Foreign and domestic policy of Elizaveta Petrovna. The reign of Elizabeth I

Elizaveta Petrovna ascended the throne as a result of a coup in 1741. She was the daughter of the famous Emperor Peter I and Catherine I. The external and internal policy of Elizabeth Petrovna was aimed at continuing the reforms of her father. The Empress preferred to lead an idle life, and the power in the state was in the hands of the favorites. Despite this, her reign was marked by a number of transformations. In this article, we will discuss the reforms carried out by Elizaveta Petrovna, briefly review its foreign and domestic policies.

On the way to power

Elizaveta Petrovna was born in 1709. There is evidence that she was the Emperor's favorite daughter. Elizabeth received a good education. Peter I, expecting to marry his daughter to Louis XV, invited the best teachers to teach her French. Elizabeth's character combined temper and capriciousness. Historians note that the future Empress loved to wear luxurious dresses, adored to dance and went horseback riding.

After the death of Peter I, the nephew of Elizabeth ascended the throne - Peter II. After his death in 1730, Anna Ioannovna came to power. At that time, the authority of the supreme authority fell significantly. After the death of Anna Ioannovna, her nephew Ivan VI took the throne , but due to his young age Anna Leopoldovna rules the country. The policies of this regent were displeased with the upper circles of Russian society.

The coup d'etat

The accession to the throne of Elizabeth Petrovna is connected with the coup d'état of 1741. It was the result of a conspiracy in the highest social circles, and the organizers were IG Lestoc and the future Empress. The coup was carried out with the help of the guards of the Preobrazhensky regiment. In November 1741, two manifestoes were published. They officially confirmed the accession to the throne of Elizabeth Petrovna and declared the reign of Ivan VI illegal.

It should be noted that in the organization of the coup the Empress was assisted by I. Lestok, A. Shuvalov, P. Shuvalov, A. Razumovsky, M. Vorontsov. They were the main support of Elizabeth in the years of her rule.

Political reforms

In the 1740's. Elizaveta Petrovna's foreign and domestic policy was aimed at returning to the Petrine reforms. Entering the throne, she returned to the Senate the rights that he had at the time of her father's reign. During the reign of Empress Elizabeth, 1 the activities of this body were not marked by any major changes. The main measures of the Senate were aimed at solving problems as they arise.

Elizaveta Petrovna's political reforms also touched the Cabinet. This body was abolished. Instead, the Empress established the Conference in the highest court. She supervised the activities of the Senate.

Also, in the time of Elizabeth Petrovna, the work of the Chief Magistrate, Berg and Collegiums of Manufactures was resumed.

It should be noted that the highest positions at the court were occupied by the favorites of the empress and the persons who helped her to ascertain the throne. Among them, noblemen from the Vorontsov, Razumovsky and Shuvalov families can be identified.

Social politics

Social policy of the Empress was aimed at strengthening the autocracy and was of a pro-Russian nature. As a result of reforms carried out by Elizaveta Petrovna, the peasants were even more dependent on privileged persons. In 1760 the nobles were given the right to exile serfs to Siberia. In addition, the peasants could not deal with financial matters without the permission of the landowner. They also did not have the opportunity to enter military service at will. Since 1764, only persons of noble origin could have held the peasants in their possession.

It should be noted that during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, the death penalty was abolished. Instead, we began to use milder methods, although the practice of corporal punishment in landlord farms and in the army continued to exist.

Peasant disturbances

The external and internal policy of Elizabeth Petrovna led to a significant deterioration of the situation of the peasants. This was the reason for the emergence of protest moods in their environment. The discontent of the peasants was manifested primarily in mass shoots, robberies of landed estates and robbery. This was often accompanied by murders of nobles.

Also during the reign of Elizabeth, massive peasant uprisings broke out. In the early 1740's. There was unrest in the Bashkir environment. In 1743 the Teryushev Insurrection began. The imperial authorities managed to suppress it only to the middle of 1745.

Economic policy

Reforms Elizabeth Petrovna touched the economic sphere. In 1754, she abolished customs duties within the country. This reform contributed to the elimination of the economic fragmentation of Russia and the revitalization of trade ties. In 1757, customs duties on imported goods were increased. Russia in the days of Elizabeth Petrovna led a lively trade with the West European powers (Britain, France) and the eastern states.

By order of the Empress, new banks were created: the Noble and the Merchant. Their discovery contributed to the development of entrepreneurship in the Russian Empire. Also, during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, the nobility received a monopoly on distilling.

In the 40-60's. XVIII century. Manufactory manufacture actively developed. New enterprises opened in Irkutsk, Yaroslavl, Tambov, Ivanovo, etc.

Cultural Development of Russia

Speaking about the development of Russia in the 40's and 60's. XVIII century, it is important to note the policy in the field of culture, which was conducted by Elizaveta Petrovna. The years of her reign were marked by achievements in the field of education, science, architectural construction, etc. It was exactly from the time of Elizabeth that the Enlightenment began in Russia.

By decree of the empress, military educational institutions were reorganized. In addition, the first gymnasiums were opened in the capital and in Kazan. In 1755, Moscow University was founded, and 2 years later - the Academy of Arts.

The empress paid much attention to the arrangement of the monarch's residences. For the construction of the Winter Palace , an architect of Italian origin, Rastrelli, was invited. He also arranged the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo. The former residences of Peter I Peterhof and Strelna were also transformed.

During the reign of Elizabeth, the first public theaters were founded in Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg.

Foreign policy in 1740

As already noted, Elizabeth Petrovna's foreign and domestic policy was aimed at strengthening the positions of the imperial power. Before her accession to the throne, Russia participated in the war with Sweden. The commander-in-chief of the army was appointed P. P. Lassi. After the advent of Elizabeth, Russian troops succeeded in capturing the entire territory of Finland. Peace negotiations between the countries began in 1743. The delegates from Russia were A. Rumyantsev and I. Luberas. The Abo world was concluded in 1743. According to its conditions, part of Finland passed to Russia.

Russia in the Seven Years' War

Two coalitions of European states took part in this war. The first consisted of England, Portugal and Prussia, the second included Austria, France, Sweden, Saxony, Spain and Russia. Elizabeth 1 announced her entry into the war in 1757. This was due to the policy of Prussia, which threatened the territorial interests of the Russian Empire in the Baltic states and Poland.

The main events of the Seven Years' War

The seven-year war is the main foreign political event of the period when the rules of Elizaveta Petrovna. The table with the most important dates associated with Russia's participation in this conflict is presented below.

It should be noted that the results of these victories of the Russian Empire could not be used. In 1761, Elizaveta Petrovna died of throat bleeding. The throne was occupied by Peter III. He went to an alliance with the Prussian emperor and returned all the conquered lands to him.

Personal life

Even before the accession to the throne, Elizabeth Petrovna was engaged to the prince Karl Holstein-Gottorpski. But on arrival in St. Petersburg, he contracted smallpox and died.

In 1731, Elizabeth 1 began a novel with a native of the Dnieper Cossacks Alexei Rozum. According to unconfirmed reports, in 1742 they were married. By this time Alexey received a new surname (Razumovsky) and became a wealthy nobleman.

In the early 50's, the Empress had a new favorite. His name was Ivan Shuvalov. He was quite an educated man, he loved science and art, and also maintained close friendly ties with M. Lomonosov.

Relationship with several favorites and the rampant life of the empress gave birth to a lot of rumors about secretly born children. After the death of Elizabeth Petrovna began to appear impostors. They declared themselves the children of the Empress. The most famous impostor was Princess Tarakanova.

Lifestyle

Elizaveta Petrovna's contemporaries celebrated her mind and kindness. However, these qualities were completely crossed out by an unusual laziness and a thirst for entertainment. The Empress led a wild life, often consumed alcoholic beverages. To state affairs was quite indifferent. Russian diplomats of the period of the reign of Elizabeth noted that treatises on concluding peace could have been lying with her for months without a signature.

Shortly before her death, the Empress was seized by a fear of loneliness. She was afraid to spend the night alone in the room. In addition, she constantly thought about the revenge of the ghosts of people tortured or sent by her order to Siberia. Elizaveta Petrovna spent every night in the different rooms of the palace.

Results

Elizaveta Petrovna was on the throne for 20 years. Despite the rampant lifestyle and indifference to state affairs, her reign was marked by a series of reforms and cultural achievements. One can single out the following features of the policy of Elizabeth Petrovna.

1. The initial stage of the empress's reign was marked by progressive reforms. However, as early as the 1950s, the conservative features appeared in the policy of Elizabeth. During this period, the position of the peasantry is deteriorating considerably, as evidenced by the uprisings.

2. Pro-Russian policy aimed at increasing its privileges.

3. Foreign policy was dominated by the Western vector. As a result of the wars, part of Finland was annexed to Russia.

4. Development of science and culture. Elizabeth Petrovna's rule was marked by the first steps towards enlightened absolutism.