The era of palace coups 1725-1762.- Tridtsatisemiletny phase of political instability that began after the death of Peter I. The court aristocracy formed groups actively interfered in the country's politics.The question of succession, the struggle for power, the implementation of coups was the main activities of these groups.He pushed the palace to know these actions published in 1722, February 5, the Charter of the succession.This position cancels the effect of the order of succession (conciliar election and will), replacing them with a personal appointment at the discretion of the reigning sovereign.However, Peter I did not use this Charter.In 1725, January 28, the emperor died without appointing a successor.As a result, immediately after his death, members of the ruling circles of the struggle for power.
in the regular army created by Peter I, was part of the privileged - and the Guards Semenov regiment.Later they were joined by the Horse Guards and Izmailovsky regiments.That's Guard became the decisive force in a palace coup - whose side took a privileged part of the army, that noble group and won.Guard, in turn, represents an nobility - is almost entirely formed from it and, therefore, to represent its interests.
heir Peter I (the male line) was his grandson Peter A..However, he aspired to the throne of the governor's wife - Catherine.At Peter I had two daughters, and is the successor - a minor at the time, Elizabeth and Anna.The first coup d'etat was carried out in favor of Menshikov Catherine I. He himself became the Empress all-powerful favorite.
era of palace revolutions in Russia was characterized by a rapid succession of the ruler.During this period, upon the throne had six.
The epoch of palace revolutions enthroned wife of Peter III, Catherine II.Himself Peter III was overthrown quickly enough.This ruler has completely lost its credibility after the Seven Years' War, which resulted in the peace treaty was signed, where the emperor renounced all conquests and acquisitions in the battle.
The era of palace coups took place due to various reasons.
to the fore the contradictions between the various noble factions on the issue of Peter's legacy.It should be noted that all of them have sought to soften the rate of change in the state - to give breathing space to themselves and to society.However, attempts to defend uzkososlovnye exceptional privileges and interests have created favorable conditions for waging political struggle.
Thus, by and large, the confrontation between the groups were reduced, as a rule, to the support and promotion of a particular candidate.In addition, great importance was the active position of the Noble Guard.This privileged class has assumed, among other things, the right to monitor compliance with the policy and the person of the emperor the legacy of Peter I.
The era of palace coups took place without the participation of the masses.The population at that time was quite far away from politics.
The era of palace coups did not lead to changes in the political and social sphere.Noble factions struggled for power, pursuing only its own interests.However, at the same time, each of the six governors, the former on the throne, held a special policy, sometimes even useful to the country.
before the ascent to the throne of Catherine II in the country as a whole, economic and social situation was stable, in fact, been some foreign policy successes, creates the prerequisites for a more rapid development of the state, new achievements in foreign policy.
