Palace coups - the mysterious era of the Russian Empire

The 18th century in Russian history is the period of palace coups. As a result of the death of Peter the Great, a troubled time began, when everyone fought for power. Palace coups became a symbol of the times of Elizabeth, Catherine the Great and other rulers of this time.

What were the reasons for these events? They are the following phenomena:

• The decree of Peter the Great on a new method of succession to the throne;
• Strengthening the stratification of society;
• The struggle for power between the court groups;
• The absence in the will of Peter of his heir;
• Strengthening the role of the Guards;
• A significant part of foreign nationals.

It should be noted that all the palace revolutions of the 18th century took place with the help of the Guards. For almost 80 years, Russia has never tired of hearing the name of a new, sometimes quite unexpected ruler. During this time, the throne was visited by more than one dynasty. How did the chronology of these events evolve?

The first palace coup occurred in 1725. Then the wife of Peter I ascended to the throne , which after the baptism bore the name of Catherine I. Her reign was short, and it can not be called a board: all affairs were managed by a close ally of Peter A. Menshikov.

The second palace coup occurred after the death of the Empress. In 1727, Peter II began reigning , whose power became possible due to A. Menshikov's illness, and soon his exile. 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 the broken conditions and "bironovshchina" - these are the conditions on the basis of which she began to reign.

Palace coups were by then already common, but the relatively long reign of Anna, 10 years old, surprised 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 Elizabeth Petrovna came to power for a long time . Palace coups are a change of rulers, conspiracies, murders and the absence of any compassion for the ruler. In 1741, the twenty-year reign of the daughter of Peter the Great, Elizabeth Petrovna, began. She enjoyed authority in the army and in the court groups. Her rule Elizabeth reduces to the continuation of the traditions of his father. This is the heyday of the Russian state. Elizabeth is carrying out a series of reforms that stabilize the overall situation in the country.

After the death of Elizabeth, the legitimate heir, Peter III, is expected to enter the throne. His reign was a passing one.

In 1762 another palace revolution was carried out, as a result of which the time of Catherine the Great was established. Palace revolutions ceased to exist, but many relate the construction of Alexander I to the same chain of events. But this is another era and another time, with its own causes and assumptions.

Palace coups became an ornament of Russian history, with all its cruelty. Despite all the negative aspects, we got a graceful Petersburg with its majestic 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.