The 18th century in Russian history is a period of palace coups. As a result of the death of Peter the Great, a troubled time began, when everyone fought for power. The palace coups became a symbol of the times of Elizabeth, Catherine the Great and other rulers of this time.
What was the cause of these events? They became the following phenomena:
- the decree of Peter the Great on a new method of succession to the throne;
- increased stratification of society;
- a power struggle between court groups;
- absence in the will of Peter the name of his heir;
- strengthening the role of the guard;
- a significant portion of foreign nationals.
It is worth noting that all the palace coups of the 18th century took place with the help of the guard. For almost 80 years, Russia has not been tired of hearing the name of a new, sometimes quite unexpected ruler. During this time, more than one dynasty visited the throne. How did the chronology of these events take shape?
The first palace coup took place in 1725. Then the wife of Peter I ascended the throne , who after the baptism bore the name of Catherine I. Her reign was short, and the reign could not be called: all the affairs were managed by a close associate of Peter A. Menshikov.
The second palace coup occurred after the death of the empress. In 1727, Peter II began to reign , whose power became possible thanks to the illness of A. Menshikov, and soon his exile. The death at a young age of Peter II led to the third palace coup in 1730. The niece of Peter I Anna Ioannovna came to power. The symbols of her time were torn conditions and Bironism - these are the conditions on the basis of which she began to reign.
Palace coups by that time were already common, but the relatively long reign of Anna, 10 years, surprised the residents of the state.
In 1740, Anna Leopoldovna and Ivan VI came to power . This dynasty settled on the Russian throne for less than a year. The so-called Braunschweig dynasty brought about serious changes, after which Elizaveta Petrovna came to power for a decent time . Palace coups are a change of rulers, conspiracies, murders and the absence of any compassion for the ruler. In 1741, the twenty-year rule of the daughter of Peter the Great Elizabeth Petrovna begins. She enjoyed authority in the army and among court groups. Elizabeth reduces her rule to the continuation of her fatherโs traditions. This is the heyday of the Russian state. Elizabeth carries out a series of reforms that stabilize the general situation in the country.
After the death of Elizabeth, the legitimate heir Peter III is expected to enter the throne. His reign was passing.
In 1762, another palace coup was carried out, as a result of which the time of Catherine the Great was established. The palace coups ceased to exist, but many attribute the exaltation of Alexander I to the same chain of events. But this is a different era and a different time, with its own reasons and premises.
The palace coups became an adornment of Russian history, with all its cruelty. Despite all the negative aspects, we got a graceful Petersburg with its magnificent buildings and streets. We received the Academy of Arts, Moscow University, as well as the works of the great M. Lomonosov. That is why palace coups are a symbol of imperial Russia.