The Petrine era gave Russia many bright and original names. Alexander Menshikov, a devoted supporter and comrade of the first emperor, cannot be excluded from this series. After the death of Peter, he claimed the leading role in the state, but…
Menshikov's Roots
The origin of the future "semi-power ruler" still causes heated discussions among historians. AD Menshikov was born in 1673 in Moscow. He was not from some powerful aristocratic family. The textbook story about the boy Alexander, who sold pies on the streets of the capital, is widely known. Many biographers of Menshikov retell the following story. A small bakery seller caught the eye of Franz Lefort, an influential state nobleman. The general liked the quick-witted boy, and he took him into his service.
However, the folk legend of the "pie seller" is often disputed. It is interesting that the famous writer Alexander Pushkin also adhered to it, who noted this episode in his notes while preparing a book about the history of the reign of Peter.
Nevertheless, the low origin of the future prince is also evidenced by the fact that he was illiterate. None of the workersdocuments were not drawn up by his hand. To conduct business, A. D. Menshikov had secretaries who were always with him.
Meet Peter
However, ignorance of the letter did not prevent the young man from becoming close to the king. Alexander and Peter met through Lefort. Already at the age of 14, Menshikov became Romanov's batman, and soon his best friend. He was next to Peter in those days when he had no real power, but only studied and had fun with his amusing regiments. Tsarevich became a company captain, and A. D. Menshikov became a scorer.
The carefree days of youth are gone when a group of boyars overthrew Sofya Alekseevna and declared Peter the sovereign-emperor. Nominally, brother Ivan was on the throne with him. But because of his fragile he alth, this Romanov did not take part in state affairs, and the influence that Prince Menshikov had at court was incomparably greater.
Favorite of the young king
The young nobleman was an active participant and organizer of Peter's plans. One of the first such enterprises was the Azov campaigns. In 1695, Peter sent armies to the southern borders of the state in order to gain access to the warm seas. Here A. D. Menshikov received his first serious military experience, which greatly helped him in the future. The following year, Peter started the Great Embassy to the countries of Europe. He took with him his most faithful comrades and numerous young people who were supposed to learn Western crafts.
It was at this time that Menshikov became an indispensable companion of the tsar. He passionately performedall his orders and always achieved the best result. In this he was helped by zeal and vigor, which the official retained until his old age. In addition, Alexander was perhaps the only person who knew how to calm the king. Peter had a violent temper. He did not tolerate the mistakes and failures of his subordinates, he became furious because of them. Menshikov knew how to find a common language with him even in such difficult moments. In addition, the close associate always appreciated the king's benevolent attitude and never betrayed him.
Participation in the Northern War
In 1700, the main war in the life of Peter the Great and Menshikov began - the North. The Russian emperor wanted to return the B altic coast to the country. This desire has become a fixed idea. In the next twenty years, the tsar (and, therefore, his entourage) spent on endless patrols to the front line and to the rear.
The military leader under Peter 1 met the campaign with the rank of Lieutenant of the Preobrazhensky Regiment. The first success accompanied him in 1702, when he, with fresh detachments, arrived in time to help Mikhail Golitsyn, who was standing under the walls of Noteburg.
Important victories
Also Menshikov Alexander Danilovich took part in the siege of the important fortress Nyenschantz. He was one of the creators of Russia's first naval victory in that war. In May 1703, ships under the direct leadership of Peter and Menshikov defeated the Swedish fleet at the mouth of the Neva. The king's friend distinguished himself by his courage and speed of action. Thanks to his dash for boarding, two important enemy ships were taken. Success didn't gounnoticed. After the battle, especially distinguished officers received the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Among them was Menshikov. The war once again confirmed his leadership abilities.
Notable and other facts related to this award. Firstly, Menshikov Alexander Danilovich turned out to be a holder of a new order with serial number 7, while Peter received order No. 6. Secondly, the awarding took place a week before the laying of the future capital - St. Petersburg. The decree on awarding Menshikov already at this time names him the governor-general of the new province.
Governor-General of St. Petersburg
From that moment and for many years, until his disgrace, Peter's close associate led the construction of a new city. He was also in charge of Kronstadt and several shipyards on the Neva and Svir.
The regiment led by Alexander Danilovich was named Ingermanlandsky and was equated with other elite units - the Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments.
Menshikov receives the title of prince
In 1704, the siege of Narva and Ivangorod ended. Menshikov also took part in it. The biography of the military man contains information about the participation of the hero of our story in many campaigns and battles. In each battle, he was in the forefront, diligently following the orders of the king. His devotion was not in vain. In 1707 he received the title of prince of the Izhora land. Now he was addressed only as "Your Grace".
Prince Menshikov justified such royal mercy. Again and again he took on assignments with inextinguishable energy.sovereign. In 1707, the Northern War changed the theater of operations. Now the confrontation with the Swedish king has moved to Poland and Ukraine. Menshikov took part in an important battle near Lesnaya, which was a rehearsal for a general battle with the enemy.
When it became known about the betrayal of Hetman Mazepa, the prince immediately went to his capital - the city of Baturin. The fortress was taken and destroyed. For an important victory, Peter awarded his comrade with another estate. The amount of land at the disposal of Menshikov was truly amazing.
This only once again confirmed how dear the adviser was to the king. Peter rarely did without Menshikov's advice in military matters. Often the emperor expressed an idea, after which the prince worked it out and made suggestions for improving it. In fact, he played the role of chief of military staff, although there was no such position formally.
Battle of Poltava
One of the main successes of Menshikov, historians call his personal contribution to the victory at Poltava. On the eve of the battle, his detachment was placed in the vanguard of the troops. Menshikov's blow was the first and meant the immediate beginning of the battle. During the battle, the prince moved to the left flank, where he acted just as energetically and effectively. Three horses were killed underneath him…
Also Menshikov, along with Golitsyn. led the pursuit of the defeated Swedish army. He overtook the fugitives and forced them to capitulate. Thanks to this successful operation, about 15 thousand Swedish soldiers were captured, including famous officers and generals.(Levenhaupt, Kreutz, etc.). A large feast was given in honor of the noble prisoners. Peter I, who was sitting at the table, personally announced toasts in honor of the defeated opponents.
For his active actions in the Battle of Poltava, Menshikov received the rank of Field Marshal. He was also given further land allotments. The prince became the owner of more than 40 thousand serfs, which made him the second most powerful person in the country. When Peter solemnly entered Moscow to celebrate his triumph, Menshikov rode on the right hand of the tsar. This was another recognition of his services to the state.
The prince was connected with Moscow by another important matter for himself. In 1704 he ordered the construction of the temple, which was completed three years later. The Menshikov Tower in Moscow (as this building was called) is now the oldest building in the capital in the Petrine Baroque style.
Prince's estates
Thanks to his huge fortune, the prince, during the heyday of his career, rebuilt many residences throughout the country. The most famous is the Menshikov Palace on Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg. At first it was used as a personal estate. However, after the "semi-power ruler" was sent into exile, the building was rebuilt for the needs of the military corps.
In Oranienbaum, another Menshikov Palace is the largest building of the local architectural ensemble. It consists of several gardens, houses as well as canals. All this diversity makes up a large and bright composition, which annually attractsthousands of tourists.
The palace in Kronstadt was designed by the German architect Braunstein. Today this building is one of the oldest in the city. It was rebuilt several times, due to which the original appearance of the palace, unfortunately, was lost.
Another important estate of the prince was the Ranenburg fortress in the modern Lipetsk region. It was laid personally by Peter, who at the beginning of his reign tried to build numerous fortifications in the central provinces according to the European (Dutch) model. In 1702, the emperor gave this place to Menshikov, who built a monastery here.
Continuation of the Northern War
After the Battle of Poltava, the strategic initiative in the war passed to Russia. Menshikov over the next four years led troops in the B altic provinces: Pomerania, Courland and Holstein. Peter's European allies (Denmark and Prussia) honored him with their national awards (the Order of the Elephant and the Order of the Black Eagle, respectively).
In 1714, the governor-general finally returned to St. Petersburg, where he took up the organization of internal affairs. He was in charge of a large city treasury, into which money flowed from all over the country. Even during the life of Peter there were rumors that many funds were being spent for other purposes. Many believed that it was Menshikov who was scattering this money. What did Peter the Great do in response to such rumors? By and large, nothing: he needed the prince and appreciated him very much, because of which he got away with a lot.
PresidentMilitary Collegium
Despite his abuses, Menshikov in 1719 headed the new Military Collegium. This department appeared as a result of the great state reform of Peter the Great. The tsar abandoned the old and ineffective orders, and instead of them he established boards - the prototypes of modern ministries. A clear hierarchy has developed in these structures, which corresponded to the new Table of Ranks. President of the Military Collegium Menshikov became the first official with such a position.
After the prince was involved in direct administrative work, he no longer led the armies on the battlefield. Nevertheless, it was Alexander Danilovich who legislatively directed the life of the troops at the last stage of the Northern War. In 1721, the Treaty of Nystadt was concluded, which secured new conquests for Russia on the B altic coast. Since that moment, the country has been at the forefront of European big politics. In honor of the victory, Peter awarded numerous associates and officers who had been with him for these two decades. Menshikov received the rank of Vice Admiral.
The death of Peter and the reign of Catherine
Peter's fickle temper was the reason that the sovereign still could not stand the embezzlement of his entourage. In 1724, Menshikov was deprived of most of his posts: the post of president of the Military Collegium, the governor-general of St. Petersburg. A few months later, Peter became seriously ill and died. On his deathbed, he forgave his old friend and admitted Menshikov to him.
In the last years of the king's lifethe question of succession to the throne was acute. At the last moment, the emperor decided to transfer power to his wife Catherine, despite the fact that shortly before that she had been convicted of treason. Menshikov was close to the new ruler. With the help of the guards, he crushed any resistance of the enemy parties. However, his triumph was short-lived.
Exile and death
Catherine died suddenly in 1727. Her place was taken by the grandson of Peter I, Peter II. The new emperor was still a child, he did not make independent decisions. Behind him was a party of nobles who could not stand the "semi-powerful ruler." Alexander Danilovich was arrested and charged with embezzlement.
The new government announced the verdict. Link Menshikov was supposed to pass in the north. He was sent to distant Berezov. Despite the disgrace, the exile was allowed to have his own housing. Menshikov's house was built by his own hands. There he died in 1729.
