Age of palace coups: table. 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 with a certain political force. IN. Klyuchevsky very aptly called it so - 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, passed through intrigues, betrayals, murders.

It all began with the unexpected death of Peter I. He left behind the "Charter of succession to the throne" (1722), according to which a large number of people could claim power.

The end of this troubled era is the coming to power of Catherine II. Many historians consider it to be the era of enlightened absolutism.

Prerequisites of palace coups

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

We already mentioned the decision of Peter I regarding the succession to the throne. He broke the traditional mechanism by which power was transferred from the monarch to the senior representative in the male line.

Peter I did not want to see his son on the throne because he was an opponent of reforms. Therefore, he decided that the monarch could independently name the applicant. However, he died, leaving the phrase "Give everything ..." on paper.

The masses were alienated from politics, the nobility could not divide the throne - the state was swept by the struggle for power. Thus began the era of palace coups. The scheme, the table will allow to better trace the blood ties of all pretenders to the throne.

The coup of 1725 (Ekaterina Alekseevna)

At this time, two opposing groups were formed. The first consisted of A. Osterman and A. Menshikov. They sought to transfer power to the widow of Peter I, Ekaterina Alekseevna.

The second group, which included the Duke of Holstein, wished to elevate Peter II to the throne (Alexei's son and grandson of Peter the Great).

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

The actual ruler was A. Menshikov. He subordinated to himself the Council and enjoyed the unlimited confidence of the empress. He was also one of the leading figures when rulers of the era of palace coups changed (the table explains everything).

The accession of Peter II in 1727

The reign of Catherine Alexeyevna lasted a little more than two years. After her death, the question of succession to the throne 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 young Peter. His mentor and educator was A. Osterman. However, he failed to exert the right influence on the monarch, although he still had enough to prepare and conduct the overthrow of A. Menshikov in 1727.

Board of Anna Ioannovna since 1730

Peter II was on the throne for three years and died suddenly. Again, the main question is: "Who will take the throne?". So the era of palace coups continued. The table of events is presented below.

In the arena of events appear Dolgorukie, who are making an attempt to reign of Catherine Dolgoruky. She was the bride of Peter II.

The attempt failed, and the candidate was nominated by the Golitsyns. She became Anna Ioannovna. It was crowned only after the signing of the Confedies with the Supreme Privy Council, which had not lost its influence.

Conditutions limited the power of the monarch. Soon the Empress breaks the documents she signed and returns the autocracy. The question of succession to the throne is decided in advance. Not being able to acquire own children, she declared the future heir to the child of her niece. He will be known as Peter III.

However, by 1740 Elizaveta Petrovna and the representative of the family Velf born son John, who in two months became a monarch immediately after the death of Anna Ioannovna. His regent is recognized as Biron.

1740 and the coup of Minich

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

The woman was not able to rule the state, and Minimi took everything into his own hands. He was subsequently replaced by A. Osterman. He also sent the Field Marshal to resign. The era of palace coups (the table is presented below) united these rulers.

The accession of Elizabeth Petrovna since 1741

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 the Guards 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 the fortress. Minich, Osterman, Levenwolde were sentenced to death, but she was replaced by a link to Siberia.

Rules Elizabeth Petrovna more than 20 years.

The coming to power of Peter III

Elizaveta Petrovna saw successor to her father's relative. So she brought a nephew from Holstein. He was given the name of Peter III, he adopted Orthodoxy. The Empress was not enthusiastic about the character of the future heir. In an effort to remedy the situation, she instructed his teachers, but this did not help.

To continue the family Elizaveta Petrovna married him to the German princess Sophia, who will become Catherine the Great. They had two children - Pavel's son and daughter Anna.

Before his death, Elizabeth will be advised to appoint Paul the heir. However, she did not dare to do it. After her death, the throne passed to his nephew. His policy was very unpopular both among the people and among the nobles. At the same time after the death of Elizabeth Petrovna, he did not hurry to get crowned. This was the occasion for a coup from his wife Catherine, over which the threat of divorce was long delayed (this was often claimed 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 learn Russian language and traditions. She quickly learned new information. This helped her to get distracted after two unsuccessful pregnancies and the fact that Pavel's long-awaited son was immediately taken away from her. She saw him only 40 days later. He was brought up by Elizabeth. She dreamed of becoming an empress. She had such an opportunity, because 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 the official version was called death from colic.

Her reign lasted 34 years. She refused to become a regent with her son and gave him the throne only after death. Her reign is attributed to the era of enlightened absolutism. More briefly, all presented the table "Palace coups".

Generalized information

The coming to power of Catherine ends the era of the palace coup. The table does not consider the emperors ruling after it, although Paul left the throne also because of the conspiracy.

In order to better understand all that is happening, we should consider the events and 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.

Results of the era of palace coups

Palace coups were reduced only to the struggle for power. They did not carry with them changes in the political and social spheres. The nobility shared the right to power among themselves, as a result of which over 37 years, six rulers were replaced.

Socio-economic stabilization was associated with Elizabeth I and Catherine II. They were also able to achieve certain success in the foreign policy of the state.