At the end of November 1741, another palace coup took place, which brought the youngest daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth, to power.
The arrest of Biron, the rise to power of the unpopular Brunswickers in the country and among the guards, and the dominance of the Germans in the management of the Russian state undermined power and awakened Russian national consciousness. Society again turned to the era of Peter I, whose name again shone in an aura of glory and greatness. At the same time, the popularity of his daughter Elizabeth grew every day.
Elizabeth became aware of the plans of the German party to declare Anna Leopoldovna empress in the event of the death of her one-year-old son. In this case, the crown princess, the only Russian representative of the Romanov dynasty, lost her rights to the throne. The guards encouraged Elizabeth to carry out a coup.
At night, dressed in a grenadier uniform, Elizabeth appeared before the grenadiers of the Preobrazhensky Regiment. They were waiting for her. Elizabeth turned to the grenadiers: “Do you want to follow me, are you ready to die with me if necessary?” The grenadiers unanimously replied: “We are glad to lay down our souls for Your Majesty and our Fatherland.” The grenadiers entered the Winter Palace without interference. The Brunswick couple were taken by surprise. Together with the baby, Emperor Ivan Antonovich, the couple was sent to the Peter and Paul Fortress, where Minich and Osterman were also imprisoned.
The next morning, the regiments of the capital's garrison and guard lined up on the square in front of the palace swore allegiance to the new empress. A Manifesto on the accession of Elizabeth Petrovna to the paternal throne was immediately announced.
It was said that she took the throne by right, because after the death of Peter II, she is closest in blood to Peter I.
Having taken the throne, Elizabeth announced the abolition of the death penalty in Russia. And indeed, during her reign she did not sign a single death warrant.
The reign of Elizaveta Petrovna
Elizabeth Petrovna began her reign with a slight reduction in the poll tax. At the same time, the serfs were not allowed to swear allegiance to the new empress. The gentlemen took the oath for them. This clearly indicated the internal political orientation of the new government: serfdom remained unshakable as before, Elizaveta Petrovna only somewhat limited the use of serf labor in industry, because his unprofitability made itself felt more and more. The right to buy peasants into factories was also limited, and the number of registered peasants was reduced.
Elizabeth announced the liquidation of the Cabinet and the establishment of the Imperial Council. It included her closest supporters. The leader became Osterman's rival, the experienced dignitary Alexei Petrovich Bestuzhev-Ryumin, who returned from exile shortly before the coup. Old Russian surnames began to shine - Trubetskoy, Naryshkin, Cherkassky, Kurakin. The Shuvalovs and A.G. received high court ranks. Razumovsky. Field Marshal Vasily Dolgoruky was appointed president of the Military Collegium.
At the same time, reprisals began against representatives of the old government. They decided to deport the Brunswick family abroad and even sent them to Riga for subsequent transfer to Germany. However, Elizabeth’s supporters believed that Ivan Antonovich, having matured, could put forward his claims to the Russian throne, and that foreign powers would use his name. Therefore, in Riga the family was arrested and sent to the village of Kholmogory near Arkhangelsk, where they lived out their life. The young deposed emperor was imprisoned in the Shlisselburg fortress and kept there in complete isolation.
The Senate again became the Governing (main after the Empress) body of power in the country; it was replenished with Russian nobles. Elizaveta Petrovna restored some of Peter's collegiums and the Chief Magistrate. The terror against the Russian nobility and nobility ceased, but the Secret Chancellery continued to operate. About 80 thousand people passed through its dungeons during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna.
Elizabeth encouraged the construction of new ships in the Baltic and restored the quantitative composition of the Russian army. The government apparatus was partially reduced, the principle of unity of command was strengthened, and prosecutorial supervision was restored to its previous extent.
During the time of Elizabeth Petrovna, the nobility acquired new privileges. The period of public service in the army, navy, and in the management system was shortened. The nobles received the right to exile offending peasants to Siberia, and these people were counted as recruits given to the state. Nobles could also sell their serfs to others for distribution.
Among other noble privileges and benefits, there was the transfer of state-owned factories (in particular, Ural ones) to the nobles. A monopoly of the nobles on distillation was introduced, which gave them colossal profits. The government reduced government monopolies, rightly believing that freedom and competition of private entrepreneurs and traders would promote economic development.
Contemporaries and historians characterized the time of Elizabeth Petrovna as calm and conservative. Autocratic power in Russia remained unshakable.
Through the efforts of Elizabeth's associates, urgent reforms in the field of economics were carried out. Internal customs, which stood as insurmountable barriers to trade, were abolished. From now on, it was possible to transport goods throughout the country without any payments. The internal apparatus of customs, where corruption flourished, was eliminated. The new customs protectionist tariff protected the interests of domestic industrialists.
By the middle of the 18th century. the stable state of the state, reasonable reforms led to the rise of industry and trade. Dozens of new metallurgical plants emerged, and the number of cloth, sail-linen, paper and textile factories grew. They were built not only in St. Petersburg and Moscow, but also in Kaluga, Voronezh, Yaroslavl, Serpukhov, and in the cities of Siberia. The villages of Ivanovo, Kineshma, Pavlovo acquired large production facilities and received the status of cities. The new enterprises used the labor of civilian workers, although forced labor still predominated in the Ural metallurgy and at the Demidov factories.
Merchant capital acquired a prominent place in the creation of factories and manufactories. The process of forming a national bourgeoisie was underway.
There were not enough civilian workers, so the use of sessional and assigned peasants expanded. Feudal labor remained the basis of large-scale production. This state of the economy, unique for Europe at that time, was bound to lead Russia to a dead end sooner or later.
Foreign trade was actively developing. The nobles remained the main suppliers of agricultural products abroad, but even here serf labor was the basis of trade relations useful for the country.
Internal trade moved forward through the efforts of merchants and peasants. The principle of free competition, which was supported by the government of Elizabeth, made its way.
Elizaveta Petrovna pursued a tough, purely Petrine policy in the field of religion and national relations. Lutheran churches were turned into Orthodox churches, severe repressions against Old Believers began, and bearded men were again subject to taxes. Twice Elizabeth, by her decrees, announced the expulsion from the empire of Jews who did not convert to Christianity.
One of the most important problems for Elizabeth Petrovna was the choice of a successor to the throne. Realizing that this problem had more than once caused serious upheavals for the country, the Empress tried to prepare the heir to the throne in advance. She chose the Prince of Holstein, nephew, son of her sister Lipa Petrovna - Karl Peter. He was the grandson and sole successor of the family of Peter I. Having called him to Russia and baptized him according to the Orthodox rite, Elizaveta Petrovna hoped to prepare a worthy successor in the person of Peter Fedorovich, as he began to be called. The legitimate heir, he had to block the path to the throne for the prisoner Ivan Antonovich.
In 1742, 14-year-old Karl Peter arrived in Russia. On the Holstein line, he was the great-grandson of the Swedish king Charles XII, so at first he was prepared to take the Swedish throne. Karl Peter studied Swedish and was brought up in the Lutheran faith.
His invitation to Russia was the empress’s fatal mistake. Until the end of his days, the heir to the Russian throne considered Holstein his homeland, and Lutheranism his native religion. Russia was a foreign country for him. Since childhood, his idol was the Prussian king Frederick II, who fanatically worshiped the Prussian military order.
The Empress made her second serious mistake when she chose a bride for the vulnerable and impressionable Pyotr Fedorovich. At the age of 17, Elizaveta Petrovna married him to 16-year-old Sophia Frederica Augusta, a princess from the seedy German principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. In Russia, she converted to Orthodoxy under the name of Ekaterina Alekseevna.
A petite blonde with blue eyes and an iron character arrived in St. Petersburg. At 16 years old, Ekaterina Alekseevna was a fully formed person. She sought to please the empress, the Russian elite, the guard and the Orthodox clergy, and to become one of her own in Russia. Catherine persistently studied the Russian language, comprehended customs, prayed earnestly and observed all religious instructions and rituals.
The dissimilarity of the spouses was revealed already in the first months after the wedding. While her husband was having fun with childish games in the palace, Catherine persistently educated herself and read serious literature. Soon their marriage became a formality. A tight knot of alienation was tightening between the spouses, which was sooner or later to be resolved by an explosion in their relationship.
The last years of Elizaveta Petrovna
At the end of her days, the empress had little interest in state affairs. Elizaveta Petrovna established a permanent Conference (advisory body) in her person, which included nobles close to her. Gradually, the Conference subjugated all the central institutions of the country - both the Senate and the collegiums. Essentially, Elizabeth entrusted the governance of the country to her favorites and confidants. She herself spent all her time on entertainment and amusements. The Empress loved holidays and loved to shine among the courtiers in fancy dress. In her craving for pleasure and expensive clothes, Elizaveta Petrovna was uncontrollable. After the death of the empress, about 15 thousand dresses were discovered in her wardrobe. Twice in the same outfit she almost never appeared in public.
And yet, during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, a certain stabilization of the life of the country took place. The positions of the Russian nobility were strengthened, and serfdom was confirmed and developed. Certain successes have been achieved in foreign policy - Sweden's attempts to revise the terms of the Nystadt Peace have been overthrown, and the power of the Prussian state has been shaken.
Peter III: six months on the throne
In 1761, Elizaveta Petrovna passed away. According to her will, the grandson of Peter I, Peter Fedorovich, ascended the throne. The short reign of Peter III began.
Elizabeth dreamed of continuing the Romanov dynasty. After 9 years of marriage, Ekaterina Alekseevna gave birth to a son, Pavel. Contemporaries and historians, not without reason, believed that the boy’s father was a guards officer, the handsome Sergei Vasilyevich Saltykov, the favorite of the Grand Duchess. If this is so, then the Romanov dynasty is interrupted by Pavel Petrovich. However, at that time few people were interested in this. The main thing is that an heir appeared.
Elizabeth, disappointed in her nephew, hatched a plan to transfer the throne to her grandson besides her father. She took the boy away from his parents and raised him herself.
During the few months that Peter III was in power, he made many tragic mistakes that led to his death. At the same time, Peter III carried out several important government reforms that advanced Russian civilization.
A decree was prepared to destroy the Secret Chancellery. Thus, the emperor was ready to strike at one of the most terrible medieval search systems in Kirov. Another decree of Peter III deprived industrialists of the right to buy serfs for manufactories. A ban was introduced on the oppression of Old Believers. Peter III proclaimed the principle of religious tolerance in Russia. His government prepared a project for the secularization (transferring into the hands of the state) of church lands. This meant that the clergy no longer dared to establish their own rules in their domains. Essentially, Peter III continued the line of Peter I to subordinate the Church to the state. Peter III set as his goal the promotion of the development of the urban class in the Western spirit. He wanted to attract Western entrepreneurs to Russia and generally build life in the country in a European manner.
The policy of Peter III turned out to be extremely close to the policy of Peter the Great, but times have changed. Peter III did not have a strong foothold in Russian society. His influential layers, primarily the guard, did not accept the actions of the emperor.
The attitude towards him did not improve even after the Manifesto on the Freedom of the Nobility (1762), according to which the nobility was exempted from compulsory 25-year service. The government motivated this by the fact that under Peter I it was necessary to force the nobles to serve and study. The nobility showed patriotic zeal and zeal in the service of the state, and now there was no longer any point in coercion.
Thus, Peter III connected his Manifesto directly with the policies of his grandfather and its beneficial results for Russia.
The nobility rejoiced. Now a significant part of it had the right to start their own farming, which could not but have a positive impact on the overall development of the country’s economy.
The manifesto freed part of the Russian population from forced labor. This was a step towards the further liberation of the population from general bondage, which was opposed in every possible way by the liberated nobility itself, which literally clung to its serfs.
Peter III had powerful opposition in the person of a significant part of the Russian elite, the guard, the clergy and, first of all, his wife Ekaterina Alekseevna. The German princess more and more definitely made claims to the Russian throne. Patiently and persistently she weaved a web of conspiracy against her husband. Everywhere she spoke of her devotion to the interests of Russia, which was in contrast to the Holstein line of Peter III. The emperor's undertakings that were truly useful for Russia were passed off as the initiative of his assistants. Attention focused on his mistakes and unseemly personal behavior. With the light hand of Catherine and her assistants, such a distorted image of Peter III entered the history of Russia for a long time. Meanwhile, the uncontrollable desire for power of Catherine herself was hushed up. Many years later, she admitted in her notes that she came to Russia with the motto: reign or die.
The leader of Catherine’s party, which condemned everything that Peter III did and widely notified the court and guards about his connections with the Germans, became the educated nobleman Nikita Ivanovich Panin. This also included the commander of the Izmailovsky regiment, the chief of police, the chief prosecutor, and officers of the guards regiments. A major role among the conspirators was played by Grigory Orlov, Catherine Alekseevna’s favorite, his four brothers, and non-commissioned officer of the Horse Guards Grigory Potemkin (1739-1791), a future outstanding figure in Catherine’s government.
At 6 o'clock in the morning on June 28, 1762, the spring of the conspiracy unfolded. Alexei Orlov appeared at the palace in Peterhof, where Catherine lived at that time, and told her: “Everything is ready to proclaim you.”
A few minutes later the carriage with Catherine was already rushing to St. Petersburg. At the entrance to the city, Grigory Orlov was waiting for the crew. Soon Catherine appeared in front of the barracks of the Izmailovsky regiment. The guards immediately swore allegiance to the new empress. She was greeted with delight by the Semyonovtsy and Preobrazhensky residents. In the Winter Palace, Catherine, who assumed the title of autocratic Empress Catherine II, began to take the oath of office for members of the Governing Senate, the Holy Synod and government officials.
Peter III was in Oranienbaum at this time. Realizing that the coup had already occurred and regiments were swearing allegiance to Catherine one after another, Peter III renounced his rights to the throne and asked to be released to Holstein. However, Catherine did not intend to collect deposed emperors: Ivan Antonovich was still alive in Shlisselburg. A decision was brewing to eliminate Peter III physically. How it really happened remains forever hidden from history.
The emperor was arrested and taken to a country palace in the town of Ropsha. The prisoner spent only seven days there. There is information that the guards strangled Peter III.
The Guard again placed their man on the throne. At the same time, Catherine II carried out a double coup: she simultaneously usurped the rights to the throne of her son Pavel Petrovich and took his place on the throne.
The reign of Catherine II began, whom her contemporaries proclaimed Great.
- Years of life: December 29 (18th century) 1709 – January 5, 1762 (December 25, 1762)
- Years of reign: December 6 (November 25) 1741 – January 5, 1762 (December 25, 1761)
- Father and mother: and Catherine I.
- Spouse: Alexey Grigorievich Razumovsky.
- Children: No.
Elizaveta Petrovna (December 29 (18), 1709 – January 5, 1762 (December 25, 1761)) was a Russian empress who reigned for 20 years from 1741.
Elizaveta Petrovna: childhood
On December 29 (18), 1709, in the Kolomna Palace, Catherine I gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth, whose father was Emperor Peter I. On this day, the emperor returned to Moscow, intending to celebrate the victory in, but postponed the celebration in order to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.
Elizabeth became an illegitimate child; her parents got married only 2 years later. In 1711, Elizabeth and her sister Anna became princesses.
From childhood, Elizabeth was distinguished by her extraordinary beauty; already at the age of 8 she attracted attention with her attractive appearance. She was distinguished by grace, ease of movement, and knew how to dance perfectly.
Catherine, her mother, had no education, so she did not pay due attention to her daughters' education. But Elizabeth had an excellent command of French; she could speak it fluently at the age of 16. The training was conducted by Veselovsky. Such attention was paid specifically to French, since Elizabeth's parents planned to marry her to Louis XV or the Duke of Orleans. Peter the Great negotiated on this issue, but was never able to agree on a marriage.
Elizabeth paid attention to her appearance, outfits, and was fond of horseback riding, boat riding, and hunting. She had beautiful handwriting and read French novels, which also left its mark on her upbringing.
Elizabeth and her sister were surrounded by luxury from childhood: they wore Spanish outfits, dresses embroidered with gold and silver.
The matchmaking of Elizaveta Petrovna
After an unsuccessful attempt to marry Elizabeth to the French Dauphin, Portuguese and Persian suitors approached her, but they were refused. As a result, Elizabeth agreed to marry Karl-August of Holstein; he was the younger brother of the then-ruling duke and bishop of the Ljub diocese, but in 1727 he died in St. Petersburg before he could get married. Elizabeth, left without prospects for a successful marriage, was greatly saddened by the untimely death of her groom.
Osterman, a statesman, decided to marry Elizabeth to the emperor - Peter II. The church opposed this marriage, since Elizabeth was his aunt, as well as Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, because. he planned to marry his daughter to the emperor.
Peter II and Elizabeth in 1727 were united by close friendship. The emperor hunted with his aunt and went for a walk. But despite their warm relationship, the wedding did not take place.
In the same year, portraits of Elizaveta Petrovna were sent to Moritz of Saxony and Karl-August of Holstein. Prince Karl-August decided to marry the princess and went to St. Petersburg. But in the process of preparing for the wedding, he fell ill with smallpox and died. Elizabeth finally came to terms with the prospect of remaining unmarried.
In 1727, she fell in love with the military leader Alexander Borisovich Buturlin. In this regard, meetings between Elizabeth and Peter II were significantly reduced.
When Elizabeth began to live in Alexandrovskaya Sloboda, Buturlin often visited her. This displeased Peter II, who sent him to Ukraine in 1729. The relationship between Elizaveta and Buturlin ended there.
After Semyon Naryshkin became Elizaveta Petrovna’s favorite, rumors appeared about their possible engagement. But the tsar again took part and sent Naryshkin abroad.
The Prussian ambassador offered to arrange a marriage between Elizabeth and the Brandenburg Elector Charles, but Peter refused, without even discussing this issue with the princess herself.
The third lover of Elizaveta Petrovna was the grenadier Shubin, who served as her orderly.
The life of Elizaveta Petrovna under Anna Ioannovna
On January 30 (19), Peter II died. According to the will of Catherine I, power should have gone to Elizabeth, but the throne was offered. Relations between Elizabeth and Anna were strained; the Empress was jealous of Elizabeth's beauty and also saw her as a strong political rival.
Elizabeth lived on an estate near Moscow and did not participate in political life. Afterwards, Anna Ioannovna (her cousin) moved her to St. Petersburg. Elizabeth was forced to live very modestly, she experienced financial difficulties, gave her own funds to educate her cousins - the daughters of Karl Skavronsky.
Elizabeth actively communicated with ordinary people and participated in their holidays. The barracks of the Preobrazhensky Regiment were located near her house. Elizaveta Petrovna developed good relations with the guards, she gave them gifts and even baptized their children. Elizabeth rarely appeared at court.
Anna ordered Elizabeth's favorite, Alexei Yakovlevich Shubin, to be imprisoned in a fortress, and then exiled to Siberia, where he was married against his will to a local resident.
Elizabeth did not crave power, she did not try to stage a coup. She also never declared her rights to the throne.
Coup d'etat and accession to the throne of Elizabeth Petrovna
Elizaveta Petrovna: internal politics
Elizaveta Petrovna said that she planned to continue the policies of Peter I. On December 13 (12), 1741, she abolished the Cabinet of Ministers and restored the Governing Senate, which performed the functions of legislative and executive power. The Berg Collegium, the Manufactory Collegium, the Chief Magistrate, and the Prosecutor's Office were also restored.
Under Peter I, people were executed for embezzlement and bribes, beaten with a whip, and property was taken away. Elizabeth commuted the punishment to reduction in rank, transfer to another service, and dismissal. She abolished the death penalty and was actively involved in the construction of almshouses and homes for the disabled.
In 1741, the Empress forgave the peasants' arrears for 17 years. On the initiative of her favorite Shuvalov, commissions were organized that were engaged in the development of new legislation, the Noble, Merchant and Copper banks were established, internal customs were destroyed and duties on imported goods were increased.
The rights of the nobles were expanded. During their service, they could take long-term leaves. In 1746, the nobles were granted the right to own land and peasants, and in 1760, landowners were given the right to exile them to Siberia.
Under Elizaveta Petrovna, the development of Russian culture took off. M.V. Lomonosov began to publish his works, the first complete geographical atlas of Russia, the first chemical laboratory appeared, the Moskovskie Vedomosti newspaper was opened, a university and 2 gymnasiums were established in Moscow, and the first Russian state theater was established in St. Petersburg.
Also, under the empress, the role of the Synod increased, and the persecution of Old Believers increased. In 1742, she issued a decree according to which all citizens who professed Judaism should be expelled, while those who wanted to convert to Orthodoxy could remain. The construction of mosques was prohibited.
Elizaveta Petrovna: foreign policy
In foreign policy, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna also adhered to the principles of Peter I. When she ascended the throne, the country was at war with Sweden. In 1743 it ended, the Russian Empire received part of Finland.
The power of Prussia grew, so the Russian Empire entered into an anti-Prussian alliance with Austria, as a result our country became a participant. The actions of the Russian Empire were quite successful: the Russian army occupied East Prussia and even briefly occupied Berlin.
Elizaveta Petrovna: personal life
Under Elizabeth, as under other monarchs of the 18th century, favoritism flourished. For a long time, Alexey Grigorievich Razumovsky played a big role in the life of the empress. It is believed that even at the end of 1742 they secretly got married in the village of Perov near Moscow, although there is no written evidence of this event. He lived in apartments connected to the empress's chambers. Razumovsky under Elizaveta Petrovna became one of the richest nobles at court. There were also rumors that the Empress and Razumovsky had a child, so after her death, so-called “heirs” began to appear; the most famous impostor was Princess Tarakanova.
At the end of 1749, Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov became another favorite of Elizabeth. He influenced both the domestic and foreign policies of the Russian Empire. Shuvalov contributed to the development of science, founded Moscow University and created the Academy of Arts.
Life at court under Elizabeth Petrovna
The Empress loved to buy new outfits and organize celebrations. After the death of Elizabeth Petrovna, about 15,000 dresses were found in her wardrobes, and in 1753, during a fire in one of the Moscow palaces, 4,000 outfits burned down. She also had two chests of silk stockings, thousands of pairs of shoes and a huge amount of French fabric.
The Empress also loved to organize masquerades, where women wore men's costumes and vice versa. Those around her often praised the empress's legs; she believed that men's suits suited her, while they spoiled other women.
Only Elizabeth could wear dresses of the new style; other noble ladies could only afford those outfits that the Empress herself had already stopped wearing.
Elizaveta Petrovna: death and last years of life
Since 1757, the Empress had hysterical fits. She was tormented by weakness and fainting, and after such attacks it was difficult for Elizabeth to speak. She had non-healing wounds on her legs.
Shortly before her death, she developed a severe cough of blood, and 10 days later she began to bleed heavily. January 5 (December 25) Elizaveta Petrovna died.
Choosing an heir
The Empress was the last representative of the Romanov dynasty in the direct female line. She chose her nephew, Duke Karl-Peter Ulrich of Holstein (), as her heir. After her death he became emperor.
Elizaveta Petrovna (brief biography)
Elizaveta Petrovna Romanova, the future Russian empress, was born on December 18, 1709, in an illegal (at the time of birth) church marriage between Catherine the Great and Peter the Great. Upon learning of her birth, the Tsar canceled the celebration planned for that day on the occasion of the success in ending the Russian-Swedish war. In the spring of 1711, the illegitimate Lisa was declared princess.
According to contemporaries, Elizabeth was distinguished by her resourcefulness, sharp mind, amazing beauty, as well as horse riding and a love of dancing. The future ruler received her education in the Izmailovsky and Preobrazhensky villages, studying foreign languages, geography and history there.
Numerous attempts to marry her daughter to representatives of the ruling dynasties could not bring positive results. Prince Menshikov’s attempt to find a party under Peter the Second also ended unsuccessfully. Osterman himself even offered to marry the daughter of Peter the Great to Peter Alekseevich, but the princess herself rejected this choice.
After the death of Pyotr Alekseevich in 1730, the question arose about who exactly would now take the throne. According to the will of Catherine the First, it should only be Elizabeth. But the secret council decides to give power into the hands of Anna Ioannovna, the princess’s sister with whom she had a rather difficult relationship.
During Anna's reign, the prestige of the state was significantly reduced. In addition, she ruined the treasury. After her death, the throne was supposed to be taken by Ivan the Sixth, but he was very small, so after the coup, Elizabeth took possession of the throne.
Domestic policy:
· The death penalty was abolished in the state.
· Since 1741, the Senate has appeared - a government body that drew up new laws.
· The capabilities of nobles have been significantly improved.
· Elizabeth abolished customs duties.
· In 1744 – 1747, the second population census in the Russian state was carried out.
· Significant development of the country (economics, agriculture and industry) began.
· Scientific and cultural growth of the Russian state. Academies and theaters are opening.
Foreign policy:
· As a result of the success of the Russian-Swedish war, part of Finland is ceded to Russia.
· In addition, success in the war led to the desire of many countries to enter into an alliance with Russia.
· The state takes part in the War of the Austrian Succession.
· In 1756, the Seven Years' War began, during which Russia and its allies almost destroyed Prussia.
Elizabeth died in December 1761.
) -Russian empress from November 25, 1741 from the Romanov dynasty, daughter of Peter I and Catherine IPrenner Georg Gaspar Joseph von. Portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. 1754
The daughter of Peter I and the future Empress Catherine Alekseevna was born on December 18, 1709.On this day, Russian troops, winners of the Battle of Poltava, unfurled their banners and solemnly entered Moscow.
The triumphal entry of Russian troops into Moscow after the Poltava victory. Engraving by A.F. Zubov. 1710
Having received the joyful news of the birth of his daughter, Peter organized a three-day celebration in her honor. The king loved his second family very much. A powerful and stern man, his affection for loved ones sometimes took on touching forms.
Portrait of Princess Elizaveta Petrovna (1709-1761) as a child. Russian Museum, Mikhailovsky Castle.
In letters to his wife, he said hello to “four-sweetie” - this was Elizabeth’s family nickname at the time when she still crawled on all fours. In the summer of 1710, Peter sailed around the Baltic on the sailing ship “Lizetka” - that’s what he called the tiny crown princess.
Portrait of Princess Anna Petrovnaand Elizaveta Petrovna, 1717, Louis Caravaque
At the age of two, she attended her parents' wedding with her four-year-old sister Anna. Peter early began to write separately to the princesses, encouraging them in a similar way to master literacy. Elizabeth learned to read and write when she was not even eight years old. Peter I saw his daughters as instruments of diplomatic play and prepared them for dynastic marriages in order to strengthen Russia's international position.
I.N. Nikitin Portrait of Elizabeth Petrovna as a child (1709-1761) 1712-13
Therefore, he first of all paid attention to their learning of foreign languages. Elizabeth knew French perfectly and spoke German and Italian. In addition, the princesses were taught music, dancing, dressing skills, and etiquette. Since childhood, Elizabeth passionately loved dancing, and she had no equal in this art.
Tsesarevna Elizaveta Petrovna, future empress (1741-1761).Unfinished portrait. 1720s. Russian Museum
Back in 1720, her father tried to arrange Elizabeth’s marriage with the French king Louis XV, her age. But Versailles reacted with restraint to the Russian side’s proposal because of the princess’s origins: her mother was a commoner and was not married to the tsar at the time of her daughter’s birth. Elizabeth was later married to Charles Augustus of Holstein, but he died before he could become her husband.
The position of young Elizabeth at court and in the state changed dramatically in 1727. Before, life was like a fairy tale. She was surrounded by a young society, where she reigned not only by right of high birth, but also thanks to her personal merits. Quick to come up with ideas and pleasant to treat, Elizabeth was the soul of this society.
Unknown artist. Portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna
Elizaveta Petrovna (equestrian portrait of the Empress with her retinue
She received enough money from her parents to satisfy her passion for all kinds of entertainment. Everything around her was seething with fun, she was always busy: trips along the Neva and outside the city, masquerades and balls, staging plays, playing music, dancing... This continuous and reckless ecstasy of life ended when Elizabeth’s mother, Empress Catherine I, died.
Peter II of Russia and Elizaveta Petrovna
At the court of Anna Ioannovna, the crown princess was given the honors due to her. However, Elizabeth felt like a stranger in the royal family. Her relationship with her cousin, the empress, was not very warm. Anna Ioannovna assigned Elizabeth a more than modest allowance, and the princess, who previously did not know how to count money, was now constantly in need of it. It is believed that the Empress could not forget her humiliating position in Mitau, when, due to the eternal lack of funds, she very often turned to Elizabeth’s parents with pleas for help and did not always receive what she asked for. And therefore the princess had a hard time living with her.
Unknown artist.Portrait of Tsarevna Elizaveta Petrovna, 1730s
And finally, Anna Ioannovna was worried about Elizabeth’s rights to the Russian crown. The Empress saw her relative as a serious rival and was seriously afraid of a coup in her favor. Anna ordered that the crown princess be placed under surveillance.
Louis Caravaque Portrait of Empress Anna Ioannovna. 1730
To get rid of Elizabeth, they wanted to either marry her somewhere far away from St. Petersburg and to a “safe” prince, or force her to become a nun. A suitable groom was never found. And the threat of lifelong imprisonment in a monastery for Elizabeth became a nightmare, which she got rid of only after ascending to the throne. The Tsesarevna was forced to behave extremely carefully. Any thoughtlessly spoken word - by her or someone close to her - could lead to disaster. She was pointedly not interested in politics.
Ivan VIAntonovich(1740-1764), emperor in 1740-1741. Great-grandson of Ivan V Alekseevich, son of Prince Anton Ulrich of Brunswick and Mecklenburg Princess Anna Leopoldovna, niece of the Russian Empress Anna Ioannovna. By Anna Ioannovna's manifesto he was appointed heir to the throne.
And yet, Anna Ioannovna’s fears were not without foundation, if only because the daughter of Peter I was loved in the guard. She often visited the barracks of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments. Familiar guards officers and soldiers often asked Elizabeth to be the godmother of their children, and she willingly fulfilled their wishes. It was among the guards that Elizabeth found her ardent supporters, with the help of whom she seized power in the state in November 1741.
Fyodor Moskovitin Oath of the Preobrazhensky Regiment to Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.
From the first days of Elizabeth's reign under the Empressa circle of long-time adherents formed, occupying all the most important government and court positions. A passionate love for folk songs became the reason for Elizabeth’s attention to Alexei Grigorievich Razumovsky. A Ukrainian Cossack, a rare handsome man, he came to St. Petersburg thanks to his magnificent bass. He was accepted as a court singer back in 1731. Having ascended the throne, Elizaveta Petrovna granted the rootless Razumovsky the title of count and the rank of field marshal, and in 1742, as many historians claim, she secretly married him. Rumors about this marriage inevitably gave rise to legends about the supposedly existing children of Elizabeth and Razumovsky - for example, Princess Tarakanova and even about the whole Tarakanoff family.
Unknown artist Portrait of Alexei Grigorievich Razumovsky, mid-18th century
Elizaveta Petrovna
One of the empress's closest assistants was Mikhail Illarionovich Vorontsov. Vice-Chancellor from 1744, he succeeded A.P. Bestuzhev as Chancellor of the Empire in 1758.
Antropov Alexey Petrovich: Portrait of Prince M.I. Vorontsov
The Empress brought back from exile and brought closer to her the surviving princes Dolgorukov, Count P. I. Musin-Pushkin and several other Russian nobles who suffered during the reign of Anna Ioannovna. Elizabeth removed foreigners from all key positions in the state; she had no intention of expelling foreign specialists from the country, whom Russia urgently needed.
Coronation of Elizabeth Petrovna
Coronation procession of Elizabeth
The development of the foreign policy program and Russian diplomacy of the Elizabethan era are mainly associated with the name of the insightful and experienced statesman Chancellor Alexei Petrovich Bestuzhev.
Bestuzhev-Ryumin, Alexey Petrovich
On his initiative, in the spring of 1756, to consider issues of foreign policy and direct military operations during the pan-European Seven Years' War of 1756-1763. a new government body was established - the Conference at the Highest Court (a permanent meeting of senior dignitaries and generals consisting of ten people). Bestuzhev encountered problems in Russian-Swedish relations at the end of 1741, when he was appointed to the post of vice-chancellor. Sweden, having recovered from its defeat in the Northern War, hoped to take revenge and on the battlefields to reconsider the terms of the Nystadt Peace, according to which Russia had seized Swedish possessions in the Baltic states. In the summer of 1741, the Russian-Swedish war began, ending in the complete defeat of the Swedish army. In August 1743, a peace treaty was signed in Abo (Finland): the Swedish government confirmed the terms of the Peace of Nystadt concluded by Peter I.
Capture of the Kolberg fortress during the Seven Years' War,Alexander Evstafievich Kotzebue
The Seven Years' War, in which Russia, for the purpose of territorial acquisitions,took the side of France and Austria against Prussia and Great Britain; after Bestuzhev’s resignation, it was carried out under M.I. Vorontsov, his successor. At the beginning of 1758, Russian troops entered East Prussia and occupied Königsberg. In August of the following year, the Prussian army was defeated in the battle of Kunersdorf, and in September 1760, Russian troops entered Berlin, which they were then forced to leave due to inconsistency in the actions of the allies. The victories of the Russian army were decisive for the defeat of Prussia, whose armed forces were then considered the best in Europe
Battle of Kunnensdorf,Alexander Evstafievich Kotzebue
Louis CARAVACQUE. Portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna
Upon ascending the throne, Elizabeth proclaimed herself the continuator of the workand his great father. Following Peter's "principles" determined, in particular, the empress's interest in economic issues, the development of industry and trade. Encouraging noble entrepreneurship, Elizabeth ordered the establishment of the Noble Loan Bank in 1753, which issued loans to landowners secured by land. In 1754 the Merchant Bank was founded. New manufactories (industrial enterprises) were created at a rapid pace. In Yaroslavl and Serpukhov, Irkutsk and Astrakhan, Tambov and Ivanovo, on noble estates, manufactories produced cloth and silk, canvas and ropes. Distillation became widespread among landowners.
Unknown artist of the 18th century. Departure of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. // Kuskovo Estate Museum
The decision of Elizabeth's government, taken in 1753, to abolish internal customs duties, which had been levied on Russian cities and roads since ancient times, had important consequences. As a result of this reform, it was possible to put an end to the economic fragmentation of Russia. This was a bold step at that time. In France, for example, internal customs ceased to exist only during the revolution of the late 18th century, and in Germany - in the 30s. XIX century
Unknown Russian artist of the 2nd half of the 18th century. Portrait of Tsarevna Elizaveta Petrovna
Elizabeth significantly expanded the rights and liberties of the nobles. In particular, she abolished Peter I's law on minors, according to which nobles had to begin military service from a young age as soldiers. Under Elizabeth, children were enrolled in the corresponding regiments from birth. Thus, at the age of ten, these youths, without knowing the service, became sergeants, and were already 16-17-year-old captains in the regiment. During the reign of Elizaveta Petrovna, favorable conditions developed for the development of Russian culture, especially science and education.
Taras Shevchenko Empress Elizaveta Petrovna and Suvorov (engraving). 1850s
The Academy of Sciences participated in the organization of geographical expeditions to the Far East with the aim of detailed study of the northeastern borders of the Russian Empire. In the middle of the 18th century. a four-volume work by naturalist I. G. Gmelin “Flora of Siberia” appeared with a description of 1,200 plants and the first ethnographic work in Russia “Description of the Land of Kamchatka”, written by S. P. Krasheninnikov
The decree of 1744 “On the unification of schools in the provinces into one place and the education in them of all ranks of people...” facilitated access to schools for children from unprivileged sections of the population. In the 40-50s. to the first gymnasium in St. Petersburg that existed since 1726, two more were added - at Moscow University (1755) and in Kazan (1758). In 1752, the Navigation School, founded by Peter I, was reorganized into the Naval Gentry Cadet Corps, where officers of the Russian Navy were trained. January 25, 1755
University of Moscow
Elizabeth signed a decree establishing Moscow University. The spread of university education in Russia was the cherished dream of the Russian scientist and educator M. V. Lomonosov. Having won over Vice-Chancellor M.I. Vorontsov and the even more influential favorite I.I. Shuvalov to his side, Lomonosov drew up a project for opening a university in Moscow. Along with this event is the establishment in 1756 of the Russian professional theater by Fyodor Volkov and Alexander Sumarokov, and in 1758 - the Academy of Arts.
Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov in 1760, portrait by brush Fyodor Rokotov. State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg)
Architect A.F. Kokorinov, director and first rector of the Academy of Arts, 1769. Portrait of the work D. G. Levitsky
Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov
The emergence of interest in the fine arts in Russian society during the time of Elizabeth Petrovna is directly related to the empress’s own passion for them. One might say that professional theatre, opera, ballet, and choral singing emerged from the walls of her palace. Even during the difficult years of Anna Ioannovna’s reign for young Elizabeth, many performances were staged at the crown princess’s “small court.” Her courtiers and singers took part in them. The plays were "on the topic of the day." In an allegorical form, they talked about the sad fate of the half-disgraced princess and the political situation in the country.
Heinrich Buchholz Portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in pearls. 1768
Elizabeth did not lose interest in the theater even as an empress. She enjoyed the performances, even if she saw them more than once. Especially popular in Russia in the mid-18th century. there were plays by A.P. Sumarokov. Not only celebrations and holidays, but also the usual feasts of Elizabeth Petrovna were necessarily accompanied by the playing of an orchestra and the singing of court musicians. As the famous historian E.V. Anisimov writes, “in Elizabethan times, music became an integral and indispensable part” of the life of the palace and the St. Petersburg nobility." The imperial orchestra of highly professional Italian and German musicians performed works by Western European composers. Concerts were also given, originally intended for the court society , they later became public. Citizens could also attend them. At these concerts, Russian listeners became acquainted with the harp, mandolin, and guitar.
View of Anichkov Palace
Italian opera flourished at court. No expense was spared in organizing the performances. These were majestic performances with ballet numbers and recitations that made an indelible impression on the audience. Along with Italian musicians and artists, young Russian singers also took part in the performances. Their performance of difficult Italian arias delighted the audience. Russian dancers began to appear more and more often in ballet performances. This is how the foundations of Russian national opera and ballet were laid.
The time of Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1761)
The era of Elizabeth Petrovna
General assessment of the era . Starting to study the very interesting time of Elizabeth Petrovna, we will first of all make a small historical reference. The significance of Elizabeth's time has been and still is assessed differently. Elizabeth was very popular; but there were people, and very smart people, contemporaries of Elizabeth, who recalled her time and her practices with condemnation. Such are, for example, Catherine II and N.I. Panin; and in general, if you pick up old memoirs relating to this era, you will almost always find in them some mockery of the time of Elizabeth. Her activities were treated with a smile. And this view of the Elizabethan era was in great fashion; in this regard, Catherine II herself set the tone, to whom power passed shortly after Elizabeth’s death, and others echoed the enlightened empress. Thus, N.I. Panin wrote about the reign of Elizabeth: “This era deserves a special note: everything in it was sacrificed to the present time, to the desires of fitful people and to all sorts of extraneous small adventures in business.” Panin, obviously, did not remember well what happened before Elizabeth, because his description may also relate to the era of temporary workers, “epismatic people” of 1725–1741. If we want to believe Panin, then we must speak of the time of Elizabeth as a dark time and identical with previous times. Panin's point of view has passed into our historical literature. In the work of S. V. Eshevsky (“Essay on the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna”) we find, for example, the following words: “From then (from Peter the Great) until Catherine the Great herself, Russian history comes down to the history of private individuals, brave or cunning temporary workers, and history the struggle of famous parties, court intrigues and tragic disasters" (Oc., II, 366). This assessment (unfair in general) of the reign of Elizabeth does not recognize any historical significance. According to Eshevsky, the time of Elizabeth is the same time of misunderstanding of the tasks of Russia and the reform of Peter, as was the era of the temporary workers and the German regime. “The meaning of the reform begins to be revealed again only under Catherine II,” he says (Works, II, 373). This is how things stood before S. M. Solovyov. Soloviev was well furnished with documents and became well acquainted with the archives of the Elizabethan era. The enormous material he studied, together with the Complete Collection of Laws, led him to a different conviction. Soloviev, if we look for the exact word, “loved” this era and wrote about it with sympathy. He firmly remembered that Russian society revered Elizabeth, that she was a very popular empress. He considered Elizabeth’s main merit to be the overthrow of the German regime, systematic patronage of everything national and humanity: with this direction of Elizabeth’s government, many useful details entered Russian life, calmed it down and allowed it to sort out matters; National “rules and habits” brought up under Elizabeth a whole series of new figures who made the glory of Catherine II. The time of Elizabeth prepared a lot for Catherine’s brilliant activities both inside and outside Russia. Thus, the historical significance of Elizabeth’s time is determined, in Solovyov’s opinion, by its preparatory role in relation to the next era, and Elizabeth’s historical merit lies in the nationality of her direction (“Ist. Ross.”, XXIV).
Empress Elizaveta Petrovna. Portrait by V. Eriksen
There is no doubt that the latter point of view is more just than the views hostile to Elizabeth. Elizabeth's return to national politics both inside and outside Russia, due to the softness of her government's methods, made her a very popular empress in the eyes of her contemporaries and gave her reign a different historical meaning in comparison with the dark times of previous reigns. The peaceful inclinations of the government in foreign policy and the humane direction in domestic policy outlined the reign of Elizabeth with sympathetic features and influenced the morals of Russian society, preparing it for the activities of Catherine’s time.