Palace coups, which cannot be briefly described, are a whole era in the long history of our country. Conspiracies, poisonings, murders - all this accompanied the Russian Empire for almost a whole century. What caused such a period? Let's figure it out now.
Palace coups: briefly about the reasons
There is a point of view that the main reason for such an era was the order of the Great Peter I on the succession to the throne. Its essence was that each ruling monarch could appoint his next successor, bypassing the traditional inheritance of the Russian throne. In principle, the decree was not so bad, if not for one “but”: the emperor himself did not announce the name of the heir. From that moment on, palace coups in Russia began. Another reason was the political instability of society. At that time, the bureaucratic-military apparatus played a special role in the administration of the whole country. And of course, a significant class stratification of the population had a great influence. It is also worth noting another key feature: all coups took place with the support of the guard. In other words, whoever had military power on their side won.
Palace coups: briefly aboutrotating monarchs
So, his wife Ekaterina became a kind of successor to the throne of the Great Peter the Great. She was not particularly concerned with state affairs, as she entrusted this mission to the created Supreme Privy Council. She ruled for a short time - only two years. After her, the grandson of the first emperor, Peter II, takes the throne. For influence on him there was a fierce struggle between the nobility: the adherents of Peter and the princes Dolgoruky. But his reign was short: at the age of 14, the young monarch dies. The next empress, Anna Ioannovna, stayed on the throne for 10 years. The period of her reign went down in history under the name Bironovshchina. It was the time of the German nobility, which, in the person of the favorites of the Empress, ruled Russia. Anna defiantly breaks traditions and abolishes the authority created by Catherine the Great. After her, by will, power in the country passes into the hands of the Brunswick dynasty for less than a year. Anna Leopoldovna was far from political intrigues and the needs of the state, and therefore was unable to keep such a large territory under control.
Now it's time for prosperity and political stability, because Elizabeth Petrovna, who is the daughter of Peter the Great, ascends the throne. Over the 20 years of her reign, she brings Russia to the world level and does everything to ensure that everything inside the empire happens as it was planned by Peter I. And she succeeds. After the death of Elizabeth, the throne is received by her nephew Peter III, who is overthrown by his wife. The palace coup of 1762 entered foreverin history, since as a result of it, Catherine the Great became the ruler of the country. This time will be the heyday of the Russian state.
Palace coups, briefly described above, are an important part in the history of the development of our country. For several years, the throne has seen various monarchs who are able and unable to manage such a vast country. The era ended beautifully: the wise woman on the throne showed how to lead.
