The last of the Romanovs. The great tragedy of the little emperor. Domestic and foreign policies of the rulers of the 18th century

Key dates of life and activity 1839 Born in the city of Richford in the USA 1855 Got a job at Hewitt & Tuttle 1858 Together with Maurice Clark, founded the Clark & ​​Rockefeller company 1864 Married Laura Spellman 1870 Founded the Standard Oil company 1874 Only born son and

Main dates of life and activities 1848 Born in Paris, where his family lived in exile 1858 Return with his family to Italy, to Turin 1870 Graduated from the Turin School of Engineering and Technology and went to work for a railway company in Florence 1874 Moved to

MAIN DATES IN THE LIFE AND ACTIVITY OF PETER ALEXEEV 1849 - January 14 (26) - Pyotr Alekseev was born in the village of Novinskaya, Sychevsky district, Smolensk province, in the family of peasant Alexei Ignatovich. 1858 - nine-year-old Pyotr Alekseev's parents sent him to Moscow, to a factory1872

The son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich from his 2nd marriage to Princess Sophia-Charlotte of Blankenburg, who died 10 days after his birth.

Pyotr Alekseevich was born on October 12 (23), 1715. At the age of 3 he lost his father. Peter I did not like his grandson and neglected his upbringing.

As if mocking his father’s desire to have European-educated heirs, Tsarevich Alexei assigned 2 illiterate, drunken “mothers” from the German settlement to his unloved son Peter, who constantly gave him wine so that he would fall asleep and not disturb them. But after Alexei’s death, the sovereign grandfather came to check on his grandson’s progress and fell into a rage - the boy did not know how to speak correctly in his native language, but he knew Tatar curses well.

During the illness of Peter I, the young nobleman Prince Ivan Dolgorukov often visited his grandson Petrusha, who took him to his place for a long time, where the capital’s youth gathered. A court party began to form around the scion of the royal family, prophesying the throne for him. It was as if by chance that Pyotr Alekseevich was explained his legal rights to the Russian throne. He selflessly fell in love with his charming and cheerful aunt Elizaveta Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great, while still a boy.

After the death in 1719 of Pyotr Petrovich, the emperor's son from Catherine I, Pyotr Alekseevich began to be considered by Russian society as the only legitimate heir to the imperial crown. Peter I, however, issued a decree in 1722 on his right to appoint his successor, thereby violating the established order of succession to the throne. After the death of Peter I, the all-powerful A.D. Menshikov ensured that Catherine I was proclaimed empress; the attempt of the old aristocracy (Dolgoruky, Golitsyn, G.I. Golovkin, A.I. Repnin) to place 10-year-old Peter on the throne failed. But the empress still brought Peter closer to her and throughout her reign showed him signs of attention.

Anticipating the imminent death of Catherine I and not wanting the throne to pass to her daughters, and also taking into account Peter’s popularity among the people and among the nobility, A.D. Menshikov decided to support the candidacy of the prince, planning to marry him to his eldest daughter Maria. His Serene Highness, preparing to become regent for the young emperor until he came of age, convinced the dying empress to sign a will in favor of Peter.

Peter II ascended the throne on May 7 (18), 1727 after the sudden death of Catherine I. Soon he issued 2 highest manifestos, carefully thought out by Menshikov. According to the 1st, all old debts were written off from the serfs, and those sent to hard labor for non-payment of the poll tax were given freedom. According to the 2nd manifesto, princes Dolgorukov and Trubetskoy, secret enemies of Menshikov, who presided over the Supreme Privy Council, were awarded field marshal's batons, and Burchard Minich, in addition to the rank of field marshal, was awarded the title of count. So His Serene Highness Prince Menshikov tried to appease his opponents. The young sovereign Peter announced that he was elevating Menshikov himself to the rank of generalissimo and appointing him commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Russian Empire.

At first, Pyotr Alekseevich was completely under the influence of A.D. Menshikov, who moved him to his house and on May 24 (June 4), 1727, engaged him to his daughter; According to her father's wishes, she received the title Her Imperial Highness.

Andrei Ivanovich Osterman, strict but smart, was appointed as the young man’s teacher. They spent a lot of time in fascinating conversations about the achievements of Peter the Great and his faithful companions. A.I. Osterman was helped by A.G. Dolgoruky, Academician Goldbach and Feofan Prokopovich.

Palace life quickly taught the Tsarevich hypocrisy. Outwardly, everything looked fine in the relationship with Menshikov and his daughter, but in his soul Peter hated Maria, who was far from brilliant in her intelligence.

After his daughter’s engagement, Menshikov fell ill: signs of tuberculosis were discovered. During the few weeks of his absence, the young monarch’s attitude towards Alexander Danilovich Menshikov changed dramatically, because secret interrogation protocols of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, sentenced to death, and signed by members of the Secret Court Menshikov, Tolstoy and Yaguzhinsky were brought to light..

A stormy explanation took place between them. In July 1727, a strong court opposition formed against him (A.I. Osterman, Dolgoruky and Tsarevna Elizaveta Petrovna), which achieved his fall in early September. On September 8 (19), 1727, Peter II announced the beginning of his independent reign and the breaking of his engagement with Maria Menshikova.

Tsar Peter Alekseevich moved to Peterhof, and in September 1727, on his order, Menshikov was placed under house arrest. Soon a decree was promulgated depriving Menshikov of all ranks, positions, orders and exiling him and his family to Rannenburg, Ryazan province, with restrictions on the right of correspondence.

Having been married into the kingdom on February 24, 1728, Peter II Alekseevich dealt the final blow to Menshikov: he was sent to a lifelong settlement under supervision in the distant Siberian city of Berezov.

After the disgrace of A.D. Menshikov, the courtyard became an arena of struggle for influence over the young Peter II Alekseevich between A.I. Osterman, Golitsyn and Dolgoruky. A.I. Osterman was supported by Natalya Alekseevna, the emperor’s sister, Golitsyn was sympathized with his aunt Elizaveta Petrovna, for whom the tsar had tender feelings, and the Dolgorukys took advantage of Pyotr Alekseevich’s friendly affection for the young Ivan Dolgoruky.

At the beginning of 1728, the court moved to Moscow, and on February 24 (March 7), 1728, the coronation of the 13-year-old emperor took place.

The emperor was not involved in state affairs, devoting all his time to entertainment, especially hunting with dogs and falcons, baiting bears and fist fights. Attempts by A.I. Osterman to convince Pyotr Alekseevich to continue his education were unsuccessful.

Having become close to Princess Ekaterina Alekseevna Dolgorukova, who was ready to do anything if only the emperor would put a wedding ring on her finger, Peter left state affairs to Osterman. Indulging in all the desires of Peter II, the Dolgorukys by the beginning of 1729 acquired unlimited power over him, pushing aside all their rivals; but control over current state affairs remained in the hands of A.I. Osterman.

The peak of the Dolgorukys' success was their engagement Peter II Alekseevich with the daughter of A.G. Dolgoruky Ekaterina November 30 (December 11), 1729; The wedding ceremony was scheduled for January 19 (30), 1730.

The depressed state of mind of Emperor Peter Alekseevich, who was tormented by his conscience for the fate of Menshikov and Elizabeth, worsened after his secret meeting with Osterman. The emperor learned about specific facts of bribery and embezzlement of new relatives. He only said goodbye to Osterman: “I will soon find a way to break my chains.”

At this time, the international position of the Russian Empire was extremely difficult. Sweden and the Ottoman Empire openly demonstrated their readiness to declare war, and the previously invincible Russian fleet, for the maintenance of which there was now no money allocated, rotted on the banks of the Neva. Much of what was created in the Petrine era (and above all the armed forces) fell into decay, was upset, and was lost during Peter II Alekseevich.

The main feature of governance under Peter II was the increased political role of the Supreme Privy Council, which after the fall of A.D. Menshikov consisted of 5 members (chancellor G.I. Golovkin, vice-chancellor A.I. Osterman, A.G. and V.L. .Dolgoruky and D.M.Golitsyn); The powers of the abolished Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty (1727) and the Preobrazhensky Order (1729) were transferred to him. In the field of local government, the main trend was the expansion of the functions of governors and voivodes at the expense of city magistrates (the Chief Magistrate was abolished in 1727). In domestic policy, the tax system was somewhat streamlined, the status of Little Russia within the Russian Empire was raised, the right to convene their own Sejm was returned to the Livonian nobility, and the clergy were prohibited from wearing secular clothing.

On January 6 (17), 1730, on the day of the appointed wedding, the emperor showed signs of smallpox and on the night of January 19 (30), 1730, Peter died in the Lefortovo Palace.

Ivan Dolgorukov wanted to forge the handwriting of Emperor Peter on the will, since at one time he entertained Peter by copying his handwriting. The Emperor's Fabricated Last Will Peter II Alekseevich” provided for the transfer of power to his bride, Ekaterina Dolgorukaya. But the signature was not certified, since Osterman did not give the Dolgorukovs a single chance to be alone with the emperor.

The Dolgorukys' attempt ended in disaster for them. Ivan Dolgorukov, who tried to shout out Ekaterina Dolgorukaya to the kingdom, was arrested, and Ekaterina was later sent into lifelong exile.

The extravagant and tragic reign of the grandson of Peter I ended. After his death, there were no direct male descendants of the Romanov dynasty.

Emperor Peter II lived a short and rebellious life. From birth, entangled in a network of palace intrigues, he had virtually no influence on the fate of the country and at the age of fourteen he died of smallpox.

A web of intrigue from birth

Deprived of parental affection, Pyotr Alekseevich grew like grass in a meadow: they taught him “something and somehow” and practically did not educate him. In the meantime, Peter I died, the throne was taken by his widow, Empress Catherine I, and real power was in the hands of His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Menshikov. The cunning schemer watched with alarm as the health and strength of Catherine I melted away, plunging into a crazy whirlwind of pleasures and entertainment. He needed to take care of the future. And Menshikov begins to court the heir to the throne - young Pyotr Alekseevich. The child, yearning for affection, reached out to the “blessed one”; he even began to call “father” the man who signed the death warrant for his real father! Meanwhile, the “father” hastened to betroth the “little prince” to his daughter Maria. With the help of this “rose” Menshikov hoped to strengthen his influence on Peter.

A little prince

Catherine I dies, and an 11-year-old boy becomes emperor. “He is one of the finest princes you can meet; he has extreme good looks and extraordinary liveliness,” the French diplomat Lavi writes about Peter. The young sovereign promised to imitate the Roman Emperor Titus, who tried to act in such a way that no one left him with a sad face. Unfortunately, Peter did not keep this promise...

Osterman

Menshikov was in a hurry to “strike while the iron is hot”: he transported the crowned youth to his own home, and the sovereign’s bride Maria received the title of imperial highness. “His Serene Highness” sent some ill-wishers into exile, and bribed others with high positions.

The young sovereign, who completely trusted the “father,” resignedly signed any decree he drew up. But Menshikov made a big mistake with the Tsar’s tutor. He assigned to Peter the crafty German Osterman, who pretended to be a devoted supporter of the “most luminous.” In fact, Osterman hated the all-powerful temporary worker and, together with the princely Dolgoruky clan, prepared his downfall. The cunning German was a good psychologist. Osterman's lessons fascinated Peter so much that the boy, as soon as he woke up early in the morning, almost ran to class. And the teacher gradually turned the young tsar against Menshikov.

Imperial Wrath

One day, his subjects presented the sovereign with a hefty sum. Peter ordered to send money to his lady love - Elizabeth. Having learned about this, Menshikov intercepted the messenger and unceremoniously pocketed the royal gift. Peter was furious, he called the prince “on the carpet” and gave a formal dressing down. “I’ll show you which of us is the emperor!” raged the young tsar, in whom the violent temper of his grandfather, Peter the Great, leapt up. The stunned Menshikov had to return the money to Elizabeth.

Changing favorite

In September, the prince organized a magnificent celebration at his estate. Peter promised to be there, but didn’t come. And then the annoyed Menshikov made a fatal mistake: during the service in the chapel, he demonstratively stood in the royal place. The prince’s “well-wishers,” of course, reported to Peter. This outburst put an end to Menshikov’s dizzying career: the “semi-sovereign ruler” was arrested and exiled with his family to Berezov. The tsar’s new favorite was Ivan Dolgoruky, a spendthrift and reveler known throughout St. Petersburg.

With the fall of Menshikov, Peter felt completely independent. He stopped studying and abandoned government affairs. According to the memoirs of a contemporary, “the only thing the emperor does is roam the streets all day and night with Princess Elizabeth, visiting chamberlain Ivan Dolgoruky, pages, cooks and God knows who else.” Dolgoruky accustomed the young sovereign to revelry and debauchery, distracting him from any serious activities.

Peter's character also changed for the worse: the “little prince” became hot-tempered, capricious and irritable. Most of all, he fell in love with hunting, with a magnificent retinue he went into the forests and chased prey for weeks. And the state was “ruled” by the Dolgoruky clan, and under their “sensitive leadership” things in the country went worse and worse.

At the end of 1729, the presumptuous princes, in the words of the Spanish diplomat de Liria, “opened the second volume of Menshikov’s stupidity.” Repeating the mistake of the “most illustrious”, they decided to present Peter with their own “rose” - to marry Ekaterina Dolgoruky. Prince Ivan convinced Peter to announce the upcoming marriage. The Tsar reluctantly gave in to his favorite, but the courtiers noticed that at the betrothal ball Peter looked displeased and paid almost no attention to the bride.

Hateful life

In December 1729, the Tsar became seriously ill, Elizabeth came to visit her nephew. The 14-year-old boy was sad and said that he was fed up with life and would soon die. The words turned out to be prophetic: on January 19, 1730, Peter II died of smallpox.

In Saint-Exupéry's fairy tale, the Little Prince finds himself on a planet full of wonderful roses. But their beauty seems cold and empty to him. “You are not at all like my rose,” he told them. - You are nothing yet. No one has tamed you, and you have not tamed anyone.” The prince from the fairy tale was lucky - he had a Rose. But the Russian “little prince” never found his Rose among the many bright and lush flowers.

Peter II reigned for a total of only 5 years. However, during this time they were able to destroy many of the institutions that their great predecessor had created with great difficulty. It is not for nothing that before his death he was unable to choose a worthy heir to whom he could give the throne with a pure heart.

The reign of the grandson of the first Russian emperor was especially mediocre.

Parents

The future Emperor Peter II is the last representative of the Romanov family in the direct male line. His parents were the prince and the German princess Charlotte of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. His father was an unloved child who was constantly bullied by his great father. Alexei's marriage was dynastic and he married on the orders of Peter I. Princess Charlotte was also not delighted with the prospect of going to “Muscovy” as the wife of a strange, awkward young man who did not pay attention to her.

Be that as it may, the wedding took place in 1711. The marriage lasted only four years, ending with the death of his wife after the birth of a boy, named Peter in honor of his grandfather.

Biography: childhood

At the time of his birth (October 12, 1715), the future Emperor Peter II was the third contender for the Russian throne. However, this situation did not last very long. The fact is that a few days later his uncle was born. The baby was also named Peter, contrary to all customs, and in February 1718 he was declared heir, bypassing his brother Alexei. Thus, the childhood of the emperor's grandson was joyless and orphaned, since he had no mother, and his father, who initially did not show much interest in him, was executed. Even after the death of Pyotr Petrovich, he was not brought closer to the court, since his grandfather, who decided to examine the prince, discovered his complete ignorance.

Question of succession to the throne

According to all dynastic laws, after the death of Peter I, his only male heir should have taken the throne. However, many representatives of the great boyar families, who signed the death warrant for Tsarevich Alexei or were related to her, rightly feared for their lives in the event of his son’s accession to the throne.

Thus, two parties were formed at court: those supporting the young Peter and those consisting of his opponents. The latter received the strongest support of the emperor, who signed a decree abolishing previous laws, which allowed the appointment as heir of anyone whom the monarch considered worthy to take the throne. Since Peter the Great did not have time to do this during his lifetime, his closest ally, Menshikov, managed to place Empress Catherine on the throne. However, the all-powerful prince understood that she would not rule for long, and he had the idea of ​​marrying the only male Romanov to his daughter Maria. Thus, over time, he could become the grandfather of the heir to the throne and rule the country at his own discretion.

To do this, he even upset the engagement of Maria Menshikova and achieved recognition of the proposed son-in-law as heir to the throne.

Accession to the throne

Catherine I died on May 6, 1727. When the will was read out, it turned out that she not only appointed her husband’s grandson as heir, but also ordered everyone to facilitate the conclusion of a marriage between him and the daughter of Alexander Menshikov. The empress's last will was carried out, however, since Peter II had not reached marriageable age, they limited themselves to announcing the engagement. At the same time, the country began to be ruled by the Supreme Council, which was manipulated by the Most Serene Prince, who was going to eventually become the emperor’s father-in-law.

Peter II: reign

The teenage emperor, due to his age and abilities, was unable to rule on his own. As a result, power was at first almost entirely in the hands of his supposed father-in-law. As under Catherine I, the country was governed by inertia. Although many courtiers tried to follow the behests of Peter I, the political system he created could not operate effectively without his presence.

Nevertheless, Menshikov tried in every possible way to increase the popularity of the young tsar among the people. To do this, he drew up two manifestos on his behalf. According to the first of them, those exiled to hard labor for non-payment of taxes were pardoned, and long-standing debts to the treasury were canceled for the serfs. In addition, penalties have been significantly reduced. For example, it was forbidden to display the bodies of executed people on public display.

In the sphere of foreign trade, the need for radical reform has also long been overdue. Peter II, or rather Alexander Menshikov, who ruled for him, reduced the duty on hemp and yarn sold abroad in order to thus increase treasury revenues, and the Siberian fur trade was generally exempt from paying the state a percentage of income.

Another concern of Menshikov was to prevent palace intrigues with the aim of overthrowing his power. To do this, he tried as best he could to please his long-time associates. In particular, on behalf of the emperor, he awarded the rank of field marshal to princes Dolgorukov and Trubetskoy, as well as Burchard Minich. Menshikov granted himself the titles of Commander-in-Chief and Generalissimo of the Russian Army.

Change of power

With age, the young emperor began to cool towards the Menshikovs. In this matter, Osterman played an important role, who was his teacher and tried in every possible way to snatch his student from the clutches of His Serene Highness. He was helped by someone who wanted to marry Peter II to his sister Princess Catherine.

When Menshikov fell ill in the summer of 1727, his opponents showed the young emperor materials from the investigation. From them, he learned about the role of his bride's father in the matter of the conviction and execution of the son of Peter I.

When Menshikov returned to work, it turned out that his future son-in-law had left his palace and was now discussing all issues only with Osterman and the Dolgorukys.

Soon he was accused of embezzlement and treason and exiled with his family to the Tobolsk region.

Peter II himself moved to Moscow and announced his engagement to Catherine Dolgoruka. Now he indulged in entertainment, and the state was ruled by the relatives of his bride.

Death

On January 6, 1730, after the illumination of water on the Moscow River, Peter II attended a military parade and caught a severe cold. Upon arriving home, it turned out that he had smallpox. According to witnesses, in his delirium he was eager to go to his sister Natalya, who had died several years earlier. The emperor died 12 days later and became the last Russian ruler to be buried in the Kremlin Archangel Cathedral.

Personality of Peter II

According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the teenage emperor was not distinguished by either intelligence or hard work. He was also poorly educated, which is not surprising considering that he never had proper adult supervision. His whims and bad manners often caused bewilderment among ambassadors and foreigners who came to Russia and were introduced to the court. Even if he had been able to live to adulthood, it is unlikely that his reign would have been successful for the country.

The death of Catherine the First again raised the question of succession to the throne in the country. This time, there were only three applicants. These are the daughters of Peter the Great, Anna and Elizabeth, as well as the grandson of Peter the Great, Peter 2. Anna was not considered as a contender for the throne, since she was married to Duke Karl Friedrich. According to the terms of the marriage contract, Anna not only renounced the Russian throne, but also her children did not have the right to claim it. Choosing between Peter and Elizabeth, the choice fell in favor of a representative of the Romanov family in the male line. Emperor Peter 2 began to rule the country.

Even during Catherine’s lifetime, Menshikov, seeing the complexity of the situation in the country, decided to do everything possible to marry his daughter Maria to Peter 2. This could allow Menshikov to virtually completely concentrate power in his own hands. Catherine the Great, who was extremely dependent on Menshikov, gave her consent to this marriage. The Supreme Council, led by Menshikov, took custody of the young heir to the throne. It would seem that Menshikov concentrated all the levers of control in his hands, but the death of Catherine and the beginning of the reign of Peter 2 confused all his cards.

Having come to power, Emperor Peter 2 first of all returned his grandmother Evdokia Lopukhina from the monastery, who was tonsured a nun forcibly, with the direct participation of Menshikov. The arrival of Evdokia strengthened her influence on young Peter. Menshikov's position began to weaken. The advantage passed to the Lopukhin, Dolgoruky and Golitsyn families. Menshikov was virtually removed from the emperor, seeing him extremely rarely. Realizing that his days at the imperial throne are numbered, Menshikov submits his resignation. The calculation was that the young Emperor Peter 2 would ask Menshikov to stay and again elevate him to the rank of favorite. Instead, Peter, under the influence of the Dolgorukys, issues a decree appointing a commission to audit Menshikov’s finances. Violations were found. Menshikov was stripped of all his property and sent into exile along with his family. The marriage to Maria Menshikova was canceled.

The Dolgorukys, taking advantage of the advantageous moment, betrothed their daughter Catherine to the emperor. Before the wedding, the young emperor was encouraged to spend more time hunting, the true occupation of a nobleman. As a result, Emperor Peter 2 actually ceased to rule the country, and all power passed into the hands of the Dolgorukys. In 1730, a wedding was supposed to take place between Peter and Catherine, but while hunting, Peter contracted smallpox and died in his youth. With his death, the male line of the Romanov family ended.