Palace coups: briefly about an entire era

Palace coups, which can not be briefly described, are a whole epoch in the long history of our country. Conspiracies, poisonings, murders - all this accompanied the Russian Empire for almost a century. What was the reason for the appearance of such a period? Now we'll figure it out.

Palace coups: briefly on the causes

There is a point of view that the main reason for this era was the order of Great Peter I about the succession to the throne. The essence of it was that every ruling monarch can appoint his next successor, bypassing the traditional inheritance of the Russian throne. In principle, the decree was not so bad, if not for one "but": the emperor himself did not name the heir. From this moment, palace revolutions in Russia have their origin. Another reason was the political instability of society. At that time, a bureaucratic-military apparatus played a special role in the management of the whole country. And of course, a significant influence was exerted by a significant class stratification of the population. It is also worth mentioning one more key feature: all coups took place with the support of the Guard. In other words, the one who was on whose side was the military power won.

Palace coups: briefly about succeeding monarchs

So, a kind of heir to the throne of Great Peter the Great was his wife Catherine. She was not particularly puzzled by the state affairs, since she entrusted this mission to the Supreme Privy Council created. She did not last long - only two years. After her, the grandson of the first emperor enters the throne - Peter the Second. For his influence there was a fierce struggle between the nobles: the adherents of Peter and the princes of Dolgoruky. But his reign was short: at the age of fourteen the young monarch died. The next empress, Anna Ioannovna, stayed on the throne for 10 years. The period of her reign went down in history under the title "Bironovshchina". It was the time of the German nobility, which in the person of the Empress's favorites was ruled by Russia. Anna demonstratively breaks the tradition and abolishes the authority created by Catherine the First. After it, according to the will, the power in the country passes into the hands of the Braunschweig dynasty for less than a year. Anna Leopoldovna was far from political intrigues and needs of the state, and therefore could not keep so much territory under control.

Now comes the time of prosperity and political stability, because Elizabeth Petrovna, who is the daughter of Peter the Great, rises to the throne. For 20 years of government, it has taken Russia to the world level and is doing everything to ensure that everything goes on within the empire in the way that was planned by Peter I. And she succeeds. After the death of Elizabeth, the throne is received by her nephew Peter III, whom his wife overthrows. The palace coup of 1762 was forever in history, as in its result the reign of the country was Catherine the Great. This time will be the heyday of the Russian state.

Palace revolutions, briefly described above, are an important part in the history of the development of our country. For several years the throne saw various monarchs who are able and incapable of governing such a huge country. The epoch ended beautifully: a wise woman on the throne showed how to lead.