The most important and interesting stage in the history of Russia was the period from 1725 to 1762. During this time, six monarchs have changed, each of which was backed by certain political forces. IN. Klyuchevsky very aptly called it that - the era of palace coups. The table presented in the article will help to better understand the course of events. The change of power, as a rule, took place through intrigues, betrayals, and murders.
It all started with the unexpected death of Peter I. He left behind the "Charter of Succession" (1722), according to which a large number of people could claim power.
The end of this troubled era is considered the coming to power of Catherine II. Her reign is considered by many historians to be the era of enlightened absolutism.
Prerequisites for palace coups
The main reason for all the previous events were the contradictions between the many noble groups regarding the succession to the throne. They were united only in the fact that a temporary stop should be made in the implementation of reforms. Each of them saw such a respite in his own way. Also, all groups of nobles equally zealously rushed to power. Therefore, the era of palace coups, the table of which is given below, was limited only to the change of the top.
The decision of Peter I regarding the succession to the throne has already been mentioned. He broke the traditional mechanism by which power was transferred from the monarch to the senior male representative.
Peter I did not want to see his son after him on the throne because he was an opponent of reforms. Therefore, he decided that the monarch himself would be able to name the applicant. However, he died, leaving on paper the phrase "Give it all…".
The masses were alienated from politics, the nobles could not share the throne - the state was overwhelmed by the struggle for power. Thus began the era of palace coups. The scheme, the table will allow you to better trace the blood ties of all contenders for the throne.
Coup of 1725 (Ekaterina Alekseevna)
At this time, two opposing groups formed. The first consisted of A. Osterman and A. Menshikov. They sought to transfer power to the widow of Peter I, Ekaterina Alekseevna.
The second group, which included the Duke of Holstein, wanted to enthrone Peter II (son of Alexei and grandson of Peter I).
A. Menshikov had a clear predominance, who managed to achieve the support of the guards and put Catherine I on the throne. However, she did not have the ability to govern the state, so in 1726 the Great Privy Council was created. He became the highest government body.
The actual ruler was A. Menshikov. He subjugatedCouncil and enjoyed the unlimited confidence of the Empress. He was also one of the leading figures when the rulers of the era of palace coups changed (the table explains everything).
The accession of Peter II in 1727
The reign of Ekaterina Alekseevna lasted a little over two years. After her death, the question of succession again hung over the state.
This time the "Holstein group" was headed by Anna Petrovna. She initiated a conspiracy against A. Menshikov and A. Osterman, which ended unsuccessfully. The young Peter was recognized as sovereign. A. Osterman became his mentor and educator. However, he failed to exert the necessary influence on the monarch, although he was still enough to prepare and carry out the overthrow of A. Menshikov in 1727.
Anna Ioannovna's reign since 1730
Peter II stayed on the throne for three years and died suddenly. And again the main question becomes the following: "Who will take the throne?". Thus continued the era of palace coups. A table of events is shown below.
Dolgorukiy appear on the arena of events, who are attempting the accession of Catherine Dolgoruky. She was the bride of Peter II.
The attempt failed, and the Golitsyns nominated their candidate. She became Anna Ioannovna. She was crowned only after the signing of the Conditions with the Supreme Privy Council, which has not yet lost its influence.
Conditions limited the power of the monarch. Soonthe empress tears up the documents she signed and returns the autocracy. She decides the issue of succession to the throne in advance. Unable to have children of her own, she declared her niece's child to be the future heir. He will be known as Peter III.
However, by 1740, Elizaveta Petrovna and a representative of the Welf family had a son, John, who became the monarch immediately after the death of Anna Ioannovna in two months. Biron is recognized as its regent.
1740 and Minich's coup
The Regent's reign lasted two weeks. The coup was organized by Field Marshal Munnich. He was supported by the guard, who arrested Biron and appointed the baby's mother as regent.
The woman was not able to govern the state, and Minich took everything into his own hands. He was subsequently replaced by A. Osterman. He also dismissed the field marshal. The era of palace coups (table below) united these rulers.
The accession of Elizabeth Petrovna since 1741
On November 25, 1741, another coup took place. It passed quickly and bloodlessly, the power was in the hands of Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter I. She raised the guard behind her with a short speech and proclaimed herself empress. Count Vorontsov helped her in this.
The young ex-emperor and his mother were imprisoned in a fortress. Munnich, Osterman, Levenvolde were sentenced to death, but it was replaced with exile in Siberia.
Elizaveta Petrovna rules for over 20 years.
The coming to power of Peter III
ElizabethPetrovna saw a relative of her father as the successor. So she brought her nephew from Holstein. He was given the name Peter III, he converted to Orthodoxy. The Empress was not happy with the character of the future heir. In an effort to remedy the situation, she assigned teachers to him, but this did not help.
To continue the family, Elizaveta Petrovna married him to the German princess Sophia, who would become Catherine the Great. They had two children - son Pavel and daughter Anna.
Before she dies, Elizabeth will be advised to appoint Paul as her heir. However, she did not dare to do so. After her death, the throne passed to her nephew. His policy was very unpopular both among the people and among the nobles. At the same time, after the death of Elizabeth Petrovna, he was in no hurry to be crowned. This was the reason for the coup on the part of his wife Catherine, over whom the threat of divorce had long hung over (this was often stated by the emperor). It officially ended the era of the palace coup (the table contains additional information about the empress's childhood nickname).
June 28, 1762. The reign of Catherine II
Becoming the wife of Pyotr Fedorovich, Ekaterina began to study the Russian language and traditions. She quickly absorbed new information. This helped her distract herself after two unsuccessful pregnancies and the fact that her long-awaited son Pavel was taken away from her immediately after birth. She saw him only after 40 days. Elizabeth was involved in his upbringing. She dreamed of becoming an empress. She had such an opportunity, because PeterFedorovich did not pass the coronation. Elizabeth took advantage of the support of the guards and overthrew her husband. Most likely, he was killed, although the official version was called death from colic.
Her reign lasted 34 years. She refused to become regent for her son and gave him the throne only after her death. Her reign is attributed to the era of enlightened absolutism. More briefly, the table "Palace coups" presented everything.
Summary information
The coming to power of Catherine ends the era of the palace coup. The table does not consider emperors who reign after it, although Paul also left the throne due to a conspiracy.
In order to better understand everything that is happening, you should consider the events and the people associated with them through general information on the topic "The era of palace coups" (briefly).
| Table "Palace coups" | ||
| Ruler | Reign | Support |
| Catherine I, nee Marta Skavronskaya, wife of Peter I | 1725-1727, death associated with consumption or an attack of rheumatism | Guards regiments, A. Menshikov, P. Tolstoy, Supreme Privy Council |
| Peter II Alekseevich, grandson of Peter the Great, died of smallpox | 1727-1730 | Guards regiments, Dolgoruky family, Supreme Privy Council |
| Anna Ioannovna, niece of Peter the Great, died of her owndeath | 1730-1740 | Guards regiments, Secret Chancellery, Biron, A. Osterman, Minich |
| Ioann Antonovich (great-nephew of Peter the Great), his mother and regent Anna Leopoldovna | 1740-1741 | German nobility |
| Elizaveta Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great, died of old age | 1741-1761 | Guards regiments |
| Peter III Fedorovich, grandson of Peter the Great, died under unclear circumstances | 1761-1762 | Had no support |
| Ekaterina Alekseevna, wife of Pyotr Fedorovich, nee Sofia Augusta, or simply Fouquet, died of old age | 1762-1796 | Guard regiments and Russian nobles |
The table of palace coups clearly describes the main events of that time.
Results of the era of palace coups
Palace coups were reduced only to the struggle for power. They did not bring changes in the political and social sphere. The nobles divided the right to power among themselves, as a result of which six rulers were replaced in 37 years.
Socio-economic stabilization was associated with Elizabeth I and Catherine II. They were also able to achieve certain successes in the foreign policy of the state.
