In the history of our country there are enough odious personalities, the attitude towards which to this day remains ambiguous. These include Grigory Potemkin. When the name of this person is mentioned, the first association that arises in the average Russian is “Potemkin villages”. It is customary to think that this is a synonym for the grandiose historical farce and window dressing with which Gregory "splurges" the Empress Catherine and her foreign guests. But few people know that this, to put it mildly, is not entirely true.
This is evidenced at least by the fact that foreigners, who in those days had a low opinion of our country, admitted that Grigory Potemkin did more for the arrangement of Novorossia and Crimea than anyone else. Moreover, there was no sarcasm in their words: they were really amazed at the scale of the work and the efforts made by the favorite of the empress. Despite his craving for luxury and other elements of the "beautiful life", this man knew how to work and did it with brilliance!
Historicalcontradictions
History is a "lady" capricious and unfair. Just think about it: the same Pyrrhus, a talented and intelligent commander, remained in the memory of his descendants only as a negligent commander who “filled up the enemy with meat.” And at the same time, no one remembers that Pyrrhus himself had a low opinion of the victory he had won. So is Grigory Potemkin. Despite all his deeds for the glory of Russia, he is remembered only in obscene anecdotes.
I immediately recall his love affair with Catherine, craving for luxury and all the same ill-fated villages … In fact, Grigory was one of the most talented organizers of that time with an undoubted gift and abilities in the field of public administration. Simply put, he was a truly great man. Difficult, with its own quirks, but all its shortcomings were a logical continuation of its undoubted merits. So is it really, as the languages of some historians echo, that the monument to Grigory Potemkin was erected undeservedly? Of course not. The prince really deserved all his honors and regalia. To be convinced of this, you just need to know the main milestones of his biography.
How it all began
He was born in the Smolensk province. Place of birth - a small village Chizhovo. It happened on September 13 (24), 1739. The father was Alexander Vasilyevich Potemkin, a retired major. His character was, as it is now customary to say, "not sugar." That’s what he didn’t spare for his son, so it was beatings, which were a natural consequence of a violent temper and craving for booze. ToFortunately for Gregory, all this lasted only until the age of seven, and then his father died.
The mother, Darya Vasilievna, did her best to protect her son from the bad influence of his father and constantly stood up for him, which was why she was repeatedly beaten. And therefore, after the death of Alexander Vasilyevich, the whole family breathed a sigh of relief. The Potemkins moved to Moscow, and this was largely due to the desire to give a better education to Grigory. Again, due to the nature of the boy, this wish did not quite come true. However, let's talk about everything in order.
Student
From a very young age, Grigory Potemkin was distinguished by a very peculiar character: he literally caught fire with an idea that interested him and could work on it almost around the clock, but just as quickly he cooled off. However, he completed most of his undertakings. In particular, he made every effort for successful study. It was not in vain - already in 1755 he became a student at Moscow University, and just a year later, young Grigory received a gold medal "For academic excellence."
In those days, this was indeed an outstanding recognition of merit. Everything indicated that a new name could soon be added to the list of luminaries of Russian science. If everything were really so, then, without a doubt, Potemkin would certainly be able to become an outstanding scientist. Who knows, we may have lost another Lomonosov…
A year later, he was introduced to Elizabeth as part of a group of 12 best students. But everything went wrong … Just three years after that, he was expelled for "laziness and not attending lectures." But in vain. After allhe had all the makings to become a luminary of science. It was just that at that time there was not a single authoritative mentor nearby who could point out the fallacy of his actions. At the same time, Grigory showed himself to be an exemplary son: mindful of the suffering of his mother, who was acutely worried about his expulsion, he subsequently knocked out for her the high rank of lady of state. However, this was out of the question at the time. The army of the Russian State was waiting for the young "talentless".
Ambition and pleasant surprises
All contemporaries said that one of Potemkin's main shortcomings was pride, sometimes turning into open vanity and arrogance. However, this was not always bad: calmly accepting his expulsion, he immediately decided to embark on a military path. At that time, a kind of analogue of the military department already existed, and therefore yesterday's student was formally enlisted in the troops and was serving in active military service. It was a good incentive for further career!
So, in 1761 he already had the rank of sergeant major, while not serving a single day. At the same time, the former student arrives in St. Petersburg and is at the location of the regiment. His appearance was so impressive that he was immediately made orderly to Field Marshal Georg Ludwig (Duke of Schleswig-Holstein).
Conspirator
Despite the warm welcome in the army, Grigory did not have any tender feelings for her tyrant commander, Peter III, who by that time had already managed to give the lands, abundantly watered with the blood of Russian soldiers, to his idol Frederick. Andit backfired on him in full: the army of the Russian State simply could not forgive such a betrayal. It is not surprising that Potemkin easily joins the ranks of the conspirators. The day of the coup, June 28, 1762, became a turning point in the fate of not only Russia, but also the Wahmister himself. Catherine II immediately liked the stately handsome man.
Unlike his "colleagues" in the conspiracy, who were promoted only to cornets, the future statesman is immediately appointed to second lieutenant. In general, this is the same as if today a senior sergeant became a major in a day. It is this circumstance that historians blame, it is for this reason that he acquires many enemies in a day. However, the future count himself does not see anything wrong in this, since his vanity is amused by the realization of his exclusivity.
Desperation and courage
However, at that time, Potemkin could not dream of greater favor from the Empress. The fact is that Count Orlov was her favorite, and he simply could not compete with him. Despite the regalia and awards brought by the service, Gregory gradually began to cool off towards his occupation. At that time, an amazing incident almost happened: Potemkin Grigory Alexandrovich almost became a monk! He had long theological conversations with the ministers of the church, impressing them with his knowledge, and seriously preparing for the tonsure. But then another Russian-Turkish war began.
Illiterate, but immensely brave
In 1769, a young major general (in nine years!!!) volunteered for this war. His active nature simply could not pass by such an opportunity.manifest. Oddly enough, Potemkin's loyal fans and haters said the same thing: "As a general, he is an empty place, but at the same time he is immensely brave and never loses courage in battle."
He climbed into places where there was definitely nothing to do, and killed people at the same time, but he fought with them shoulder to shoulder and never hid behind the backs of soldiers. Potemkin participated in almost all land battles.
Of course, there is an opinion that Potemkin Grigory Alexandrovich (perhaps) was not such a hero, and his glory is the result of laudatory reports addressed to Catherine. Although this is unlikely: even the worst enemies spoke of his courage. Of course, this does not justify unnecessary and often stupid losses.
Favorite
In 1774 Potemkin arrives at court on the wings of glory. Orlov at this time is already in disgrace, and therefore a new favorite of Catherine quickly appears at the court. Grigory quickly receives the title of count and the rank of general-in-chief.
Historians are still arguing about how far the relationship between Potemkin and Catherine went. There is a version that even their daughter Elizabeth was born from their connection.
Allegedly, the girl was transferred to the upbringing of the next of kin of the newly-made count. Her surname was Tyomkina, since the tradition of those years said that illegitimate children should be given the father's surname, subtracting the first syllable from the latter. But were Grigory Potemkin and Ekaterina her parents?
Was there a boy?.
The Tretyakov Gallery has a portrait of this woman, so there is no dispute about her existence. Her father could well have been Gregory, but was Catherine her mother? The fact is that by the time of the birth of Elizabeth she was already 45 years old, which even for the present time is somewhat unsuitable for childbearing, and even in those days it was something unthinkable. Whatever it was, but in those years, the relationship between Potemkin and Catherine was the most trusting.
Here I would like to make one digression. The Empress had many favorites and close associates throughout her life. But all of them, having lost the mercy of the ruler, immediately went into the shadows and no longer reminded of themselves. Potemkin, even being removed from the court, still played a crucial role in government, and therefore it is unfair to judge him only from the point of view of a talented courtier.
Construction of Novorossiya
In 1776, the protege of the empress receives a task of national importance: to take care of the arrangement of Novorossia, Azov, and other lands in those parts. Almost everyone agrees that Prince Grigory Potemkin of Tauride achieved incredible success in this field. Historians believe that he did more for the south of our country than Peter I did for the northern territories (it is debatable, since Peter had to work in very difficult conditions). He founded many towns and villages where, just yesterday, troops of nomads swept past, and there was nothing but thickets of steppe grass.
At the same time, he constantly thought about the greatness of his country, hatching plans for the complete suppression of Turkey and the restoration of the old Byzantium under the rule of one of the descendantsCatherine II. This plan was not implemented, but the idea with the annexation of the Crimea was implemented in full. There he continued his work of fortifying the borders of Russia, founding cities and fortresses. In particular, it was he who founded the city of Kherson, Odessa and others.
Vanity and luxury
It would not be superfluous to say that the prince's craving for luxury was indeed a byword. In particular, his hat was so heavy from orders and decorations that an orderly had to carry it in his arms. Even at a time when Catherine herself and her guests preferred to appear in public in simple hunting camisoles, Potemkin remained true to himself, dazzling everyone present with the brilliance of gold and diamonds. The same character trait was clearly manifested in Potemkin's architectural plans: the same city of Kherson was originally conceived on such a scale that even modern Moscow could envy him in some ways. In practice, it was not possible to realize even a tenth of what was planned.
"Dust in the eye" or reality?
In 1787, Catherine decided to honor the Crimea with her attention. Potemkin, who by that time had already received such a rank as Field Marshal General, could not miss such an outstanding opportunity to remind himself again. So the "Potemkin villages", although far from the form that we are told today, really existed. We repeat once again - they were quite real, the peasants really constantly lived in these settlements, but Gregory clearly could not do without the appropriate surroundings and excessive luxury. That's why there was talk about farce and "unreality"seen by Catherine and her foreign guests.
Few people know, but by the time the Empress visited the Crimea, he created a special "company of Amazons", which was recruited exclusively from girls of noble blood. Naturally, after the departure of Catherine, it was disbanded, since Potemkin was well aware of the absolute uselessness of such a military formation in a real war. Nevertheless, he received the title "Field Marshal General" not only because of the empress's sympathy. At that time, everyone recognized that the amount of work performed by the favorite of the Empress was really amazing, and therefore they easily forgave him for his indefatigable craving for luxury and brilliance.
Positive and negative
A dozen and a half large and twenty small ships staged a grandiose salute, which became the apotheosis of Catherine's visit to the peninsula. This fleet, which appeared off the coast of Crimea literally out of thin air, was especially shocking to the foreigners who accompanied the Empress.
Many contemporaries and historians believe that the quality of the construction of these ships was "awful". Yes, this is true, but during the next war with Turkey, these ships played an important role, despite all their shortcomings. It was after this that Potemkin Grigory Alexandrovich, whose biography is considered within the framework of this article, officially received the title "Tauride", denoting his special success in the development of new lands.
Another negative feature of his character was his inability to get along with other significant people in Russia. It is known that Potemkin could not stand Suvorov,and the honored commander answered him in the same way, since he frankly hated arrogance and vanity. In addition, he could not help but know that Grigory Potemkin often ascribes to himself his merits in the military field.
Although Suvorov had reasons to respect his ill-wisher: it was thanks to Potemkin that the Russian army finally got rid of the ridiculous Prussian heritage in the form of wigs, curls and braids, which made everyday clothing much more convenient and practical. This greatly facilitated the hard work of soldiers. Finally, under him, the cavalry of Russia underwent its heyday, since he did a lot for the development of this kind of troops. This work bore fruit in 1812, when it was the cavalrymen who became the main striking force against the invading troops of Napoleon.
Also, the great commander admitted that Potemkin is an excellent organizer of the rear. Under him, the army never knew problems with the timely delivery of provisions, weapons and everything necessary. So Prince Grigory Potemkin really enjoyed the respect of even his enemies (whom he turned on solely because of vanity and some arrogance).
Opal and removal
A courtier's career is a fragile thing. Our hero also found out about this when the young Platon Zurabov was approaching the court. This man was not only younger than Potemkin, but also proved to be no less talented organizer. The old favorite's days were numbered. Zurabov did not want to put up with the constant presence of an old competitor, and therefore insisted on his removal. In 1791 he was forced to leave Petersburg.
Lastluxury
Already in January, he arrives there again, having returned from another Turkish war. For four months in a row, incredibly luxurious feasts were given one after another in the Taurida Palace, at which Potemkin squandered 850 thousand rubles. At the time, this was a huge sum. All this pursued only one goal - to return the favor of Catherine, but she did not back down from her decision. It is noteworthy that even Zurabov understood the undesirability of removing Potemkin from public affairs, so the aging prince was simply hinted that his continued presence in St. Petersburg was undesirable.
He is actively involved in peace negotiations with the Turks. But all this was just a screen: this time vanity did Gregory a disservice, he simply could not survive his parting with Catherine. On a nervous basis, he became seriously ill, but still tried to participate in public affairs. Russia, for which the 18th century was a time of prosperity and renaissance, will soon lose one of its most odious and controversial sons.
Last day
On October 5, 1791, the prince became ill right in the carriage, which followed from Iasi to Nikolaev. His last words are known. He ordered the carriage to be stopped and said: “That's it, there is nowhere to go, I'm dying! Take me out of the carriage: I want to die on the field!” The accompanying retinue carefully carried their master to the autumn field. A few minutes later the prince was gone. He was buried in the Kherson fortress, in the Cathedral of St. Catherine (which was built under hisguidance).
So died Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin (1739-1791). This ambiguous person left a deep mark in the history of our country, and therefore one should never forget about his role. Surely without him, everything would be different.
