XVIII century in Russian history is a period of palace coups. Due to the death of Peter the Great, a troubled time began, when everyone fought for power. Palace coups have become a symbol of the times of Elizabeth, Catherine the Great and other rulers of this time.
What caused these events? The following phenomena became them:
- decree of Peter the Great on a new method of succession to the throne;
- strengthening stratification of society;
- struggle for power between court groups;
- absence of the name of his heir in Peter's will;
- strengthening the role of the guard;
- a significant proportion of foreign nationals.
It is worth noting that all the palace coups of the 18th century took place with the help of the guards. For almost 80 years, Russia never got tired of hearing the name of a new, sometimes completely unexpected ruler. During this time, more than one dynasty has been on the throne. How did the chronology of these events develop?
The first palace coup took place in 1725. Then the wife of Peter I ascended the throne, who after baptism bore the name Catherine I. Her reign was short, and call it a reignimpossible: all affairs were managed by a close associate of Peter A. Menshikov.
The second palace coup took place after the death of the Empress. In 1727, Peter II began to reign, whose power became possible due to the illness of A. Menshikov, and soon his exile. The death at a young age of Peter II led to the third palace coup in 1730. The niece of Peter I Anna Ioannovna came to power. Torn conditions and "Bironism" became symbols of her time - these are the conditions on the basis of which she began to reign.
Palace coups were already commonplace by that time, but Anna's relatively long reign of 10 years surprised the people of the state.
In 1740, Anna Leopoldovna and Ivan VI came to power. This dynasty settled on the Russian throne for less than a year. The so-called Brunswick dynasty led to serious changes, after which Elizaveta Petrovna came to power for a decent period. Palace coups are a change of rulers, conspiracies, murders and the absence of any compassion for the ruler. In 1741, the twenty-year reign of the daughter of Peter the Great, Elizabeth Petrovna, begins. She enjoyed prestige in the army and among court groups. Elizabeth reduces her reign to the continuation of her father's traditions. This is the heyday of the Russian state. Elizabeth is carrying out a series of reforms that will stabilize the general situation in the country.
After the death of Elizabeth, the legitimate heir Peter III is expected to take the throne. His reign was passing.
In 1762, another palace coup was carried out, as a result of which the time of Catherine the Great was established. Palace coups have ceased to exist, but many attribute the rise of Alexander I to the same chain of events. But this is another era and another time, with its own reasons and preconditions.
Palace coups have become an adornment of Russian history, with all their cruelty. Despite all the negative sides, we got a graceful St. Petersburg with its majestic buildings and streets. We received the Academy of Arts, Moscow University, as well as the works of the great M. Lomonosov. That is why palace coups are a symbol of Imperial Russia.
