Origin and upbringing

Charlotte Christina of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (?)

Grand Duke Peter Alekseevich, born on October 12, 1715 in St. Petersburg, was the son of the heir to the throne Alexei, executed in 1718, and his wife Sophia-Charlotte of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, who died ten days after giving birth. The future heir to the throne, like his one year older sister Natalia, was not the fruit of love and family happiness. The marriage of Alexei and Charlotte was the result of diplomatic negotiations between Peter I, the Polish king Augustus II and the Austrian emperor Charles VI, and each of them wanted to benefit from the family union of the Romanov dynasty and the ancient German family of Welf, connected by many family ties with the royal families that then ruled in Europe houses. Naturally, no one was interested in the feelings of the bride and groom. , as, incidentally, this almost always happened with dynastic marriages.

Crown Princess Charlotte hoped that her marriage to the “barbaric Muscovite” would not take place. In a letter to her grandfather, Duke Anton-Ulrich, in mid-1709, she reported that his message made her happy, since “it gives me some opportunity to think that Moscow matchmaking may yet blow my mind.” But the princess’s hopes were not justified: the wedding took place in Torgau in October 1711 and amazed everyone with the splendor of the table and the nobility of the guests.

Due to Alexei Petrovich’s hostile attitude to his father’s reforms, the prince, as if mocking his desire to have European-educated heirs, assigned two always drunk “mothers” from the German settlement to his son, who, in order to bother with Peter less, served him wine, which made him fall asleep.

After the execution of Alexei in 1718, Peter I turned his attention to his only grandson. He ordered the careless mothers to be driven away, and Menshikov ordered him to find teachers for him. Soon, the clerk Semyon Marvin and the Carpathian Rusyn from Hungary Zeykan I.A. were assigned to the Grand Duke. After some time, Peter I checked his grandson’s knowledge and became furious: he could not speak Russian, knew a little German and Latin and was much better - Tatar curses. The Emperor personally beat Marvin and Zeikan, but Pyotr Alekseevich never received more worthy mentors.

Removal from the throne

In the first four years of Peter's life, he was not considered as a future emperor, since Peter I had sons Peter and Paul growing up. Both died in early childhood, which created the question of succession to the throne.

From birth, Pyotr Alekseevich was called Grand Duke. Before this, the sons of kings were called princes; The birth of Peter was the first appearance of a grandson by a reigning sovereign since the introduction of the royal title (and the first in the history of the House of Romanov).

In February 1718, Alexei Petrovich, arrested abroad and brought to Russia, renounced succession to the throne in favor of Peter I's young son from his second marriage to Catherine - Pyotr Petrovich, who was born a few days after his nephew Pyotr Alekseevich. In the summer of the same year, Tsarevich Alexei died in custody. Thus, Pyotr Alekseevich, following his father, was removed from the throne.

The nobility became interested in Pyotr Alekseevich in 1719, after the officially recognized heir, three-year-old Pyotr Petrovich, died, and the royal grandson remained the only male representative of the Romanov house, besides the sovereign. The passage of the throne from grandfather to grandson was in keeping with the tradition of monarchical houses; Thus, shortly before this in France, after the death of Louis XIV in 1715, the throne passed to his young great-grandson Louis XV. During his grandfather's illness, Pyotr Alekseevich met Ivan Dolgorukov, his future favorite. The child often visited the Dolgorukovs’ house, where the capital’s youth from ancient noble families gathered. There he met his aunt, Elizaveta Petrovna. This is how the party began to take shape, destined for Pyotr Alekseevich to become emperor. At meetings in the Dolgorukovs’ house, his rights to the throne of the Russian Empire were explained to him, and Pyotr Alekseevich vowed to crush his grandfather’s favorite, Menshikov, who led the opposition to the ancient boyar families.

However, supporters of the elevation of Peter Alekseevich to the throne had strong opposition. Quite definite fears for their lives and property arose among those comrades of Peter who signed the death warrant for his father. If the emperor had followed the custom and declared his grandson as heir - the son of the disgraced Alexei and the grandson of the conservative Evdokia Lopukhina - then this would have aroused the hopes of opponents of the reforms to return the old order.

Youth (1725-1727)

Peter II in the late 1720s

Under Catherine I

After the death of Peter I, the question of an heir began to be decided. Representatives of the old family nobility (Lopukhins, Dolgorukovs) advocated the candidacy of 9-year-old Peter Alekseevich, while representatives of the new service nobility, who became influential under Peter I, spoke in favor of declaring Peter’s widow Catherine as empress. The issue was resolved simply - Prince Menshikov surrounded the palace with guards and elevated his former mistress Catherine to the throne.

Over time, Catherine’s main supporter, Menshikov, knowing about her poor health and assuming her imminent death, began to think about how to win Peter over to his side. He hoped to betroth his daughter Mary to the heir to the throne, and after his accession to the throne, to become regent until he came of age and thereby expand his already strong power, and in the long term - to become the grandfather of the future emperor if Peter and Mary had children. Despite the fact that Maria was betrothed to the Polish tycoon Pyotr Sapega, Menshikov managed to obtain Catherine’s consent to her daughter’s marriage to Pyotr Alekseevich. Sapieha was married to Sofia Karlovna Skavronskaya, the niece of the Empress.

Menshikov's opponents wanted to avoid the enthronement of Peter, as this would strengthen Menshikov's power. They hoped, under the pretext of training, to send Pyotr Alekseevich abroad, and after the death of Catherine, to place one of her daughters, Anna or Elizabeth, on the throne. Anna Petrovna's husband, the Holstein Duke Karl-Friedrich, also joined this party. The plans of the conspirators were thwarted by the suddenly worsening illness of the empress.

Accession to the throne

Shortly before the death of the Empress, members of the Supreme Privy Council, the Senate, the Synod, the presidents of the colleges and the staff officers of the guard gathered in the palace for a meeting about who should become emperor after the death of Catherine. Menshikov's enemies began to discuss the idea of ​​coronating one of the crown princesses, but the majority spoke in favor of Pyotr Alekseevich, who was supposed to be under the tutelage of the Supreme Privy Council until he was 16 years old and pledged by oath not to take revenge on any of those who signed the death warrant against his father, Alexei Petrovich.

After resolving the issue of succession to the throne, Menshikov, on behalf of the Empress, began an investigation into the machinations of his enemies. Many of Menshikov's opponents were arrested and tortured, exiled and deprived of their ranks, some were only demoted in rank. The Duke of Holstein tried to come to an agreement with Menshikov through his minister Bassevich. Menshikov set the condition that the daughters of Peter I, Anna and Elizabeth, would not interfere with Peter Alekseevich’s accession to the throne, and Menshikov agreed to give each crown princess a million rubles.

Catherine's will

From this document it follows that the articles of the will provided for guardianship of the minor emperor, determined the power of the Supreme Council, the order of inheritance of the throne in the event of the death of Peter Alekseevich (in this case, the throne passed to Catherine’s daughters - Anna and Elizabeth and their descendants, in case they did not renounce the Russian throne or the Orthodox faith, and then to Peter’s sister, Natalya Alekseevna). Article 11 amazed those who read the will. It commanded all nobles to promote the betrothal of Pyotr Alekseevich to one of the daughters of Prince Menshikov, and then, upon reaching adulthood, to promote their marriage. Literally: " In the same way, our crown princes and the government administration are trying to arrange a marriage between his love [Grand Duke Peter] and one princess of Prince Menshikov».

Such an article clearly indicated that Menshikov took an active part in drawing up the will, however, for Russian society, Pyotr Alekseevich’s right to the throne - the main article of the will - was indisputable, and there was no unrest due to the content of the 11th article.

Reign

Portrait of Peter II.
Hood. I. Wedekind, 1730

General overview of the board

Peter II was not able to rule independently, as a result of which practically unlimited power was first in the hands of Menshikov, and then in Osterman and Dolgorukiy. As under his predecessor, the state was governed by inertia. The courtiers tried to follow the behests of Peter the Great, but the conservation of the political system he created revealed all the shortcomings inherent in it.

The time of Menshikov's regency was not much different from the reign of Catherine I, since the actual ruler of the country remained the same, only gaining greater power. After his fall, the Dolgorukovs came to power, and the situation changed radically. Some historians are inclined to consider the last years of the reign of Peter II as a “boyar kingdom”: much of what appeared under Peter I fell into decay, and the old order began to be restored. The boyar aristocracy was strengthened, and the “chicks of Petrov’s nest” faded into the background. There were attempts by the clergy to restore the patriarchate. The army and especially the navy fell into decay, corruption and embezzlement flourished. The capital was moved from Saint Petersburg to Moscow.

The result of the reign of Peter II was the strengthening of the influence of the Supreme Privy Council, which included mainly old boyars (of the eight seats on the council, five belonged to the Dolgorukovs and Golitsyns). The council became so strong that it forced Anna Ioannovna, who became ruler after Peter, to sign the “Conditions”, which transferred full power to the Supreme Privy Council. In 1730, the “Conditions” were destroyed by Anna Ioannovna, and the boyar families again lost strength.

Peter II under Menshikov (1727)

Menshikov led the fight against all those whom he considered dangerous in terms of succession to the throne. The daughter of Peter I, Anna Petrovna, was forced to leave Russia with her husband. Anna Ioanovna, daughter of Tsar John (Peter I's elder brother and co-ruler until 1696), was forbidden to come from Mitava to congratulate her nephew on his accession to the throne. Baron Shafirov, president of the Commerce Collegium, Menshikov’s longtime enemy, was sent to Arkhangelsk, allegedly “to set up a whaling company.”

Trying to strengthen his influence on the emperor, Menshikov moved him on May 17 to his home on Vasilyevsky Island. On May 25, 11-year-old Peter II became engaged to 16-year-old Princess Maria, daughter of Menshikov. She received the title “Her Imperial Highness” and an annual allowance of 34 thousand rubles. Although Peter was kind to her and her father, in his letters of that time he called her a “porcelain doll.”

It is unlikely that Menshikov had anything to do with the emperor’s initiative to call his grandmother, Evdokia Lopukhina, whom he had never seen before, from Suzdal captivity. She was moved to the Novodevichy Convent, where she received decent maintenance.

Domestic policy

Soon after the accession of Peter II to the throne, Menshikov compiled two manifestos on his behalf, designed to turn the population in his favor. The first of these decrees forgiven serfs long-standing arrears, and those exiled to hard labor for non-payment of taxes were granted freedom. This initiative was continued. Under Peter, the code of punishments was softened in Russia - a process that would reach its climax under Elizabeth. In particular, by imperial decree it was henceforth prohibited “for the sake of intimidation” to put on display the dismembered bodies of those executed.

The so-called “turning tax” was also abolished - that is, a tax on each arriving cart. The explanation for this was “the government’s concern for protecting its subjects from insults caused by the collectors,” however, the amount usually received in this way for the year was distributed in the form of an indirect tax to the imperial taverns.

Along with the forgiveness of old arrears, which, apparently, were impossible to collect anyway, the Menshikov government made efforts leading to tightening control over tax collections. So, after a failed attempt to appoint zemstvo commissars from local residents to collect taxes (in the hope that they would be better aware of the situation on the ground), it was decided to oblige local governors to send messengers directly to local estates, and to demand arrears from landowners, their clerks or managers.

Andrey Osterman

Raising an Emperor

Osterman drew up a plan for Peter's education, consisting of ancient and modern history, geography, mathematics and geometry:

Read history and briefly the most important cases of previous times, changes, growth and decline of different states, the reasons for this, and especially the virtues of the ancient rulers with the subsequent benefit and glory. And in this way, in the space of six months, you can go through the Assyrian, Persian, Greek and Roman monarchies to the most modern times, and you can also use the author of the first part of historical affairs Yagan Gibner, and for searching - the so-called Bilderzaal... New history can be interpreted in it according to the drive the city of Pufendorf, to present a new act of everyone, and especially of the border states, and in other respects, to gradually present information about the ruling family of each state, interest, form of government, strength and weakness... Geography partly according to the globe, partly according to land maps, to show, and to that use the short description of Gibnerovo... Mathematical operations, arithmetic, geometry and other mathematical parts and arts from mechanics, optics, etc. Andrey Osterman, training plan of Peter II

The training plan also included entertainment: billiards, hunting, etc. At the direction of Osterman, a “curious” handwritten newspaper was compiled for the Emperor based on materials from the European press. In addition to the training plan drawn up by Osterman, a note written personally by Peter II has also been preserved:

According to Osterman's plan, Peter was supposed to visit the Supreme Privy Council on Wednesdays and Fridays. However, he appeared there only once, on June 21, 1727. More is unknown about Peter's visits to the highest government body under Menshikov.

The young emperor did not like to study, preferring fun games and hunting, where he was accompanied by the young prince Ivan Dolgorukov and the 17-year-old daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth. Menshikov also did not come to meetings of the Council; papers were delivered to his house. By ruling as an autocratic ruler, the “semi-sovereign ruler” turned the rest of the nobility, as well as the sovereign himself, against himself.

In 1727, on the territory of the Menshikov estate, on the site where the house of the butler prince had previously been located, the construction of the palace of Peter II began. The butler's house was included in this palace as the southeastern wing. After the death of Peter II in 1730, construction was stopped. By this time, only the foundation and lower floor of the palace had been built. The building was completed in -1761 as part of the Stable Yard of the Land Noble Corps.

The Fall of Menshikov

Gradually, the emperor began to cool towards Menshikov and his daughter. There were several reasons for this: on the one hand, the arrogance of Menshikov himself, on the other, the influence of Elizaveta Petrovna and the Dolgorukiys. On Natalya Alekseevna’s name day, August 26, Peter treated Maria rather dismissively. Menshikov reprimanded Peter, to which he remarked: “ I love her in my heart, but affection is unnecessary; Menshikov knows that I have no intention of getting married before 25 years old" As a result of this disagreement, Peter ordered the Supreme Privy Council to transport all his belongings from the Menshikov Palace to the Peterhof Palace and make an order that government money should not be given to anyone without a decree signed personally by the emperor.

Evdokia Fedorovna Lopukhina.
Unknown Russian artist of the 18th century. Canvas, oil. Kuskovo Estate Museum

According to E.V. Anisimov, it was not the young emperor who came up with decrees about moving the court from Vasilievsky Island, about disobeying Menshikov’s orders, about his house arrest, about replacing the commandant of the Peter and Paul Fortress, who was loyal to the General Lisimo. In the series of imperial decrees signed by Peter II at the beginning of September 1727, the experienced hand of Peter’s educator, Andrei Ivanovich Osterman, is clearly visible. However, it would be a mistake to assume that the time of Menshikov was replaced by the time of Osterman: the tsar’s new favorite, Prince Ivan Alekseevich Dolgoruky, came to the fore.

After the fall of Menshikov, Evdokia Lopukhina began to call herself queen and on September 21 wrote to her grandson:

Most powerful Emperor, dearest grandson! Although for a long time my desire was not only to congratulate Your Majesty on the assumption of the throne, but more than to see you, but due to my misfortune I was not granted this date, because Prince Menshikov, not allowing Your Majesty to see you, sent me on guard to Moscow. And now I have been notified that for my opposition to your Majesty I have been excommunicated from you; and so I take the courage to write to you and congratulate you. Moreover, I ask, if Your Majesty does not deign to be in Moscow soon, that I be commanded to be with you, so that in the heat of my blood I can see you and your sister, my dear grandson, before my death.

Evdokia Lopukhina, letter to Peter II

Thus, the emperor’s grandmother urged him to come to Moscow, but the nobility was afraid that if Peter came to Moscow, Lopukhina would be released and become a ruler. Despite this, at the end of 1727 preparations began to move the court to Moscow for the upcoming coronation, modeled on the Russian tsars.

At the beginning of January, the emperor and his court left St. Petersburg, but on the way Peter fell ill and was forced to spend two weeks in Tver. For some time, Peter stopped near Moscow to prepare for the ceremonial entry. It took place on February 4, 1728.

Peter II under the Dolgorukovs (1728-1730)

The camisole of Peter II, sewn in 1727-30, allows you to imagine the skinny figure of a teenager

Peter II's stay in Moscow began with the coronation in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin (February 25 (March 8)). This was the first coronation of an emperor in Russia, which in many ways set the pattern for future ones. Like all subsequent emperors, Peter II (according to a specially drawn up certificate in the Supreme Privy Council) at the coronation received communion at the altar, not reaching the throne, according to the rank of clergy (from the chalice); Archbishop Feofan Prokopovich of Novgorod gave him the cup with the Holy Gifts.

On November 22, 1728, the Emperor’s 14-year-old elder sister Natalya Alekseevna, whom he loved very much and who, according to contemporaries, had a beneficial influence on him, died in Moscow.

After moving to Moscow, the Dolgorukovs received great power: on February 3, 1728, princes Vasily Lukich and Alexey Grigorievich Dolgoruky were appointed members of the Supreme Privy Council; On February 11, the young prince Ivan Alekseevich was made chief chamberlain.

The fall of Menshikov brought Peter closer to Anna Petrovna. At the end of February 1728, a message arrived in Moscow that Anna Petrovna had given birth to a son, Peter (the future Peter III). A ball was held on this occasion. The messenger who announced the birth of Peter was given 300 ducats, and Feofan Prokopovich sent the Duke of Holstein, Anna Petrovna’s husband, a long congratulatory letter, in which he praised the newborn in every possible way and humiliated Menshikov.

After Peter’s arrival in Moscow, he met with his grandmother, Evdokia. This meeting is described touchingly by many historians. But the emperor treated his grandmother rather dismissively, despite the fact that she loved her grandson very much.

Domestic policy

During the Moscow period of his life, Peter II mainly had fun, leaving state affairs to the princes Dolgoruky. The Dolgorukovs themselves, and especially Ivan Alekseevich, spoke with indignation about the emperor’s constant amusements, but, nevertheless, did not interfere with him or force him to engage in state affairs. According to the historian Solovyov, foreign envoys reported on the state of affairs in Russia:

In the Supreme Privy Council, Apraksin, Golovkin and Golitsyn - that is, almost half of the members - expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that the emperor is not present in the Council and two of its members, Prince Alexei Dolgorukov and Osterman, are intermediaries between the emperor and the Council; They themselves almost never go to meetings, and the opinions of the Council must be sent to them with a request to carry out the matter by reporting to the emperor.

The army and navy were in crisis: after Menshikov’s exile, the Military Collegium was left without a president, and after the capital was moved to Moscow, without a vice-president, the army lacked ammunition, many capable young officers were fired. Peter was not interested in the army; the organization of military maneuvers near Moscow in the spring of 1729 did not attract his attention. The construction of ships was stopped; they wanted to limit themselves to the production of only galleys, which practically led to a war with Sweden. The transfer of the capital to Moscow also did not contribute to the development of the fleet. When Osterman warned Peter that due to the distance of the capital from the sea, the fleet could disappear, Peter replied: “ When need requires the use of ships, I will go to sea; but I don't intend to walk around it like grandpa».

During the reign of Peter II, disasters often occurred: for example, on April 23, 1729, a fire broke out in Moscow, in the German Settlement. While extinguishing it, the grenadiers took away valuables from the owners of the houses, threatening them with axes, and only the arrival of the emperor stopped the robberies. When Peter was informed about the robbery, he ordered the culprits to be taken away; but Ivan Dolgorukov tried to hush up the matter, since he was their captain.

Robbery attacks were very common at that time. For example, in Alator district, robbers burned the village of Prince Kurakin and killed the clerk; two churches and more than 200 households were burned. They wrote that more than one village suffered and that the robbers were standing near Alatyr in large numbers with weapons and cannons and boasting that they would take and destroy the city, where there was no garrison, and there was no one to send to catch the thieves. A similar thing also happened in the Penza region and the Lower Volga region.

Bribery and embezzlement flourished on a large scale. In December 1727, the trial of Admiral Matvey Zmaevich began, who abused his powers and embezzled the treasury. The court sentenced Zmaevich and his accomplice Major Pasynkov to death, which was replaced by a reduction in rank, honorable exile to Astrakhan and compensation for losses.

Ruble of Peter II in silver. 1727

After the repressions of Peter the Great, a relaxation was given from monetary duties and recruitment, and on April 4, 1729, the punitive body - the Preobrazhensky Prikaz - was liquidated. His affairs were divided between the Supreme Privy Council and the Senate, depending on their importance.

Controversies in the church intensified. After Menshikov's death, the opposition clergy felt empowered and began to advocate for the restoration of the patriarchate. All church affairs since the time of Peter I were managed by the vice-president of the Holy Synod, Feofan Prokopovich, who was accused of leniency towards the spread of Lutheranism and Calvinism, as well as participation in the All-Joking and All-Drunken Council. The main accusers were Rostov bishop Georgy (Dashkov) and Markell (Rodyshevsky).

Many of Peter the Great's undertakings continued by inertia. So, in 1730, Vitus Bering returned to St. Petersburg and reported the opening of the strait between Asia and America.

Engagement with Ekaterina Dolgorukova

Through his friend, Ivan Dolgorukov, the emperor in the fall of 1729 met and fell in love with his sister, 17-year-old Princess Ekaterina Dolgorukova. On November 19, Peter II gathered the Council and announced his intention to marry the princess; on November 30, the betrothal took place in the Lefort Palace. On the other hand, there were rumors that the Dolgorukovs forced the emperor into marriage. Observers noted that Peter II treated his bride coldly in public. A wedding was planned for January 19, 1730, but did not take place due to the premature death of Peter II.

Meanwhile, there was no unity in the Dolgoruki camp: for example, Alexei Dolgorukov hated his son Ivan, who was also disliked by his sister Catherine because he did not allow her to take the jewelry that belonged to the emperor’s late sister. At the beginning of January 1730, a secret meeting between Peter and Osterman took place, at which the latter tried to dissuade the emperor from marriage, talking about the embezzlement of the Dolgorukovs. Elizaveta Petrovna was also present at this meeting, who spoke about the poor attitude of the Dolgorukovs towards her, despite Peter’s constant decrees that she should be given due respect. Probably, the Dolgorukovs disliked her because the young emperor was very attached to her, although he was going to marry Ekaterina Dolgorukova.

Death of the Emperor

Foreign policy

Despite Peter's short reign, Russia's foreign policy during his time was quite active. Osterman, who was in charge of foreign policy, relied entirely on an alliance with Austria. The emperor had no doubts about this policy, because his maternal uncle was Emperor Charles VI, and his cousin was the future Empress Maria Theresa. The interests of Russia and Austria coincided in many areas - in particular, with regard to counteracting the Ottoman Empire.

An alliance with Austria, according to the concepts of that time, automatically meant strained relations with France and England. They wanted to use the coronation of George II to improve relations between Russia and Great Britain, but the death of the main Russian ambassador to France and England, Boris Kurakin, destroyed these plans.

Russia's relations with Poland deteriorated significantly due to the fact that the Poles considered Courland, where Anna Ioannovna ruled, their province and openly said that it should be divided into voivodships. Moritz of Saxony, the illegitimate son of the Polish king Augustus II, was denied marriages to Elizaveta Petrovna and Anna Ioannovna.

The news of Peter's accession to the throne was well received in Denmark, since a close relative of the king, the Duke of Holstein, was married to Peter's aunt, which could serve as the basis for an alliance with Denmark. Alexei Bestuzhev reported to Peter from Copenhagen: “The king hopes to receive your friendship and is ready to seek it in every possible way, directly and through the Caesar.”

Relations with Sweden were at first very hostile: the Russian envoy was treated coldly, while the Turkish envoy was showered with favors; Sweden forced Russia to start a war in order to be credited with starting a hostile movement and to receive help from France and England. Disputes about Peter's conquests continued: Sweden threatened that it would not recognize Peter as emperor if Russia did not return Vyborg to Sweden. However, later the Swedes, having learned that the army and navy in Russia were still in combat-ready condition, abandoned these demands. Despite this, relations remained tense: in Sweden many regretted that Menshikov was exiled, and, in addition, an invasion of Russia by Sweden and Turkey with the support of England and France was being prepared. However, relations soon changed, and Russia's main enemy, Count Horn, began to swear loyalty to the emperor. At the end of Peter's reign, King Frederick I of Sweden himself tried to enter into an alliance with Russia.

Personality of Peter II

Peter II was distinguished by laziness, did not like to study, but he loved entertainment and at the same time was very wayward. Historian Nikolai Kostomarov gives a historical anecdote from his life:

He was only 12 years old, but he already felt that he was born an autocratic monarch, and at the first opportunity presented himself, he showed consciousness of his royal origin over Menshikov himself. St. Petersburg masons presented the young sovereign with a gift of 9,000 chervonets. The Emperor sent this money as a gift to his sister, Grand Duchess Natalya, but Menshikov, meeting a servant walking with the money, took the money from him and said: “The Emperor is too young and does not know how to use money.” The next morning, having learned from his sister that she had not received the money, Peter asked the courtier about it, who announced that Menshikov had taken the money from him. The Emperor ordered to call Prince Menshikov and shouted angrily:

How dare you prevent my courtier from carrying out my order?

Our treasury is depleted,” said Menshikov, “the state is in need, and I intend to give this money a more useful purpose; however, if Your Majesty wishes, I will not only return this money, but will give you a whole million of my money.

“I am the emperor,” said Peter, stamping his foot, “you must obey me.”

The king is similar to his grandfather in that he stands his ground, does not tolerate objections and does what he wants.

Lefort, Saxon ambassador to Russia

Previously, it was possible to counteract all this, but now it is impossible to even think about it, because the sovereign knows his unlimited power and does not want to correct himself. He acts solely at his own discretion, following only the advice of his favorites.

Hohenholtz, Austrian Ambassador to Russia

One cannot help but be surprised at the sovereign’s ability to hide his thoughts; his art of pretending is remarkable. Last week he dined twice with Osterman, whom he at the same time mocked in the company of the Dolgorukys. He hides his thoughts in front of Osterman: he tells him the opposite of what Dolgoruky assured... The art of pretending is the prevailing character trait of the emperor.

Count Vratislav, Austrian Ambassador to Russia

Although it is difficult to say anything decisive about the character of the 14-year-old sovereign, one can guess that he will be quick-tempered, decisive and cruel.

Duke De Liria, Spanish Ambassador to Russia

Titles

Years	Title
-	Grand Duke
-	By God's swift grace, We are Peter the Second, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia, Moscow, Kiev, Vladimir, Novgorod, Tsar of Kazan, Tsar of Astrakhan, Tsar of Siberia, Sovereign of Pskov and Great and the Prince of Smolensk, Prince of Estland, Livonia, Korel, Tver, Yugorsk, Perm, Vyatka, Bulgarian and other Sovereign and Grand Duke of Novgorod, Nizovsky lands, Chernigov, Ryazan, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Beloozersky, Udorsky, Obdorsky, Kondiya and all Northern countries Sovereign and Sovereign of the Iversk land, Kartalinsky and Georgian Kings, and the Kabardian land, Cherkasy and Mountain Kings Princes and other Hereditary Sovereign and Possessor

Impostors

Pedigree

Alexei Mikhailovich

Natalia Naryshkina

Peter I 1672 - 1725

Evdokia Lopukhina 1669 - 1731

Ludwig Rudolf 1671 - 1735

Christina Louise 1671 - 1747

Alexander Petrovich 1691 - 1692

Paul Petrovich 1693 - 1693

Alexei Petrovich 1690 - 1718

Sofia Charlotte 1694 - 1715

Peter II (short biography)

Peter the Second Alekseevich, the future All-Russian Emperor, was born on October 12, 1715. Peter's mother died ten days after giving birth, and three years later his father also died. Peter the Great, who was his grandfather, did not pay much attention to his grandson. His youth passes quite carefree among the youth of noble families. The closest to the future Russian ruler was Ivan Dolgorukov.

After the death of his grandfather Peter the Great the First, it was his grandson who was obliged to lead the state. However, the tsar violates the established system of inheritance of power and issues a decree in 1722 on his own right to appoint an heir. Prince Menshikov, who at that time with great influence sought to proclaim Peter the Great’s wife Catherine as empress.

At the same time, throughout her reign she was very supportive of Pyotr Alekseevich and even made a will in his favor.

The reign of Peter the Great begins on May 18, 1727. Menshikov becomes regent under the young emperor, and Peter himself issues manifestos that were drawn up by the regent. Thanks to the first of them, the popularity of the emperor among the masses was significantly increased. In the second manifesto, princes Dolgorukov and Trubetskoy receive field marshal's batons. And Minikh receives not only the staff, but also the title of count. At the same time, Menshikov himself became a generalissimo during this period.

On the twenty-fourth of May 1727, Peter became engaged to Menshikov’s eldest daughter, Maria. Dolgoruky, Academician Goldbach, Feofan Prokopovich, and A. I. Osterman are involved in the upbringing of the young ruler. Despite the fact that from the outside the royal life proceeded smoothly, the king did not have feelings for Mary, who also did not shine with intelligence.

Very soon after the engagement, Menshikov leaves Peter due to illness. During this period, the tsar changes his views on Menshikov's advice, and the engagement to Maria is broken off. On September 8, 1727, the beginning of the independent reign of Peter the Great was announced. After this, he moved to Peterhof, and Menshikov (deprived of his posts and ranks) went into exile in the Ryazan province.

On February 24, 1728, the young ruler was crowned king. There is a serious struggle for influence on the young king at court. The imperial sister, Natalya Alekseevna, expressed support for Osterman, and the Tsar's aunt Elizabeth was on the side of the Golitsyn family.

In 1729, a date was set for the tsar’s wedding, but this was not destined to happen, because on February 18, 1730, the tsar died.

Peter 2nd Alekseevich, the future Emperor of All Russia, was born on October 12 (23), 1715. His mother, Sophia-Charlotte of Blankenburg, died 10 days after the birth of her son, and at the age of three he lost his father. The grandfather of Peter the 2nd did not pay attention to raising his grandson. The youth of Peter the 2nd passed quite carefree in the company of young people from noble families. Young Ivan Dolgorukov was especially close to the future tsar.

It was Pyotr Alekseevich who was the legitimate contender for the Russian throne after the death of his grandfather. But Peter the Great violated the already established system of inheritance of power by issuing a decree in 1722 on his right to appoint an heir. His Serene Highness Prince Menshikov, who had considerable influence at that time, achieved the proclamation of Catherine the 1st Empress. The first attempt to place Peter the 2nd on the throne was unsuccessful. However, throughout the reign of Catherine, the 1st grandson of Peter the Great enjoyed her goodwill. The Empress's will was drawn up in favor of Peter the 2nd.

The reign of Peter the 2nd began on May 7 (18), 1727. Menshikov became regent under the young emperor. Peter published manifestos compiled by Menshikov. The first of them increased the emperor's popularity among the common people, since he wrote off old debts from serfs and granted freedom to those who were sent to hard labor for non-payment. The second manifesto granted Menshikov's ill-wishers - princes Trubetskoy and Dolgorukov - field marshal's batons. Burchard Minich received not only the staff, but also the title of count. Menshikov himself became generalissimo.

On May 24 (June 4), 1727, Tsar Peter the 2nd was engaged to Menshikov’s eldest daughter, Maria. A.I. was involved in the upbringing of the young ruler. Osterman, Feofan Prokopovich, academician Goldbach, and A.G. Dolgoruky. Although the tsar’s life was quite prosperous, Peter the 2nd did not like Mary, who was not very intelligent. Soon after the engagement, illness forced Menshikov to leave Peter the 2nd for some time. And the Tsar’s attitude towards His Serene Highness changed greatly; the engagement to Maria was broken off. On September 8 (19), 1727, the beginning of the independent reign of Tsar Peter the 2nd was announced. He moved to Peterhof, and deprived of all ranks and positions, Menshikov went into exile in Rannenburg (Ryazan province).

On February 24, 1728, the young ruler was crowned king. There was a serious struggle for influence over Peter at court. The Emperor's sister Natalya Alekseevna supported Osterman, the Tsar's aunt was on the side of the Golitsyns. The Dolgorukys took advantage of Peter's favor with Ivan Dolgoruky.

Leaving state affairs to his tutor Osterman, Peter indulged in entertainment. The Supreme Privy Council played an important role in governing the country under Peter the 2nd. The situation in Russia in those years was difficult. The fleet of Peter the Great was weakened by a lack of funding, the Ottoman Empire and Sweden demonstrated very unfriendly intentions.

In 1729, it was announced that Catherine Dolgorukaya was the new bride of Peter the 2nd. The wedding date was set - January 6 (17), 1730. But it was on this day that the king showed signs of a terrible disease - smallpox. The far-reaching plans of the Dolgorukys were destroyed by the death of Peter the 2nd. The Tsar died on January 18, 1730.

In addition to the great emperors and empresses, there were also figures in Russian history whose stay on the throne left an extremely small mark on history and was practically forgotten by their descendants.

Against the backdrop of the era of great reforms Peter the Great the reign of his grandson and namesake looks like a complete misunderstanding, a strange quirk of fate. However, to a certain extent, Peter I himself is to blame for this quirk.

The grandson of Peter the Great suffered an unenviable fate from birth. His father and mother, son of Peter I Tsarevich Alexei And German Princess Sophia-Charlotte of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, did not have loving feelings for each other. Moreover, Sofia-Charlotte hoped to the last to avoid marriage with a “Muscovite”, but her hopes were not justified.

The marriage of this couple was the result of high diplomacy and agreements between Peter I, Polish King Augustus II And Austrian Emperor Charles VI.

Europe of the 18th century was not surprised by dynastic marriages, and therefore Sophia-Charlotte, resigned to her fate, did what she was supposed to do - she began to give birth to princesses and princes for her husband. Born in the summer of 1714 Natalya Alekseevna, and on October 12, 1715 - Petr Alekseevich, grandson and full namesake of the emperor.

The young Tsarevich’s mother died ten days after the birth of her son, and by the age of three, Peter Alekseevich remained an orphan - his father, Tsarevich Alexei, was sentenced to death by Peter the Great for treason.

Wine and curses for the Grand Duke

However, his own father, who perished in the dungeons of his grandfather, managed to negatively influence the boy. Not experiencing warm feelings for a child from an unloved woman, Alexey Petrovich assigned two women who abused alcohol to his son as nannies. The nannies solved the problem of the baby’s whims simply - they gave him wine to drink so that he would fall asleep faster. Thus began the soldering of the future emperor, which continued for the rest of his life.

Peter the Great initially did not consider his grandson as the heir to the throne: in the same 1715, less than three weeks after the birth of Peter Alekseevich, Petr Petrovich, son of the emperor. It was to him that Peter I intended to transfer the throne. But the boy was sickly, weak, and died in 1719.

Thus, after the death of his father and brother, Peter Alekseevich remained the only heir to the emperor in the male line. From birth, he bore the official title “Grand Duke” - starting with him, such an official name displaces the previously accepted “prince” from the Russian tradition. Although in colloquial rather than official speech, the princes survived until the very end of the monarchy in Russia.

Peter the Great, having lost his son, began to pay more attention to his grandson, but still did not follow him too closely. Somehow, having decided to test his knowledge, he discovered the complete inadequacy of the teachers assigned to him - the boy did not know how to communicate in Russian, he knew a little German and Latin, and much better - Tatar curses.

The emperor, who was not above assault, beat up the teachers, but, oddly enough, the situation did not change - Pyotr Alekseevich’s education was conducted extremely poorly.

The grandson of Peter I was in love with his daughter

In 1722, by Decree on Succession to the Throne, Peter the Great determined that the emperor himself had the right to appoint an heir. After this decree, Pyotr Alekseevich’s position as an heir began to shake.

But in 1725, Peter the Great died without leaving a will. A fierce struggle for the throne broke out between various factions, but in the end Prince Menshikov enthroned the wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I.

Her reign was short-lived, two years. At the end of it, the Empress designated Peter Alekseevich as the heir, indicating that if he had no male descendants, his heir in turn would become Elizaveta Alekseevna, daughter of Peter I.

In 1727, 11-year-old Grand Duke Peter Alekseevich became Emperor Peter II. There is a desperate struggle between political parties for influence over him, one of which is made up of representatives of ancient boyar families, the other - associates of Peter the Great.

Peter II himself does not interfere in political passions - he spends time in the circle of “golden youth”, where he falls under the influence of the Dolgorukov princes, one of whom, Ivan, becomes his favorite.

In this cheerful circle, the 11-year-old emperor is drunk, introduced to debauchery, taken hunting - entertainment that is not suitable for Pyotr Alekseevich’s age takes the place of his studies.

Perhaps only two people maintained a sincere and warm relationship with him - his own sister Natalya Alekseevna and dear aunt Elizaveta Petrovna. “Auntie” was 17 years old by that time.

The young emperor, however, felt not kindred, but loving feelings for Elizabeth, even intending to marry her, which led the courtiers into confusion.

Fight for the Emperor

However, the wishes of Peter II were fulfilled only when they did not run counter to the intentions of those who influenced him. To the Almighty Menshikov managed to push competitors away from the emperor, and he began to prepare his wedding with one of his daughters - Maria. With this marriage, the Most Serene Prince hoped to further strengthen his own power. However, his enemies did not sleep, and, taking advantage of Menshikov’s illness, which lasted several weeks, they managed to turn Peter II against the prince.

In September 1727, Menshikov was accused of treason and embezzlement, and he and his family were exiled to Berezov. Maria Menshikova, the former bride of Peter II, also went there.

But this was not a victory for the young emperor, but for the Dolgorukovs, who soon also controlled Peter II, just as Menshikov had controlled him before.

At the end of February 1728, the official coronation of Peter II took place in Moscow. Under the influence of the Dolgorukovs, the emperor intended to return the capital to Moscow. The Dolgorukovs received the most important government posts, thereby achieving enormous power.

In November 1728, Peter II suffered another blow - the 14-year-old girl died Natalya Alekseevna, one of the few who could still restrain the emperor, who was devoting more and more time to entertainment rather than to study and state affairs.

After the death of his sister, Peter II spent more and more time on feasts and hunting pleasures.

Engagement

State affairs were left to chance, foreign ambassadors wrote that Russia now most resembles a ship that goes at the will of the wind and waves, with a drunken or sleeping crew on board.

Some government dignitaries, who were concerned not only with filling their own wallets, expressed indignation that the emperor did not pay due attention to state affairs, but their voices had no influence on what was happening.

Princess Ekaterina Alekseevna Dolgorukova. 1798 Photo: Public Domain

The Dolgorukovs decided to implement the “Menshikov plan” - to marry a representative of their family, a 17-year-old princess, to Peter II Ekaterina Dolgorukova. On November 30, 1729, their engagement took place. The wedding was scheduled for January 19, 1730.

The Dolgorukovs, continuing to take the emperor to feasts and hunting, celebrated their victory. Meanwhile, the discontent of other representatives of the nobility was brewing against them, as earlier against Menshikov. At the very beginning of January 1730, the emperor’s educator tried to persuade Peter II to abandon his marriage to Ekaterina Dolgorukova and reconsider his attitude towards this family. Andrey Ivanovich Osterman and Elizaveta Petrovna. Whether they succeeded in sowing doubts in the soul of Peter II is unknown. In any case, he did not officially express his intentions to abandon the marriage.

“I’ll go to my sister Natalia!”

On January 6, 1730, in a very severe frost, Peter II, together with Field Marshal Minich and Osterman hosted a parade dedicated to the blessing of water on the Moscow River. Returning to the palace, he rode standing on the back of his bride's sleigh.

A few hours later, the emperor developed a high fever in the palace. The doctors who examined Peter II made a terrible diagnosis for that time - smallpox.

The body of the 14-year-old monarch was by that time seriously undermined by endless drinking bouts and other “adult” entertainment. The young emperor's condition deteriorated rapidly.

The Dolgorukovs made a desperate attempt to save the situation by persuading Peter II to sign a will in favor of his bride, but the emperor fell into unconsciousness.

The decline lasted about two weeks. On the night of January 19 (January 29, new style) 1730, on the eve of the appointed wedding day, Peter II woke up and said: “Pawn the horses. I’ll go to my sister Natalia.” A few minutes later he was gone.

Along with the death of Peter II, the Romanov family was extinguished.

The 14-year-old grandson of Peter the Great became the last of the Russian monarchs to be buried in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

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 after 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 fulfilled, but 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 field 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 given 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.