Personalities of the period of palace coups

The period of palace coups is a bright page in the history of Russia. History is made by people. The article provides information about the most famous personalities of this period - statesmen and military figures, leaders of popular uprisings.

At the exam in history there are assignments No. 18-19, in which questions can be given on portraits of famous personalities. It will be necessary either to find out what kind of people they are, or to single out the one who was a contemporary of the ruler referred to in task No. 18. Therefore, look at the faces of these people of that distant era - the era of palace coups. It was they who were contemporaries of Anna Ioannovna, Elizabeth Petrovna, Catherine II. It was thanks to many of them that Russia became a powerful and strong power.

Personalities	Activity.
Biron E.I. (1690-1772)	Favorite Anna Ioannovna. Significantly influenced foreign and domestic policy. After the death of the Empress, he was removed. Sent to exile. Peter III returned him to Petersburg, under Catherine II he was the Duke of Courland. (See the historical portrait of Biron on the website: : historical - portrait . en )
Buturlin A.B. (1694-1767)	Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army in the Seven Years' War in 1760-1761. From 1762 - Moscow governor-general.
Vorontsov M.I. (1714-1767)	Member of the palace coup in 1741. Headed the foreign policy of Russia under Elizaveta Petrovna, senator, chancellor.

Vorontsov R.I. (1707- 1783)	Statesman, senator, since 1760 - Chairman of the Legislative Commission. His daughter Ekaterina was the favorite of Peter III, so Vorontsov himself was the most influential figure in the reign of Peter III.
Golitsyn D.M. (1665-1737)	One of the initiators of the invitation to the throne of Anna Ioannovna and the limitation of her power by the Supreme Privy Council. In 1737 he was deprived of all ranks, imprisoned in the Shlisselburg fortress, where he died.
Golovkin G.I. (1660-1734)	In 1726-1730 he was a member of the Supreme Privy Council, an opponent of Menshikov. He destroyed the will of Catherine I, according to which the throne was transferred to the daughters of Peter I, was the initiator of the invitation to the throne of Anna Ioannovna, under her until her death he was the first cabinet minister.
Dashkova E.R. (1744 – 1810)	The princess, an active participant in the coup of 1762, took part in the creation of the Free Russian Assembly at Moscow University. From 1783 - director of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. From the same 1783 - President of the Russian Academy. In 1796, Paul I sent her into retirement, then into exile. After his death, she was engaged in charity and scientific activities.
Dolgorukov V.M. (1722-1822)	Warlord, prince. Participated in the war with Sweden in 1741-1743, led the capture of the Crimea in 1771, for which he received the title Crimean. From 1780 - commander in chief in Moscow.
Kosciuszko Tadeusz (1746-1817)	Leader of the Polish uprising in 1794.
Minikh B.K. (1683-1767)	In Russian service since 1713. Under Anna Ioannovna, President of the Military Collegium. He commanded the Russian army in the war with Turkey in 1735-1739. Later he had no political influence.
Orlov A.G. (1737-1808)	State and military figure. An active participant in the coup of 1762, one of the influential figures under Catherine II, the Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet in the war with Turkey, won in 1770 at Chesma. Received the title of prince Chesme. He brought out a breed of Oryol trotters. During the reign of Paul I was abroad, he returned in 1801.
Orlov G.G. (1734 – 1783)	Military and statesman, favorite of Catherine II, one of the leaders of the coup of 1762. Count, commander of artillery, in 1771 led the suppression of the plague riot in Moscow. Creator and first president Free Economic Society from 1765. From 1775 - retired, went abroad.
Osterman A.I. (1686-1747)	In the Russian service since 1703, a member of the Supreme Privy Council, educator and mentor of Peter II. Since 1731 - the actual head of the domestic and foreign policy of Russia. After the coup of 1741, he was exiled to Berezov.
Panin N.I. (1718-1783)	Statesman, participant in the coup of 1762 Pavel's tutor, headed the board of foreign affairs in 1763-1781.
Panin P.I. (1721-1789)	Military leader, participant in the Seven Years' War and wars with Turkey, in 1774 he led the troops, who suppressed the Pugachev uprising.
Poniatowski Stanislav August (1732-1798)	The last Polish king, ruled in 1764-1795. In politics, he focused on Russia.
Potemkin G.A. (1739-1791)	Statesman and military figure, favorite Catherine II. Member of the palace coup in 1762. From 1774 - President of the Military Collegium. Member of the Turkish war of 1768-1774. Suppressed the Pugachev uprising. In 1775 - the initiator of the liquidation of the Zaporizhzhya Sich. In 1783 - achieved accession Crimea to Russia, received the title Tauride. Supervised the creation of the Black Sea Fleet. The commander-in-chief of the army in the war with Turkey in 1787-1791, Suvorov A.V., Kutuzov M.I. were under his command. Ushakov F.F.
Pugachev Emelyan (? 1740- 1775)	Leader of the Peasants' War, originally from the Cossacks. Under the name of Peter III, he led the uprising of the Yaik Cossacks in August 1773, in September 1774 he was extradited by conspirators, in 1775 he was executed in Moscow on Bolotnaya Square. (See the historical portrait of Pugachev on the website: : historical - portrait . en )
Razumovsky A.G. (1728-1803)	The last hetman of Ukraine. From 1746-1765 - President of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. He supported Lomonosov M.V., under Catherine II - Member of the State Council.
Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky P.A. (1725 – 1796)	Outstanding commander. Member of all Russian wars since 1741. One of the organizers of the Russian regular army, the creator of new forms of combat. Outstanding military theorist. His works: "Instructions", 1761; "Rite of Service", 1770; "Thoughts", 1777. They served as military training aids.
Salavat Yulaev (1752-1800)	Bashkir national hero, associate of Pugachev. Since 1774 he was taken prisoner and sent to eternal penal servitude.
Saltykov P.S. (1698-1772)	A military leader, participated in the war with Poland in 1734, with Sweden in 1741-1743 .. in the Seven Years' War he commanded troops in 1759-1760, won a number of victories. From 1764 - Governor-General of Moscow. Dismissed after the plague riot in 1771.
Suvorov A.V. (1730-1800)	Great Russian commander, Count Rymniksky (from 1789), Prince of Italy (from 1799), Generalissimo (from 1799). Participant of the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763 and wars with Turkey under Catherine II, won a number of victories. In 1799 he brilliantly conducted the Swiss and Italian campaigns. Author of military-theoretical works: "The Science of Winning""and" Regimental institution. He did not lose a single battle, his strategy was offensive. (See the historical portrait of Suvorov A. on the website: : historical - portrait . en )
Ushakov F.F. (1744-1817)	Outstanding Russian naval commander, admiral since 1799. Participant in both wars with Turkey under Catherine 2.
Cherkassky A.M. (1680-1742)	He was in major government posts under Anna Ioannovna, supported her. And after her death in 1740 he was appointed chancellor.
Shuvalov P.I. (1710-1762)	Actual head of government under Elizaveta Petrovna. In the 1950s, he determined the domestic policy of Russia, which was based on the ideas of "enlightened absolutism." The author of many reform projects in the economy and finance, participated in the reorganization of the army.

The material was prepared by Melnikova Vera Alexandrovna

Almost the entire 18th century in history is considered the period of palace coups, which began due to the absence of an heir appointed by Peter I. The most important role in the change of power was played by the guards, as well as numerous noble groups.

Palace revolutions cover the period from 1725 to 1762 of the 18th century. For almost forty years the country was in a state of political instability. During this time, six monarchs reigned on the Russian throne: Catherine I, Peter II, Anna Ioannovna, Ivan Antonovich with the actual regency of Anna Leopoldovna, Elizaveta Petrovna and Peter Fedorovich. Most of them came to power through the use of armed force. The main reason for this situation can be called the lack of a legislative framework that officially determines the successor to the monarch. In 1722, Peter I adopted a law on the heir, where he abolished the previously adopted forms of popular election or hereditary succession.

The main document, which expressed the personal will of the sovereign in choosing a successor, was to be a will. However, Peter himself never compiled it and did not express his will, which entailed far-reaching political consequences. The law of Peter I on the succession to the throne lasted until 1797. It was replaced by a new one, developed by Paul I, who legally established the succession of the throne through the male line.

The salient features of this period are:

• favoritism, permissiveness of temporary workers,
• the increased influence of the guardsmen, who became the backbone and support of the ruling regime,
• expansion of the privileges of the nobility,
• deterioration of the position of the peasantry.

Background and reasons

Background of the palace coup

Causes of palace coups

1) Contradictions between various noble groups in relation to the Petrine heritage. 2) The sharp struggle of 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 brought up as a privileged support of autocracy, which, moreover, took upon itself the right to control the conformity of the personality and policy of the monarch to the legacy that her beloved emperor left. 4) The passivity of the masses, absolutely far from the political life of the capital. 5) Aggravation of the problem of succession to the throne in connection with the adoption of the Decree of 1722, which broke the traditional mechanism for the 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) A large number of direct and indirect heirs claimed the Russian throne after the death of Peter; 3) The existing corporate interests of the nobility and tribal nobility manifested themselves 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 that sought to elevate their protege 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 guards were the driving force behind the coups. Indeed, it was the Guard during the period under review that decided the question of who should be on the throne.

The supreme legislative bodies under the imperial persons in the era of palace coups:

Name	Period of activity	Emperors
Supreme Privy Council		Catherine I, Peter II
Cabinet of Ministers		Anna Ioannovna
Conference at the Imperial Court		Elizaveta Petrovna
Imperial Council

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 the succession to the throne, accompanied by the struggle of court groups and carried out, as a rule, with the assistance of guards regiments.

The era of palace coups from 1725 to 1762.

Causes of palace coups in Russia

The culprit of the instability of the supreme power in Russia in the 18th century turned out to be Peter I, who in 1722 issued the “Decree on Succession to the Throne”.

This normative legal act became the reason for 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, on 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 the grandson of Peter I - Tsarevich Peter Alekseevich and the establishment of a regency system - the reign of Peter I's wife Ekaterina Alekseevna together with the Senate.

Another group (Prince A. D. Menshikov, Yaguzhinsky, Buturlin, P. A. Tolstoy) defended the candidacy of Catherine as an autocratic empress. The dispute went far, but assertiveness, reliance at a critical moment on the guards regiments ensured the enthronement after the death of Peter the Great on January 28, 1725, Ekaterina Alekseevna.

Coup in favor of Ekaterina Alekseevna

After the death of the emperor, Andrei Ivanovich Osterman, a diplomat and associate of Peter I, entered into an alliance with the most influential person of the Peter the Great 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 staged by Menshikov with the support of the Guard, it was Catherine I who came to power.

Catherine's inability to govern was compensated by the creation in February 1726 of the highest government institution - the Supreme Privy Council, staffed by new nobility, Peter's closest associates. Menshikov quickly subjugated the Supreme Privy Council and, using the boundless confidence 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. The son of Alexei, Peter II, was declared emperor (according to the will of Catherine I). In July 1727 (that is, a month and a half after the death of Catherine), the “Charter on the succession to the throne” was withdrawn by the Decree of the Supreme Privy Council.

Anna Petrovna and the "Holstein" group led by her made an unsuccessful attempt at a conspiracy against Menshikov-Osterman, and, ultimately, against the accession of the minor Peter. The planned coup failed. Osterman never managed to exert the proper influence on the autocratic boy.

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" in 1725-1762, when in the Russian Empire the change of power took place mainly through coups carried out by noble groups with the assistance of guards regiments. In 1725, A. D. Menshikov enthroned Catherine I, in 1727 the Dolgorukovs succeeded in exiling Menshikov from Peter II, in 1740 the Guard overthrew E. I. Biron, in 1741 Elizaveta Petrovna overthrew her husband Peter III . In a figurative sense, the term denotes a “quiet” coup, a change of power, usually carried out by the closest associates of the ruler or leader of the party or group.

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Palace coups

change of power as a result of the struggle of groupings within the ruling class while relying on the army (its privileged part). In modern usage - a "quiet" change of power.

The period (epoch) of palace coups in Russian history is usually called 1725 - 1762, when in the Russian Empire the supreme power passed from hand to hand mainly through coups that were carried out by noble groups with the support and assistance of the guard. During 1725 - 1761. There were six monarchs on the Russian throne.

Background and features of palace coups. In the second quarter of the 18th century, a period began in the history of Russia, which, according to the figurative expression of the historian V.O. Klyuchevsky, the name of the "epoch of palace coups". During this period, the struggle of court factions for power began, which was facilitated by the fact that after the death of Emperor Peter I in January 1725, there were no direct male heirs to the Russian throne (See the scheme "Romanov Dynasty"). In accordance with the law on succession to the throne, caused by the case of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, the emperor himself had to appoint a successor to himself, but did not have time. The struggle for the throne between noble groups brought to power mainly women from the royal family, or children. Their change was in the nature of palace coups. This was explained by the narrowly selfish interests mainly of two noble groups: titled, but not well-born nobility (A.D. Menshikov, P. Tolstoy, G.I. Golovkin, F.M. Apraksin, P.I. Yaguzhinsky, I.I. Buturlin ), who owed their elevation to Peter I and the “Table of Ranks” (See the article “Table of Ranks” in the anthology) and the well-born hereditary nobility (D.M. Golitsyn, Dolgorukov, N.V. Repnin), who believed that to govern is their original right. Between them there was a struggle for power and the new advantages and privileges associated with it.

At first, while the bureaucratic bureaucratic apparatus of government was still taking shape, the guards played a huge role in the country. The guards regiments were replenished mainly at the expense of the children of the nobles and were a kind of officer schools. At the same time, the guard was used both for the personal protection of the emperor and for organizing control over the activities of various institutions. It largely depended on the position of the guards regiments who would occupy the throne in St. Petersburg (See the diagram “Prerequisites for palace coups”). The class interests of the court groups influenced the position of the guard. A struggle for the throne began between the "insignificant heirs of the northern giant" (A.S. Pushkin).

The palace coup of 1725 and the reign of Catherine I. On January 28, 1725, at a meeting of the Senate, the issue of the successor of Peter I was decided. into account. The main candidates were Catherine I Alekseevna herself and the son of Tsarevich Alexei, who died in the casemates of the Peter and Paul Fortress, nine-year-old Peter (See the diagram “The Romanov Dynasty”).

Representatives of the new nobility were satisfied with the candidacy of Catherine I, they referred to her coronation in 1724.

The old well-born aristocracy, whose leader was D.M. Golitsyn, wanted to proclaim Peter II as Tsar, and Catherine I as regent.

At a meeting of the Senate, His Serene Highness Prince A.D. Menshikov sent guards to support Catherine I, as a result of which she became a full-fledged empress. So, on the day of the death of Emperor Peter I, the first palace coup of the 18th century took place.

Being a protégé of the guards and the new nobility, Catherine I Alekseevna played the role of a puppet in their hands (See the diagram "The reign of Catherine I"). After gaining power, the A.D. Menshikova sought to strengthen her position, therefore, the principle of length of service was further developed, because. the principle of the noble birth of the unborn Menshikov did not suit the guards either.

On February 8, 1726, Catherine I signed a decree on a new supreme state body - the Supreme Privy Council. It arose as a result of a compromise between A.D. Menshikov and D.M. Golitsyn (See the article “Decree on the establishment of the Supreme Privy Council” in the anthology).

It consisted of six people: from the unborn nobility - N.I. Panin, S.F. Apraksin, A.I. Osterman, G.I. Golovkin, P. Tolstoy and from the well-born aristocracy - D.M. Golitsyn.

Representatives of the new noble nobility hoped to calm the well-born aristocracy by giving it the appearance of power.

The old aristocracy sought to limit the power and influence of Menshikov.

Members of the Supreme Privy Council submitted to Catherine I "Opinion on the Supreme Privy Council", which noted that all state decisions are made by this new authority, the army and navy, and collegiums are under its jurisdiction. This move can be seen as an attempt to limit autocracy and introduce an aristocratic form of government. But soon, on May 6, 1727, Catherine I died.

Palace coup of 1727 Accession of Peter II. Catherine I, at the insistence of A.D. Menshikov, appointed Tsarevich Peter II Alekseevich, who was twelve years old, as her successor. He got engaged to his daughter A.D. Menshikov, therefore, the Most Serene Prince claimed the regency and full power. But the new nobility did not support Peter II Alekseevich and nominated Elizabeth Petrovna. Elizabeth's supporters succeeded in carrying out the coup. As a result, power went over to the side of the old nobility. HELL. Menshikov was arrested, deprived of all ranks and ranks, his property was confiscated and exiled with his family to Berezov, where he died two years later.

After the coup, the princes Dolgorukovs announced the sister of Prince Ivan Dolgorukov as the bride of Peter II. At this time, the old well-born aristocracy managed all the affairs in the country, but did not think to continue Peter's reforms and solve national problems. All her activities were expressed in the move of the court to Moscow, in an underlined disregard for the fleet, Peter's institutions and St. Petersburg. The leaders, in the person of the Dolgorukovs, wanted to restore the patriarchate, changed their trade and industrial policy, but failed to defend the interests of Russian trade abroad. Many commercial consulates in France and Spain were liquidated, foreign merchants traded duty-free in Russia, and the role of the St. Petersburg port fell. The leaders wanted to "fire" the industry, but they did not succeed, because Peter II died.

The palace coup of 1730 and the reign of Anna Ioannovna. On January 19, 1730, at the age of 15, Peter II died and again the question arose of replacing the throne.

The princes Dolgorukov wanted to enthrone the bride of Peter II, their relative. But this did not happen, since Catherine I, in the event of the death of Peter II, transferred the throne to Anna and Elizabeth (See the diagram “The Romanov Dynasty”).

The descendants of Tsar Ivan V Alekseevich (1682 - 1696), brother and co-ruler of Tsar Peter I, were two daughters - Catherine and Anna. The choice fell on Anna Ioanovna (Ivanovna) (1730 - 1740) - the Duchess of Courland. She was a widow and lived like an average landowner. This choice was due to the fact that the princes Dolgorukov and Golitsyn, who had a majority in the Supreme Privy Council, decided that a favorable environment had been created for changing the political system of the country and turning it into an aristocratic oligarchy (the power of the few), and Anna Ivanovna, who did not have formal rights to throne, will depend entirely on them.

The Supreme Privy Council presented Anna with conditions - the conditions on which she was invited to the throne. Under these conditions, the future empress was forbidden to declare war and conclude peace, spend state money, distribute treasury revenues, choose a successor to the throne, bring a favorite E.I. Biron, to deprive the gentry (nobility) of life without trial. The command of the troops passed to the Supreme Privy Council.

On February 15, 1730, Anna signed the terms and arrived in Moscow. During a solemn reception in the Kremlin Palace on the occasion of Anna's coronation, the nobility presented two petitions demanding the elimination of conditions. Anna signed the petitions with the demands of the nobles, broke the conditions and took the title of autocrat. She canceled the decree on single inheritance, reduced the term of service for the nobles, abolished the Supreme Privy Council, and sent the leaders to Siberia, to prisons or executed.

Traditionally, the reign of Anna Ioannovna is estimated as a period of German dominance. “They fell down like rubbish from a holey bag, stuck around the courtyard, sat down on the throne, climbed to all profitable places in management” (V.O. Klyuchevsky). Anna brought her favorite E.I. to Moscow. Biron, a semi-literate groom, whom she granted the title of Duke of Courland. Without occupying any posts at the court, he managed all the affairs in the state. Appointment to government posts, spending public funds, awards and privileges depended on him. Embezzlement and denunciations flourished in the country. There was no stable system in the structure of the governing bodies. The Supreme Privy Council was replaced by the Senate, but a year later the Senate was pushed aside by Her Majesty's Cabinet with advisory and executive functions.

These actions aroused the discontent of the nobility. At the same time, the decisions she made were typical for Russia at that time. In her policy, Anna Ioannovna relied on the nobles. She resumed the distribution of land to them, created two new guard regiments, and opened educational institutions for the children of nobles. She limited the term of service of the nobles to 25 years, etc. She also increased the rights of landowners over peasants. Dying, in 1740 Anna Ioanovna appointed Ivan Antonovich, the newly born grandson of her sister Ekaterina, as her successor, and E.I. Biron. This legitimized his power.

Palace coup of 1740 Emperor Ivan VI Antonovich. October 23, 1740 E.I. Biron issued two manifestos on the regency, but his situation was complicated by the struggle in the camp of his own supporters. Field Marshal B.K. rushed to power. Minich, head of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs A.I. Osterman and the mother of the newborn emperor Anna Leopoldovna.

Ivan VI Antonovich (1740-1741) remained emperor, and Anna Leopoldovna (1740-1741) became regent. Anna Leopoldovna did not have any social support inside the country, she was afraid of the guard, strengthened police supervision and tried to stay in power with the help of new and new repressions.

In the meantime, in the summer and autumn of 1741, a circle of friends and helpers formed around Elizaveta Petrovna. Elizabeth was supported by the foreign embassies of Sweden and France. Sweden offered military assistance, France - monetary.

After threats from Anna Leopoldovna, Elizaveta Petrovna stood at the head of the conspiracy.

The palace coup of 1741 and the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna. On November 25, 1741, a coup took place, and Elizaveta Petrovna turned out to be the head of state. She was enthroned by the guards and relied on her during her entire reign until 1761.

Elizabeth removed foreigners from all posts in the state apparatus. Representatives of the new nobility took their places, supporting the new empress. These are Trubetskoy, Razumovsky, Shuvalov, Bestuzhev-Ryumin and others. The role of the Senate was restored, poll taxes were reduced, and recruiting norms were changed in the interests of the landowners.

The Russian nobility became the master of the country by right of origin and position. The reign of Elizabeth Petrovna prepared the flourishing of the rights and liberties of the nobility. In 1754, the Noble Bank was established, in 1761 the New Genealogical Book was created. The nobles even demanded release from service, but this did not happen.

Elizaveta Petrovna did not sign death sentences, she patronized the sciences and arts.

Elizabeth's foreign policy was also successful. Russia defeated Prussia in the Seven Years' War (1756-1762) (See the historical map "The Seven Years' War 1756-1763"). At the first stage of the war, Prussia won, but in 1757 the Prussians were dealt a serious blow, and in the fall of 1760, Russian troops entered Berlin (See the Seven Years' War diagram), but at that time Elizaveta Petrovna died.

The palace coup of 1762. The son of the Duke of Holstein, Karl Peter Ulrich, became the successor of Elizabeth Petrovna. He was both the paternal grandson of Charles XII and the maternal grandson of Emperor Peter I. Karl Peter Ulrich, having ascended the throne, took the name of Peter III Fedorovich (1761 - 1762). He was an ardent admirer of the Prussian king Frederick II, so he made peace with Prussia and gave her all the lands conquered by Russia in the Seven Years' War. (See historical map "Seven Years' War")

The result of such a policy was that he turned the whole society against him. Being a fan of the Prussian drill, he tried to rely on the Holstein guard, and this threatened with a new Bironism. Therefore, after six months of his reign, on June 28, 1762, the guards carried out a conspiracy against Peter III and carried out the last palace coup in the 18th century, elevating his wife Catherine II Alekseevna to the Russian throne.

Emperor Peter III was going on June 29 to celebrate his name day in Peterhof. Taking advantage of the absence of the emperor in the capital and fearing that the plot would be discovered, on June 28, 1762, guards officers led by the Orlov brothers and the wife of the emperor, Ekaterina Alekseevna, carried out a palace coup. Guards regiments enthusiastically supported the new ruler, who was proclaimed autocratic empress in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. The Manifesto on the accession of Catherine II to the throne was read in the Winter Palace. She was sworn in by the Senate and the Synod. The next day, Peter III signed the abdication. A few days later he died (apparently, he was killed by Alexei Orlov and the guards). It was announced in the capital that the emperor had died of hemorrhoidal colic. He was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra without royal honors.

Great Definition

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She stopped all the reforms that penetrated into public life. The officials at the very top seemed unprepared for the death of the monarch. One of the most interesting periods in the history of Russia begins - Palace coups.

The era of palace coups, briefly, is the period of the change of emperors on the Russian throne with the active participation of the guards and court groups.

With death forced many persons close to the state to seek a place under the sun. Everyone began to fight for power. It soon became clear that society was divided in two. On the one hand, those who were frightened by the environment, who were disgusted with him. And on the other hand, those people who grew up on his transformations are the so-called "Chicks of Petrov's Nest".

The most heated debate flared up around the future monarch. It is quite clear that he was alone in the male line - the son of Alexei Petrovich. And for women, the wife had the most rights.

The era of palace coups in the reign of Catherine I

It seems that everything is clear - choose any candidate from the two, but ... Misunderstandings arose because of the decree on succession to the throne. This document completely canceled all the orders of succession to the throne that were before. Only the monarch himself could appoint an heir.

The activities of a close friend and like-minded person A.D. Menshikov has borne fruit. He was able to attract a large number of people to the side of the candidacy. In addition, he was supported by the guard, which even then played a huge role. That is, it was the guards who decided in favor of the palace coup. It will not only be so this time. The first revolution of the era was accomplished.

In short, during the reign of the new empress, Menshikov ruled everything. Catherine just had fun and enjoyed the company. Her face grew dim, she was constantly at balls, having fun, apparently she never survived the loss of her beloved husband. This went on until 1727. She had been ill for three months. And the interested persons of the court again baked only about their future position in the state.

The era of palace coups - the reign of Peter II briefly

After her death, a second palace coup took place - he ascended the throne, he was only eleven. Naturally, there is no question of sound government in a situation where the monarch is very young. And his nanny-regents are only interested in how to fill their pockets.

Menshikov had already thought of everything. His plan was to marry the emperor to his daughter Maria, even though she was older than him. But he miscalculated. I did not see how close the Dolgoruky were under the sovereign.Over time, they began to have a great influence over. Menshikov fell out of favor and was exiled to Ryazan.

All favorites from Dolgoruky received tidbits at court. And new feasts, sprees and outrages began. Ivan Dolgoruky, being older, very early accustomed him to truly masculine amusements, which caused the teenager to turn out to be very immoral by the age of 13.

A new idea arose - to marry Ivan's sister Ekaterina Dolgoruky. Thus Dolgoruky wanted to be closer to the imperial family. And also in the event of a new coup, still retain power. The betrothal of the young emperor took place. But there was no planned wedding. Everything coincided extremely tragically - after a cold, he fell ill with smallpox and died two weeks later. This was the result of this short period of the era of palace coups ...

Palace noble coup

A new page of this adventure act has begun - it has become the next in line in the period of palace coups. The daughter of a slightly forgotten brother Ivan V. She lived very quietly and poorly in Courland, by 1730 she had already lost her husband and was trying to survive.

In 1730 it was hot in St. Petersburg. Fuss and fuss began again, officials tried to stay in the state game again. They liked the candidacy - stupid by nature, without education. At the age of 17, she left Russia due to diplomatic plans. She was given in marriage to the Duke of Courland. And a couple of years had not passed since her husband died, she lived in Courland from the age of 19.

Her candidature for the Russian throne was perfect. But she was not just invited to the throne, the leaders insured themselves - “conditions” were drawn up - a special document limiting the political rights of the monarch. But it was also not as simple as it seemed.

After the coup, she arrived in Moscow. As soon as a grain of doubt appeared in this document among the guards, they immediately tore them apart. Anna needed to be strengthened on the throne. Therefore, she canceled a number of decrees that were not pleasing to the nobility. Dolgoruky, like Menshikov in his time, turned out to be out of place, they took away all their wealth and drove them away.

The reign has begun. Palace life was remembered only by large-scale parties and balls. All the time holidays and masquerades. Moreover, their duration was not regulated, sometimes this bacchanalia lasted ten days or more. This led to an increase in the cost of maintaining the yard several times over. The most famous event was the wedding of the mad jester Golitsyn in the Ice House. But there were other events in her reign. The term "Bironism" often pops up here.

Ernst Biron was her favorite, she brought him from Courland. He was always in the center of attention, and the Empress was absorbed by him. This man in plunder and lawlessness even outdid Menshikov and Dolgoruky. A lot of foreigners appeared at the court, besides, they did not respect the Russian nobility and were engaged in outright arbitrariness. This caused discontent among the Russian aristocracy.

By 1740, the empress fell ill. But the question of the successor had already been decided. They became the son of the niece of the Empress Anna Leopoldovna - Ivan VI Antonovich. When Ivan died, he was only six months old. Biron became regent for the young emperor. But he was only three weeks old, then, as a result of the coup, Ivan's mother, Anna Leopoldovna, received the regency.

Palace guards coup briefly

But Anna Leopoldovna did not stay with the government for long either. appeared on the horizon. From a young age she was friendly with the guards. In November, the guards called for a new palace coup, and they decided. In short, this palace coup envisaged the storming of the Winter Palace. But this was not required. All went over to the side of Elizabeth voluntarily.

As for Ivan, until the age of sixteen he grew up far outside the city under supervision. And then he was transferred to the Shlisselburg fortress. He grew up there in terrible conditions, it affected the psyche of a young man.

But once on the throne, she immediately launched a violent activity, some bodies were abolished, and new ones were created. She, like her predecessor, loved holidays, flattery, dressing beautifully. She wore all her dresses only once, the second time not a single garment was worn.

At the beginning of her reign, she tried to actively delve into the affairs of the palace and the affairs of the state. In November 1742 she appointed her nephew as heir. But over time, the empress was less and less interested in what was happening in the country. But she took care of the heir to Peter very much.