a close-knit, privileged and well-paid part of the army; they were personally subordinate to the monarch, their commanders were themselves senior dignitaries. The inclusion of the Russian Empire in the system of international relations of that time led to the appearance at the Russian court of permanent representations of European powers, which also intervened in the political struggle and directly participated in a number of palace coups.
After the death of Peter I, a split arose in the highest echelons of power around the future contender for the throne: the grandson of Peter I, Peter, and the widow of the tsar, Ekaterina Alekseevna. In 1725, through the efforts of the new Peter the Great nobility, A.D. Menshikova, P.I. Yaguzhinsky, P.A. Tolstoy and others, with the support of the guard (its commanders, A.I. Ushakov, I.I. Buturlin, acted on behalf of the guard), Catherine I was erected.
Catherine I, who died in 1727, appointed eleven-year-old Peter Alekseevich as her successor in her will; the closest associate of Peter I, A.D., became the de facto ruler of the state. Menshikov. However, already in September 1727, as a result of the court intrigues of the Dolgorukys and A.I. Osterman, he was removed from power and sent into exile with his family.
By the time of the death of Peter II (1730), the main power functions were concentrated in the hands of the Supreme Privy Council, which included representatives of the old aristocracy (of its eight members, five represented the Dolgoruky and Golitsyn families). It was decided to invite Anna Ioannovna, the daughter of Ivan V, to the Russian throne, under the conditions of limiting autocratic power in favor of the Supreme Privy Council (“Condition”). It was not only about the elevation of a specific sovereign to the throne, but also about an attempt to change the existing form of government. However, a wide circle of the nobility became aware of the plans of the “supreme leaders”, their dissatisfaction with these plans was revealed, and, relying on the guard (this time, senior officers of the guard regiments participated in political discussions), Anna Ioannovna publicly tore up the “Conditions”, maintaining the autocratic form of government ( 1730).
In 1740, the forceful tactics of a coup were tested: under the command of B.Kh. Minikh's guards arrested E.I., appointed regent under Ivan VI Antonovich, the great-grandson of Ivan V. Biron and his immediate circle. Subsequently, it was precisely this type of palace coup, in which the guards participated as a striking force, that became the main method of political struggle. In 1741, Elizaveta Petrovna, relying on her entourage and the guards regiments of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, overthrew the government of Ivan VI Antonovich, unpopular among the Russian nobility, and arrested him and his family.
In 1762, due to the widespread dissatisfaction of the nobles with the foreign policy steps of Peter III (primarily the St. Petersburg Peace of 1762, which was perceived as a unilateral rejection of acquisitions made as a result of the Seven Years' War), a conspiracy matured in the guard (the Orlov brothers, N.I. . Panin, etc.), and on June 28, 1762, as a result of a coup, his wife Catherine II ascended the throne.
The end of the era of palace coups is associated with the consolidation of the Russian nobility, the development of its class institutions, the final formation of the political elite of the Russian Empire and the constitution of the system of supreme state bodies.
From the second quarter of the 18th century. (1725 - death of Peter I) an era began in Russia, called palace coups. This period was characterized by: 1) a fierce struggle between different political forces in the country; 2) the guard played a large role in the palace coups. During this period, it was almost the decisive political force in the country; 3) development of favoritism.
1. Reign of Catherine I and Peter II:
Peter died after a long illness on January 28, 1725. After his death, people from his closest circle elevated the wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I, to the Russian throne. A.D. had a great influence on the empress. Menshikov, who actually ruled the country. In 1727, Catherine I died, and her successor was the 12-year-old Tsarevich Peter, the son of the deceased Tsarevich Alexei.
2. Reign of Anna Ioannovna (1730–1740):
Soon, in 1730, Peter II suddenly died from smallpox. By decision of the Supreme Privy Council, the Duchess of Courland, Anna Ioannovna, was elevated to the Russian throne. Inviting Anna Ioannovna to the Russian throne, D.M. Golitsyn and V.L. Dolgoruky drew up special conditions, conditions, on the basis of which Anna was supposed to rule the country.
According to the conditions: 1) Anna had to rule the country together with the Supreme Privy Council; 2) not make laws; 3) not manage the treasury; 4) not to get married; 5) not to appoint an heir, etc. But 2 weeks after arriving in Moscow, Anna Ioannovna broke the rules and announced the restoration of autocracy, then abolished the Privy Council. The Duke of Courland E. Biron played a major role in the empress’s entourage. He actually managed the affairs of the state. That is why the reign of Anna Ioannovna is often called the Bironovschina. Bironovism became the personification of the dominance of foreigners in governing the country. This situation caused discontent in the circles of the Russian nobility.
3. Reign of Elizabeth Petrovna (1741–1761):
Anna Ioannovna died in 1740. During the next palace coup, the daughter of Peter I, Elizaveta Petrovna, was elevated to the Russian throne (thanks to the help of the guard). During her reign, Russia returned to the policies of Peter I. The role of the Senate was restored, the rights of the nobles were expanded, and the merchants received new privileges. Under Elizabeth, a university was opened in Moscow (1755). Almost the entire period of Elizabeth Petrovna’s reign was peaceful, the country did not wage wars.
4. Reign of Peter III:
Elizaveta Petrovna died in 1761. Peter III, the grandson of Peter I, became the new emperor of Russia. Researchers have an ambiguous assessment of the personality and policies of Peter III. Peter III issued decrees that continued the line of his predecessors. For example, a Decree was published (1762), which exempted nobles from compulsory state and military service, thus turning the nobility from a servant into a privileged class. The Secret Chancellery was liquidated, etc.
At the same time, the actions of Peter III were unprincipled and chaotic. He was rude to his family and loved ones, and spent a lot of time on carousing. In the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), the Prussian army suffered defeats and was almost doomed. Peter III, having come to power, made peace with Prussia and returned to it the territories conquered by Russia. In 1762, with the help of the guard, another coup was carried out. His wife, Catherine II, was proclaimed empress. Peter III was killed.
The historical meaning of the era of palace coups:
It is important to note that pretenders to the Russian throne widely used the imperial guard as a tool in the struggle for power. Because of this, the role and importance of the guard increased significantly. For their services, the nobles demanded social privileges from the rulers. The increasing role of the nobles was an expression of the weakness of monarchical power, which became, in essence, a hostage of the “Praetorian Guard.” Therefore, the monarchy made “indulgences” for the nobility. It is no coincidence that researchers call this period the beginning of the formation of a “noble monarchy” in Russia. In Russia, a system of “co-government” between the autocracy and the nobility is actually being established.
It is important to emphasize that, in general, the positive process of expanding the rights and social freedom of the nobility, which was achieved, however, through very dubious means, came at the expense of the further enslavement of the peasantry. This contradiction of the era became the core of Russian social progress. It seriously distorted not only the nature of autocratic power, but also the entire nature of social relations in society. As a result, the country gradually became more divided and the social conflict intensified.
In the Russian Empire, the change of power occurred mainly through palace coups carried out by noble groups with the assistance of guards regiments. In Russian historiography, this period is called the era of palace coups.
The beginning of the era is considered to be February 8 (January 28, old style) 1725, when Emperor Peter I died without leaving an heir and without having time to implement his decree of 1722, according to which the tsar had the right to appoint his own successor. Among the contenders for the throne were the grandson of Peter I - the young Tsarevich Pyotr Alekseevich, the wife of the late Tsar Ekaterina Alekseevna and their daughters - the Tsarevnas Anna and Elizabeth. It is believed that at first Peter I was going to leave the throne to Anna, but then he changed his mind and for the first time in Russian history he crowned his wife Catherine. However, shortly before the death of the king, the relationship between the spouses deteriorated sharply. Each of the contenders had their own supporters. On the day of the emperor’s death, Alexander Menshikov, who supported Catherine, configured the guards regiments accordingly, lined them up under the windows of the palace - this is how he achieved the proclamation of the queen as an autocratic empress. The way the issue was resolved anticipated subsequent events.
In 1727, during the reign of Peter the Great’s grandson Peter II, Menshikov himself became a victim of the coup, having by that time concentrated all power in his hands and completely controlled the young tsar. Menshikov’s unexpected illness was taken advantage of by his political opponents, princes Dolgoruky and Andrei Osterman, who managed to gain influence on the tsar and achieve a decree first on the resignation and then on Menshikov’s exile to Siberia.
After the death of Peter II in 1730, the Supreme Privy Council appointed Anna Ioannovna, the niece of Peter I, as empress, who ruled for 10 years.
In October 1740, Anna Ioannovna died, leaving the Russian imperial throne to her great-nephew, the two-month-old infant Ivan Antonovich, under the regency of the Duke of Courland, Ernst Biron.
Unpopular and without support in any layer of society, the duke behaved arrogantly, defiantly, and soon quarreled with the parents of the infant emperor.
On the night of November 20 (9 old style) 1740, Field Marshal Burchard Christoph Munnich with 80 guardsmen burst into the Summer Palace and, encountering almost no resistance, arrested Biron. Ivan Antonovich's mother Anna Leopoldovna, grandniece of Peter I, was declared the ruler of Russia, and his father, Prince Anton Ulrich of Brunswick, received the title of generalissimo and commander-in-chief of the Russian army. Minich, who expected to become a generalissimo, resigned.
Anna Leopoldovna was completely incapable of governing the state. Residents of the capital turned their aspirations to Elizabeth - the daughter of Catherine I and Peter I, whose reign was remembered as a time of military victories, order and discipline. The abundance of foreigners at court was also one of the factors that irritated both the guard and St. Petersburg residents.
People from Anna Leopoldovna's entourage saw Elizabeth as a threat and demanded that her dangerous competitor be removed from St. Petersburg by marrying her off or sending her to a monastery. Such danger and her own environment pushed Elizabeth to plot. The crown princess's doctor, Johann Lestocq, brought her together with the French ambassador, Marquis Jacques Chetardy, who, if Elizabeth came to power, counted on Russia's renunciation of the alliance with Austria and rapprochement with France. Swedish Ambassador Nolken also sought a change in Russian foreign policy, hoping to achieve a revision of the terms of the Treaty of Nystadt in 1721, which secured Russia's possessions in the Baltic states.
On the night of December 6 (November 25, old style) 1741, Elizaveta Petrovna led a company of grenadiers of the Preobrazhensky Regiment to storm the Winter Palace. The soldiers blocked all entrances and exits, arrested Anna Leopoldovna and her family and proclaimed the crown princess empress.
The Empress took care of the successor in advance, already at the very beginning of her reign, announcing her nephew Peter Fedorovich as the successor.
On January 5, 1762 (December 25, 1761, old style) Elizaveta Petrovna died, Peter Fedorovich became Emperor Peter III. Almost from the first days of his reign, a conspiracy began to mature around the new king, headed by his wife Catherine, nee Princess of Anhalt-Zerbst, who came from an impoverished German princely family.
The couple never got along, but now Peter openly showed disdain for his wife and son, appearing everywhere in the company of his favorite Elizaveta Vorontsova. Catherine understood that she was facing prison or deportation abroad. Active participants in the coup were the Orlov brothers, popular among the guards, the teacher of Grand Duke Pavel Nikita Panin and his niece Princess Ekaterina Dashkova, Hetman of Ukraine Kirill Razumovsky.
On the night of July 7 (June 28, old style), 1762, Alexei Orlov brought Catherine from Peterhof to the barracks of the Izmailovsky regiment in St. Petersburg, where the guards took the oath to the new autocrat. By nine in the morning, Catherine, accompanied by soldiers, arrived at the Kazan Cathedral, where the Semenovsky, Preobrazhensky and Horse Guards regiments soon arrived. Her son Pavel Petrovich was also brought here. In the presence of nobles, Catherine was solemnly proclaimed empress and Paul heir. From the cathedral she went to the Winter Palace, where members of the Senate and Synod took the oath.
On the same day, Peter III arrived with his retinue from Oranienbaum to Peterhof, where he learned about the coup d'etat. In the evening he went to Kronstadt, hoping to rely on the military forces of the fortress. But Admiral Ivan Talyzin, sent by Catherine, did not allow Peter to land on the shore under the threat of opening fire. Having finally lost his presence of mind, the deposed emperor decided to return to Oranienbaum and enter into negotiations with the empress. When his proposal to share power was left unanswered by Catherine, Peter III signed an abdication of the throne. He was sent to a country palace in Ropsha, and the Holstein troops loyal to him were disarmed. On July 17 (6 old style), the former Emperor Peter III suddenly and, apparently, died violently.
After the death of Peter I (1725) and before Catherine II (1762-1796) came to power, six monarchs and many political forces behind them replaced the Russian throne.
The material was prepared based on information from open sources
State Historical Museum. Hall 23. The era of palace coups, continued. Previous report in the article.
According to the figurative expression of V.O. Klyuchevsky, the period of Russian history after the death of Peter I until the accession of Empress Catherine II was called the “era of palace coups.” In 37 years, six rulers have replaced the Russian throne. After Peter I, his second wife, Catherine I, ruled. After her death, the grandson of Peter I, Peter II, ascended the throne. He was replaced by the niece of the first emperor, Anna Ioannovna, followed by Anna Ioannovna’s great-nephew Ioann Antonovich. Then “Petrov’s daughter”, Elizaveta Petrovna, reigned and was succeeded by Peter I’s grandson, Peter III. Finally, in 1762, Catherine II ascended the throne.
On the right side of the hall there is a row of portraits representing a succession of Russian emperors and their favorites of the second quarter of the 18th century.
The gallery opens with a portrait of Catherine the First. 
Next to her is His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Danilovich Menshikov. 
Next is a portrait of the young Emperor Peter II. 
On the wall opposite the window, after Osterman and Biron, we will see a portrait of the niece of Peter I, Empress Anna Ioannovna. 
In conclusion, let us pay attention to the portrait of Peter’s daughter, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. 
Showcases 1 – 3. The era of palace coups. Fight for the throne
Catherine I
(Showcase 1, to the right of the entrance to the hall).
After the death of Peter I, with the support of Menshikov and the guard, Catherine I ascends the throne. She rules for two years from 1725 until her death in 1727. Her kingdom was not marked by anything special. The first showcase features a portrait of the empress with her family tree. 
The era of palace coups. A.D. Menshikov
(Showcase 2). 
In 1727, with the support of the old aristocratic families, Peter II ascended the throne. He was a boy, and for three years there was a struggle for influence on the young sovereign. In this struggle, A.D. Menshikov is defeated, he is sent into exile in Berezov, deprived of all ranks, orders and wealth. The “Sign” icon is a relic. Alexander Danilovich Menshikov blessed his son with this icon. 
This is the only surviving item associated with the name of Menshikov in Moscow. (Some items are exhibited in St. Petersburg). The Most Serene Prince was buried on the river bank; the grave was washed away during a flood.
The era of palace coups. Peter II
Among the favorites at the court of Peter II, the main place is occupied by the princes Dolgoruky. It is believed that Ivan Dolgoruky began to introduce the young emperor to entertainment establishments too early. Obviously, a 15-year-old boy does not want to study, but wants to have fun, so Dolgoruky found himself in favor. Young Pyotr Alekseevich died unexpectedly, having contracted smallpox. In February, during the blessing of water, he went to the deforested Jordan in a light uniform, without warm clothes. He caught a cold, caught smallpox and “burned out” within two weeks, on the eve of his wedding.
His unexpected death put Russia in a strange difficult position - who will rule? There are no direct descendants in the male line from the Romanov dynasty. There are only women's ones left. Then they turned to the line of Peter I’s brother, Tsar Ivan Alekseevich.
The era of palace coups. Anna Ioannovna. The history of the calling to the kingdom
(Showcase 3). 
Peter's co-ruler, Ivan, had two daughters - Catherine and Anna. Catherine was married to the Duke of Mecklenburg. At first, as a married European lady, they wanted to invite Ekaterina Ioannovna. But then they remembered that her husband, the Duke of Mecklenburg, had a habit of interfering in all matters, when asked and not asked. Fearing that the entire Duchy of Mecklenburg would come to Russia with Catherine, they did not invite her. We turned to Ivan Alekseevich’s second daughter, Dowager Duchess Anna Ioannovna. She lived in distant Courland (part of modern Latvia). 
Her fate was sad. Peter married his niece to the Duke of Courland. But on the way to the duchy, the husband died from heavy drunkenness. Anna Ioannovna left St. Petersburg a relatively happy young wife. She arrived in Courland already as a widow. Her uncle, Peter I, did not allow her to return to Russia and she spent over 15 years in very cramped circumstances. She didn’t even have enough money to lead a decent life. The local nobility did not like the Russian duchess and she was a hostage in political games.
But in 1730, fate brought her from a poor state to the Russian throne. Anna Ioannovna was invited to Russia as empress. But with reservations, that is, conditions, the so-called “conditions”, in which the nobility limited its rights. For the first time in Russian history, it was decided not just to invite, but to limit the rights of the autocrat to the throne.
The era of palace coups. Conditions
The conspiracy was led by Dmitry Mikhailovich Golitsyn and the Supreme Privy Council. D.M. Golitsyn is an outstanding figure in Russian history. A man of great intelligence and education, a relative of Vasily Vasilyevich Golitsyn - a reformer, adviser to Sofia Alekseevna. They secretly came up with famous conditions that soon became known to many. The Moscow nobility intervened in the matter. When the Moscow nobles heard that the empress was being invited and her rights to the throne were being limited, they were indignant. The nobles were divided into two parties - one believed that it was necessary to preserve the monarchy in its original form. Others (also for the first time in Russian history) said - okay, the empress’s rights were limited, but they did not consult with us. We also want to put forward our conditions. Thus, for the first time in history, the Russian nobility is creating its own projects to limit power.
Several air conditioning projects have been created. Studying the history of conditions is like reading a detective novel - everyone tried to send their messenger to Mitava, get ahead of their opponent, tell Anna Ioannovna to sign this and not that, etc.
Anna Ioannovna came to Moscow, stopped near Moscow in the village of Tainitsky and began to realize that she had support. There are people at court who stand for her full rights! The newly-crowned empress had absolutely no intention of fulfilling any conditions. She decided to act in a proven way and bribed the guard. Not so much with money, but with pity - she built shelves, said that the widow was being insulted, that she was not given all her rights, and offered a glass of vodka with a silver ruble. The Guard supported her and the matter ended with Anna Ioannovna tearing up all her standards and reigning as a full-fledged empress.
In showcase 4 you can display a cuirass from 1730 (the year of Anna’s accession to the throne) with the empress’s monogram. 
One of the swords bears the inscription “Vivat, Anna.” 
At the exhibition (display case 3) we see a document - Anna Ioannovna’s manifesto on the abolition of the Privy Council and the restoration of the Governing Senate. That is, the monarchy, as before in Russia, remained absolute. 
The era of palace coups. John Antonovich - heir to the throne
(Showcase 6) 
Another interesting story is connected with the era of palace coups - the story of Ivan Antonovich. Anna Ioannovna died in 1740. Since she did not have the right to remarry, she did not have children. But an heir was needed. The Empress summoned her niece, Anna Leopoldovna, the daughter of Catherine Ivanovna’s sister, and married her to Anton Ulrich of Brunswick. (The portrait of Anna Leopoldovna is on the left above showcase 6). 
From this marriage a boy was born, John Antonovich. The Empress declared this boy, her great-nephew, heir to the throne.
Showcase 6 (in the center of the right wall)
When Anna died, the heir was only a few months old. In the collection of the State Historical Museum there is a unique image of Ivan Antonovich, who lies in a cradle, around him are muses, nymphs, geniuses, a solemn light overshadows him, on the blanket is the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, the highest Russian order. 
The boys of the royal family received this order immediately after birth.
The era of palace coups. Ivan Antonovich - the fate of the deposed emperor
A few months later, a new palace coup changed the fate of the infant emperor. Elizaveta Petrovna came to power. For the first three years, the boy lived in exile with his parents in Kholmogory. Then he was taken from his parents and sent to the Shlisselburg fortress. He sat there for 21 years in complete isolation with the windows boarded up. Nobody taught him science. It is believed that one of the commandants, out of pity, taught him to read so that he could read the Gospel and the Holy Scriptures - the only books that the unfortunate Ivan Antonovich was allowed to have. They even took him to the bathhouse at night.
All items associated with his name and short reign were destroyed, including the melting down of coins with his image. Documents with his names and portraits were destroyed everywhere. The museum truly houses a unique image. Only three or four of these have survived. Also on display are documents from his mother, coins, and a seal. 
By 1764, everyone had forgotten about Ivan Antonovich, there were only rumors about a mysterious prisoner. One of the guards, Lieutenant Vasily Mirovich, decided to release him. There is a version that this was a provocation initiated by Catherine II in order to get rid of her rival for the throne. But while Mirovich and a small detachment stormed the fortress, the guards killed the prisoner. They had a special order to liquidate the disgraced ruler at the slightest attempt at liberation.
The era of palace coups. Elizaveta Petrovna
According to the canons of the 18th century, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna had no rights to the throne. She was born before her parents' official marriage, and besides, her mother was not of royal descent. Such “baggage” kept “Petrova’s daughter” from claiming the throne for quite a long time.
The exhibition presents a ceremonial portrait of Elizabeth Petrovna. 
Many such portraits were painted, since a portrait of the emperor had to be in every public place. Sometimes there was even a throne under the portrait, that is, the emperor seemed to be invisibly present in official places. Elizabeth is depicted in ceremonial court dress. On the shoulders is a mantle, the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.
Seven Years' War. Showcases 10 and 11
Showcases 10 and 11. State Historical Museum. Hall 23 The reign of Elizaveta Petrovna was of particular importance in the history of Russia in the mid-18th century. Petrov’s daughter continued her father’s reforms, and it was under her that Russia’s international authority strengthened, especially thanks to its participation in the Seven Years’ War against the Prussian king Frederick the Great.
The Seven Years' War had a pan-European significance; the whole of Europe watched its progress. The artifacts are located in showcase 10, under the portrait of Elizaveta Petrovna. 
In showcase 10 there is a snuff box with an image of Frederick and battle scenes. 
The Prussian king Frederick is a talented commander. Snuff box with a portrait of Elizaveta Petrovna. 
Snuff boxes with portraits indicate the popularity and interest in Europe in the personalities of Elizabeth Petrovna and Frederick the Great - the main forces opposing each other in the Seven Years' War.
Showcase 11 in the State Historical Museum collection is dedicated to the Seven Years' War with Prussia, where Russia initially won victories. 
The exhibition presents unique monuments - coins that are both German and Russian coins. (On one side there is a German thaler, on the other side there is a Russian ruble). 
Russian coins were minted for circulation in Prussia. From 1759 to 1761, East Prussia was annexed to Russia, the population took an oath of allegiance to Elizabeth Petrovna, and such money was in circulation.
The era of palace coups. Peter III
The last overthrown emperor was the grandson of Peter I and Catherine I, the son of their daughter Anna Petrovna, the nephew of the reigning Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, Pyotr Fedorovich. He was orphaned very early and it is believed that his early orphanhood played a tragic role in his fate - no one was involved in his upbringing, he was left in the care of lackeys who early taught him to drink. They brought him to Russia under Elizaveta Petrovna as the heir to the throne. But at the Russian court, no one was particularly happy to see him either; Pyotr Fedorovich did not have the best reputation.
It was Peter III who adopted the manifesto on the freedom of the nobility. From now on, the first free class appeared in Russia - the nobility. They had the right to choose the type of service or not to serve at all, that is, to lead the life they saw fit.
Peter III did not like the Russian army. He moved the Russian officers away from himself and brought the Holstein nobles and their guard closer. This was one of the reasons that led to the conspiracy against him. But the main reason was the betrayal of Peter III towards the Russian Empire. He made peace with Prussia and gave Prussia all the conquests that Russia made during the Seven Years' War. The exhibition includes a symbolic painting of Peter III reconciling with Frederick the Great (window 11). 
A curious snuff box depicting three European monarchs (display case 11). 
Dislike for Peter III provoked a conspiracy, as a result of which a woman came to power, the wife of Peter Fedorovich, who had no rights to the throne at all - Catherine II. The exposition of other halls tells about her reign.
Previously, a portrait of Peter III hung on the narrow wall between the arches of the exit to the 24th hall. Now there is a battle scene hanging here - a conclusion to the capture of the Ochakov fortress. 
Masquerade sleigh
A unique item in the hall’s collection is a masquerade sleigh. In the 18th century, a tradition appeared to hold masquerades, carnivals, and processions. Similar sleighs were also used during holidays. The sleigh was secured to the train (there are special loops on the sides of the sleigh for securing them to the train). Dressed up characters sat in the sleigh. A sleigh made in Austria is a characteristic item of the era. 
Showcase 13. Trumpets for horn orchestra
The exhibition includes a rare set of musical instruments, these are trumpets for a horn orchestra. Each trumpet played only one note at a certain pitch. It was impossible to play anything else on it, so to perform even a simple melody, a whole orchestra and several musicians were needed.
The museum managed to collect a unique collection of horns - by the beginning of the 19th century they had disappeared, such an orchestra was expensive and it was ruinous to maintain it. 
Most of the horns were melted down, but they managed to assemble a collection. The music played sounded like an organ.
There is an engraving in the window - an illustration of this kind of orchestra. 
Showcase 15. M.V. Lomonosov
In the partition between the windows there is a portrait of M.V. Lomonosov, the first Russian scientist, and his personal belongings. 
An interesting bottle for experiments with oil. This alembic is made from quarters, a special type of travel container designed for transporting and storing liquids. The cube was used to conduct experiments on the distillation of liquids in the first Russian chemical laboratory created by Lomonosov. 
Next to it is a small icon of the Savior, made by Lomonosov himself. The image was made of glass by order of Countess Shuvalova. Many clearly see in the image of the Savior a portrait of Peter I himself. 
Here are books, documents that represent the breadth of M.V. Lomonosov’s creativity - his poems, historical works, scientific works and a fireworks program - Lomonosov developed a program for the holidays.
In the display case there is an engraving of fireworks. Fireworks were a whole fiery performance, which was conceived according to a certain system and a script was written, as for a theatrical performance.