The era of the palace coups: table. The results of the era of palace coups

The most important and most interesting stage in the history of Russia was the period from 1725 to 1762. During this time, six monarchs were replaced, each of which stood for 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, went through intrigue, betrayal, and murder.

It all started with the unexpected death of Peter I. He left behind him a "Charter on the succession to the throne" (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. Many historians consider her reign an era of enlightened absolutism.

The background of the palace coups

The main reason for all previous events was the contradiction between many noble groups regarding succession to the throne. They were united only in that a temporary stop should be made in the implementation of reforms. Each of them saw this respite in their own way. Also, all groups of nobles equally eagerly eager for power. Therefore, the era of palace coups, the table of which is given below, was limited only by a change in the top.

Already mentioned the decision of Peter I regarding succession to the throne. 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 on the throne because he was an opponent of reform. Therefore, he decided that the monarch would be able to independently name the applicant. However, he died, leaving on the paper the phrase "Give everything back ...".

The masses were alienated from politics, the nobles could not divide the throne - the state was overwhelmed by the struggle for power. Thus began the era of palace coups. The scheme, the table will make it possible to better trace the blood ties of all applicants to the throne.

The 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, Catherine Alekseevna.

The second group, which included the Duke of Holstein, wanted to enthrone Peter II (son of Alexei and grandson of Peter I).

A clear predominance was in A. Menshikov, who managed to secure the support of the guard and put Catherine I on the throne. However, she did not have the ability to manage the state, and so the Great Privy Council was created in 1726. He became the highest government body.

The actual ruler was A. Menshikov. He subjugated the Council and enjoyed the unlimited trust 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).

Reign of Peter II in 1727

The reign of Ekaterina Alekseevna lasted a little over two years. After her death, the question of succession again loomed 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 sovereign was recognized as a minor Peter. His mentor and educator was A. Osterman. However, he failed to exert the necessary influence on the monarch, although he was still enough to prepare and conduct the overthrow of A. Menshikov in 1727.

The reign of Anna Ioannovna 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?”. So the era of palace coups continued. A table of what is happening is presented below.

Dolgoruky appear in the arena of events, who are attempting to reign over Catherine Dolgoruky. She was the bride of Peter II.

The attempt failed, and the Golitsyns nominated their pretender. She became Anna Ioannovna. She was crowned only after the signing of Condition with the Supreme Privy Council, which had not yet lost its influence.

Condition limited the power of the monarch. Soon the empress tears apart the documents signed by her and returns the autocracy. She decides the question of succession in advance. Unable to have her own children, she declared the future heir to the child of her niece. He will be known as Peter III.

However, by 1740, Elizabeth Petrovna and the representative of the Welfish clan had a son, John, who became a monarch in two months immediately after the death of Anna Ivanovna. Biron is recognized as its regent.

1740 and the coup of Minich

The regent's board lasted two weeks. The coup was organized by Field Marshal Minich. He was supported by the guard, who arrested Biron and appointed the mother of the baby as regent.

The woman was not able to rule the state, and Minih took everything into his own hands. He was subsequently replaced by A. Osterman. He fired the field marshal. The era of palace coups (the table is presented below) united these rulers.

The reign of Elizabeth Petrovna since 1741

On November 25, 1741, another coup took place. He passed quickly and bloodlessly, power was in the hands of Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter I. She raised a guard behind her with a small speech and proclaimed herself empress. Count Vorontsov helped her in this.

The young ex-emperor and his mother were imprisoned in a fortress. Minich, Osterman, and Levenwold were sentenced to death, but they replaced her with a link to Siberia.

Rules Elizaveta Petrovna for over 20 years.

The rise to power of Peter III

Elizaveta Petrovna saw the successor of a relative of her father. Therefore, she brought her nephew from Holstein. He was given the name Peter III, he converted to Orthodoxy. The empress was not enthusiastic about the nature of the future heir. In an effort to rectify the situation, she assigned teachers to him, but this did not help.

To continue the family, Elizabeth Petrovna married him to the German princess Sofia, who would become Catherine the Great. They had two children - son Paul and daughter Anna.

Before death, Elizabeth will be advised to appoint Paul as 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. Moreover, after the death of Elizabeth Petrovna, he was in no hurry to crown. This was the reason for the coup on the part of his wife Catherine, over whom the threat of divorce hung long ago (this was often stated by the emperor). It officially ended the era of the palace coup (the table contains additional information about the children's nickname of the Empress).

June 28, 1762. The reign of Catherine II

Becoming the wife of Peter Fedorovich, Catherine began to study the Russian language and traditions. She quickly learned new information. This helped her get distracted after two unsuccessful pregnancies and the fact that her long-awaited son Pavel was taken from her immediately after birth. She saw him only after 40 days. Elizabeth was engaged in his education. She dreamed of becoming an empress. She had such an opportunity, since Peter Fedorovich did not pass the coronation. Elizabeth took advantage of the support of the guards and overthrew her husband. Most likely, he was killed, although death from colic was called the official version.

Her reign lasted 34 years. She refused to become regent with her son and gave him the throne only after death. Her rule dates back to the era of enlightened absolutism. More briefly, the table "Palace Coups" presented everything.

Summary Information

When Catherine came to power, the era of the palace coup ends. The table does not consider the emperors ruling after it, although Paul left the throne also as a result of the conspiracy.

In order to better understand everything that is happening, you should consider the events and the people who are associated with them through generalizing information on the topic “The era of palace coups” (briefly).

The table of palace coups clearly describes the main events of that time.

The results of the era of palace coups

Palace coups were reduced only to the struggle for power. They did not bring any 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.