Dates of the reign of Russian emperors. All the tsars of Russia in order (with portraits): complete list

(1672 - 1725) a period of palace coups began in the country. This time was characterized by a rapid change, both of the rulers themselves and of the entire elite surrounding them. However, Catherine II was on the throne for 34 years, lived a long life and died at the age of 67. After her, emperors came to power in Russia, each of whom tried in his own way to raise her prestige throughout the world, and some succeeded. The history of the country forever included the names of those who ruled in Russia after Catherine II.

Briefly about the reign of Catherine II

The full name of the most famous Empress of All Russia is Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Tserbskaya. She was born on May 2, 1729 in Prussia. In 1744, she was invited by Elizabeth II with her mother to Russia, where she immediately began to study the Russian language and the history of her new homeland. In the same year, she converted from Lutheranism to Orthodoxy. On September 1, 1745, she was married to Peter Fedorovich, the future Emperor Peter III, who was 17 years old at the time of the marriage.

During the years of his reign from 1762 to 1796. Catherine II raised the general culture of the country, her political life to the European level. Under her, new legislation was adopted, which contained 526 articles. During her reign, Crimea, Azov, Kuban, Kerch, Kiburn, the western part of Volyn, as well as some regions of Belarus, Poland and Lithuania were annexed to Russia. Catherine II founded the Russian Academy of Sciences, introduced a system of secondary education, opened institutes for girls. In 1769, paper money, the so-called banknotes, was put into circulation. Money circulation at that time was based on copper money, which was extremely inconvenient for large commercial transactions. For example, 100 rubles in copper coins weighed more than 6 pounds, that is, more than a centner, which made financial transactions very difficult. Under Catherine II, the number of factories and factories increased four times, the army and navy gained strength. But there were many negative assessments of her activities. Including abuse of power by officials, bribery, embezzlement. Favorites of the empress received orders, gifts of fabulous value, privileges. Her generosity extended to almost everyone who was close to the court. During the reign of Catherine II, the situation of serfs worsened significantly.

Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich (1754 - 1801) was the son of Catherine II and Peter III. From birth he was under the care of Elizabeth II. Hieromonk Plato had a great influence on the worldview of the heir to the throne. He was married twice and had 10 children. He ascended the throne after the death of Catherine II. He issued a decree on succession to the throne, which legalized the transfer of the throne from father to son, the Manifesto on a three-day corvee. On the very first day of his reign, A.N. Radishchev from Siberian exile, released N.I. Novikov and A.T. Kosciuszko. He made serious reforms and transformations in the army and navy.

The country began to pay more attention to spiritual and secular education, military educational institutions. New seminaries and theological academies were opened. Paul I in 1798 supported the Order of Malta, which was practically defeated by the troops of France and for this he was proclaimed the protector of the order, that is, its protector, and later the Chief Master. The unpopular recent political decisions made by Paul, his harsh and despotic character caused discontent throughout society. As a result of the conspiracy, he was killed in his bedroom on the night of March 23, 1801.

After the death of Paul I, in 1801, Alexander I (1777 - 1825), his eldest son, ascended the Russian throne. Carried out a number of liberal reforms. He led successful military operations against Turkey, Sweden and Persia. After the victory in the war against Napoleon Bonaparte, he was among the leaders of the Congress of Vienna and the organizers of the Holy Alliance, which included Russia, Prussia and Austria. He died unexpectedly during an epidemic of typhoid fever in Taganrog. However, due to the fact that he repeatedly mentioned the desire to voluntarily leave the throne and “remove from the world”, a legend arose in society that a double died in Taganrog, and Alexander I became the elder Fyodor Kuzmich, who lived in the Urals and died in 1864.

The next Russian emperor was the brother of Alexander I, Nikolai Pavlovich, since Grand Duke Konstantin, who inherited the throne by seniority, abdicated. During the oath to the new sovereign on December 14, 1825, the Decembrist uprising took place, the purpose of which was to liberalize the existing political system, including the abolition of serfdom, and democratic freedoms up to a change in the form of government. The speech was suppressed on the same day, many were sent into exile, and the leaders were executed. Nicholas I was married to Alexandra Feodorovna, the Prussian princess Frederick-Louise-Charlotte-Wilhemine, with whom they had seven children. This marriage was of great importance for Prussia and Russia. Nicholas I had an engineering education and personally oversaw the construction of railways and the fort "Emperor Paul I", projects for fortifications for the naval defense of St. Petersburg. Died March 2, 1855 from pneumonia.

In 1855, the son of Nicholas I and Alexandra Feodorovna, Alexander II, ascended the throne. He was an excellent diplomat. He carried out the abolition of serfdom in 1861. He carried out a number of reforms that were of great importance for the further development of the country:

• in 1857 he issued a decree that liquidated all military settlements;
• in 1863 he introduced the university charter, which determined the order in Russian higher institutions;
• carried out reforms of city self-government, judicial and secondary education;
• in 1874 he approved the military reform on universal military service.

Several assassination attempts were made on the emperor. He died on March 13, 1881 after Ignaty Grinevitsky, member of the People's Will, threw a bomb at his feet.

Since 1881, Russia was ruled by Alexander III (1845 - 1894). He was married to a princess from Denmark, known in the country as Maria Feodorovna. They had six children. The emperor had a good military education, and after the death of his elder brother Nicholas, he mastered an additional course of sciences that one needed to know in order to competently manage the state. His reign was characterized by a series of harsh measures to strengthen administrative control. Judges began to be appointed by the government, censorship of printed publications was again introduced, and Old Believers were given legal status. In 1886 the so-called poll tax was abolished. Alexander III led an open foreign policy, which helped to strengthen his position in the international arena. The prestige of the country during his reign was extremely high, Russia did not participate in any war. He died on November 1, 1894 in the Livadia Palace, in the Crimea.

The years of the reign of Nicholas II (1868 - 1918) were characterized by the rapid economic development of Russia and the simultaneous growth of social tension. The increased growth of revolutionary sentiment resulted in the First Russian Revolution of 1905-1907. It was followed by a war with Japan for control of Manchuria and Korea, the country's participation in the First World War. After the February Revolution of 1917, he abdicated.

According to the decision of the Provisional Government, he was sent with his family into exile in Tobolsk. In the spring of 1918 he was transferred to Yekaterinburg, where he was shot along with his wife, children and several close associates. This is the last of those who ruled in Russia after Catherine 2. The family of Nicholas II is glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church as a saint.

For almost 400 years of the existence of this title, it was worn by completely different people - from adventurers and liberals to tyrants and conservatives.

Rurikovichi

Over the years, Russia (from Rurik to Putin) has changed its political system many times. At first, the rulers had a princely title. When, after a period of political fragmentation, a new Russian state was formed around Moscow, the owners of the Kremlin thought about accepting the royal title.

This was done under Ivan the Terrible (1547-1584). This one decided to marry the kingdom. And this decision was not accidental. So the Moscow monarch emphasized that he was the successor. It was they who bestowed Orthodoxy on Russia. In the 16th century, Byzantium no longer existed (it fell under the onslaught of the Ottomans), so Ivan the Terrible rightly believed that his act would have serious symbolic significance.

Such historical figures as had a great influence on the development of the whole country. In addition to the fact that Ivan the Terrible changed his title, he also captured the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates, starting Russian expansion to the East.

Ivan's son Fedor (1584-1598) was distinguished by his weak character and health. Nevertheless, under him the state continued to develop. The patriarchate was established. Rulers have always paid much attention to the issue of succession to the throne. This time he stood up especially sharply. Fedor had no children. When he died, the Rurik dynasty on the Moscow throne came to an end.

Time of Troubles

After Fyodor's death, Boris Godunov (1598-1605), his brother-in-law, came to power. He did not belong to the royal family, and many considered him a usurper. Under him, due to natural disasters, a colossal famine began. The tsars and presidents of Russia have always tried to keep calm in the provinces. Due to the tense situation, Godunov failed to do this. Several peasant uprisings took place in the country.

In addition, the adventurer Grishka Otrepiev called himself one of the sons of Ivan the Terrible and began a military campaign against Moscow. He really managed to capture the capital and become king. Boris Godunov did not live up to this moment - he died from health complications. His son Fyodor II was captured by the associates of False Dmitry and killed.

The impostor ruled for only a year, after which he was overthrown during the Moscow uprising, which was inspired by disgruntled Russian boyars who did not like that False Dmitry surrounded himself with Catholic Poles. decided to transfer the crown to Vasily Shuisky (1606-1610). During the Time of Troubles, the rulers of Russia often changed.

The princes, tsars and presidents of Russia had to carefully guard their power. Shuisky did not hold her back and was overthrown by the Polish interventionists.

First Romanovs

When in 1613 Moscow was liberated from foreign invaders, the question arose of who should be made sovereign. This text presents all the tsars of Russia in order (with portraits). Now it's time to tell about the ascension to the throne of the Romanov dynasty.

The first sovereign of this kind - Michael (1613-1645) - was just a young man when he was put to rule a vast country. His main goal was the struggle with Poland for the lands occupied by it during the Time of Troubles.

These were the biographies of the rulers and the dates of the reign until the middle of the 17th century. After Michael, his son Alexei (1645-1676) ruled. He annexed left-bank Ukraine and Kyiv to Russia. So, after several centuries of fragmentation and Lithuanian rule, the fraternal peoples finally began to live in one country.

Alexei had many sons. The eldest of them, Fedor III (1676-1682), died at a young age. After him came the simultaneous reign of two children - Ivan and Peter.

Peter the Great

Ivan Alekseevich was unable to govern the country. Therefore, in 1689, the sole reign of Peter the Great began. He completely rebuilt the country in a European manner. Russia - from Rurik to Putin (let's look at all the rulers in chronological order) - knows few examples of an era so full of changes.

A new army and navy appeared. To do this, Peter started a war against Sweden. The Northern War lasted 21 years. During it, the Swedish army was defeated, and the kingdom agreed to cede its southern Baltic lands. In this region, in 1703, St. Petersburg was founded - the new capital of Russia. Peter's success made him think about changing his title. In 1721 he became emperor. However, this change did not abolish the royal title - in everyday speech, monarchs continued to be called kings.

The era of palace coups

Peter's death was followed by a long period of unstable power. The monarchs replaced each other with enviable regularity, which was facilitated. As a rule, the guards or certain courtiers were at the head of these changes. During this era, Catherine I (1725-1727), Peter II (1727-1730), Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740), Ivan VI (1740-1741), Elizabeth Petrovna (1741-1761) and Peter III (1761-1762) ruled ).

The last of them was of German origin. Under the predecessor of Peter III, Elizabeth, Russia waged a victorious war against Prussia. The new monarch renounced all conquests, returned Berlin to the king and concluded a peace treaty. With this act, he signed his own death warrant. The guards organized another palace coup, after which Peter's wife Catherine II was on the throne.

Catherine II and Paul I

Catherine II (1762-1796) had a deep state mind. On the throne, she began to pursue a policy of enlightened absolutism. The Empress organized the work of the famous statutory commission, the purpose of which was to prepare a comprehensive project of reforms in Russia. She also wrote the Order. This document contained many considerations about the transformations needed for the country. The reforms were curtailed when a peasant uprising led by Pugachev broke out in the Volga region in the 1770s.

All the tsars and presidents of Russia (in chronological order, we listed all the royal persons) took care that the country looked worthy on the foreign arena. She was no exception. She led several successful military campaigns against Turkey. As a result, Crimea and other important Black Sea regions were annexed to Russia. At the end of Catherine's reign, three partitions of Poland took place. So the Russian Empire received important acquisitions in the west.

After the death of the great empress, her son Paul I (1796-1801) came to power. This quarrelsome man was not liked by many in the St. Petersburg elite.

First half of the 19th century

In 1801 there was another and the last palace coup. A group of conspirators dealt with Pavel. His son Alexander I (1801-1825) was on the throne. His reign fell on the Patriotic War and the invasion of Napoleon. The rulers of the Russian state have not faced such a serious enemy intervention for two centuries. Despite the capture of Moscow, Bonaparte was defeated. Alexander became the most popular and famous monarch of the Old World. He was also called "the liberator of Europe".

Inside his country, Alexander in his youth tried to implement liberal reforms. Historical figures often change their policies as they age. So Alexander soon abandoned his ideas. He died in Taganrog in 1825 under mysterious circumstances.

At the beginning of the reign of his brother Nicholas I (1825-1855) there was an uprising of the Decembrists. Because of this, conservative orders triumphed in the country for thirty years.

Second half of the 19th century

Here are all the tsars of Russia in order, with portraits. Further, we will talk about the main reformer of the national statehood - Alexander II (1855-1881). He became the initiator of the manifesto on the liberation of the peasants. The destruction of serfdom allowed the development of the Russian market and capitalism. The country began to grow economically. The reforms also affected the judiciary, local self-government, administrative and conscription systems. The monarch tried to raise the country to its feet and learn the lessons that the lost started under Nicholas I presented him.

But Alexander's reforms were not enough for the radicals. Terrorists attempted several times on his life. In 1881 they were successful. Alexander II died from a bomb explosion. The news came as a shock to the whole world.

Because of what happened, the son of the deceased monarch, Alexander III (1881-1894), forever became a tough reactionary and conservative. But he is best known as a peacemaker. During his reign, Russia did not conduct a single war.

The last king

Alexander III died in 1894. Power passed into the hands of Nicholas II (1894-1917) - his son and the last Russian monarch. By that time, the old world order with the absolute power of kings and kings had already outlived itself. Russia - from Rurik to Putin - knew a lot of upheavals, but it was under Nicholas that there were more than ever many of them.

In 1904-1905. the country experienced a humiliating war with Japan. It was followed by the first revolution. Although the unrest was suppressed, the king had to make concessions to public opinion. He agreed to establish a constitutional monarchy and a parliament.

The tsars and presidents of Russia at all times faced a certain opposition within the state. Now people could elect deputies who expressed these sentiments.

In 1914 the First World War began. No one then suspected that it would end with the fall of several empires at once, including the Russian one. In 1917, the February Revolution broke out, and the last tsar had to abdicate. Nicholas II, together with his family, was shot by the Bolsheviks in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg.

The first accession in Russia took place in 1547, Ivan the Terrible became the sovereign. Previously, the throne was occupied by the Grand Duke. Some Russian tsars could not hold on to power, they were replaced by other rulers. Russia experienced different periods: the Time of Troubles, palace coups, assassinations of tsars and emperors, revolutions, years of terror.

The pedigree of the Rurikovichs was cut short on Fedor Ioannovich, the son of Ivan the Terrible. For several decades, power passed to different monarchs. In 1613, the Romanovs ascended the throne, after the revolution of 1917 this dynasty was overthrown, and the first socialist state in the world was established in Russia. The emperors were replaced by leaders and general secretaries. At the end of the twentieth century, a course was taken to create a democratic society. The president of the country began to be elected by citizens by secret ballot.

John the Fourth (1533 - 1584)

Grand Duke, who became the first king of all Russia. Formally, he ascended the throne at the age of 3, when his father, Prince Vasily the Third, died. Officially took the royal title in 1547. The sovereign was known for his stern disposition, for which he received the nickname Terrible. Ivan the Fourth was a reformer, during his reign the Sudebnik of 1550 was compiled, zemstvo meetings began to be convened, changes were made in education, the army, and self-government.

The increase in the territory of Russia amounted to 100%. The Astrakhan and Kazan khanates were conquered, the development of Siberia, Bashkiria, and the Don region began. The last years of the kingdom were marked by failures during the Livonian War and the bloody years of the oprichnina, when most of the Russian aristocracy was destroyed.

Fedor Ioannovich (1584 - 1598)

Middle son of Ivan the Terrible. According to one version, he became heir to the throne in 1581, when his older brother Ivan died at the hands of his father. He went down in history under the name of Theodore the Blessed. He became the last representative of the Moscow branch of the Rurik dynasty, since he left no heirs. Fyodor Ioannovich, unlike his father, was meek in character and kind.

During his reign, the Moscow Patriarchate was established. Several strategic cities were founded: Voronezh, Saratov, Stary Oskol. From 1590 to 1595, the Russo-Swedish war continued. Russia returned part of the coast of the Baltic Sea.

Irina Godunova (1598 - 1598)

Wife of Tsar Fedor and sister of Boris Godunov. In marriage with her husband, they had only one daughter, who died in infancy. Therefore, after the death of her husband, Irina became the heir to the throne. She was listed as queen for a little over a month. Irina Fedorovna led an active social life during the life of her husband, even received European ambassadors. But a week after his death, she decided to take the veil as a nun and go to the Novodevichy Convent. After she was tonsured, she took the name Alexander. Irina Fedorovna was considered the queen until her brother Boris Fedorovich was approved as sovereign.

Boris Godunov (1598 - 1605)

Boris Godunov was the brother-in-law of Fyodor Ioannovich. Thanks to a happy accident, shown ingenuity and cunning, he became the king of Russia. His promotion began in 1570, when he went to the guardsmen. And in 1580 he was granted the title of boyar. It is generally accepted that Godunov led the state back in the time of Fyodor Ioannovich (he was not capable of this because of the gentleness of his character).

Godunov's board was aimed at the development of the Russian state. He began to actively approach Western countries. Doctors, cultural and statesmen came to Russia. Boris Godunov was known for his suspiciousness and repressions against the boyars. During his reign, there was a terrible famine. The sovereign even opened the royal barns to feed the hungry peasants. In 1605 he died unexpectedly.

Fyodor Godunov (1605 - 1605)

He was an educated young man. He is considered one of the first cartographers of Russia. The son of Boris Godunov, was elevated to the reign at the age of 16, became the last of the Godunovs on the throne. He reigned for just under two months, from April 13 to June 1, 1605. Fedor became king during the offensive of the troops of False Dmitry the First. But the governors, who led the suppression of the uprising, betrayed the Russian tsar and swore allegiance to False Dmitry. Fedor and his mother were killed in the royal chambers, and their bodies were put on display in Red Square. In the short period of the reign of the king, the Stone Order was approved - this is an analogue of the Ministry of Construction.

False Dmitry (1605 - 1606)

This king came to power after a rebellion. He introduced himself as Tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich. He said that he miraculously escaped the son of Ivan the Terrible. There are different versions about the origin of False Dmitry. Some historians say that this is a runaway monk, Grigory Otrepiev. Others claim that he really could be Tsarevich Dmitry, who was secretly taken to Poland.

During the year of his reign, he returned many repressed boyars from exile, changed the composition of the Duma, and banned bribery. On the part of foreign policy, he was going to start a war with the Turks for access to the Sea of ​​Azov. He opened the borders of Russia for the free movement of foreigners and compatriots. He was killed in May 1606 as a result of a conspiracy by Vasily Shuisky.

Vasily Shuisky (1606 - 1610)

Representative of the Shuisky princes from the Suzdal branch of the Rurikovich. The tsar was little popular among the people and depended on the boyars who elected him to rule. He tried to strengthen the army. A new military code was established. During the time of Shuisky, there were numerous uprisings. The rebel Bolotnikov was replaced by False Dmitry II (allegedly, False Dmitry I who escaped in 1606). Part of the regions of Russia swore allegiance to the self-proclaimed king. The country was also besieged by Polish troops. In 1610 the ruler was overthrown by the Polish-Lithuanian king. Until the end of his days he lived in captivity in Poland.

Vladislav the Fourth (1610 - 1613)

Son of the Polish-Lithuanian king Sigismund III. He was considered the sovereign of Russia in the Time of Troubles. In 1610 he took the oath of the Moscow boyars. According to the Smolensk Treaty, he was to take the throne after the adoption of Orthodoxy. But Vladislav did not change his religion and refused to change to Catholicism. He never came to Russia. In 1612, the government of the boyars was overthrown in Moscow, who invited Vladislav the Fourth to the throne. And then it was decided to make Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov tsar.

Mikhail Romanov (1613 - 1645)

The first sovereign of the Romanov dynasty. This clan belonged to the seven largest and oldest families of the Moscow boyars. Mikhail Fedorovich was only 16 years old when he was put on the throne. Informally, his father, Patriarch Filaret, led the country. Officially, he could not be crowned king, since he had already been tonsured a monk.

During the time of Mikhail Fedorovich, normal trade and economy, which had been undermined by the Time of Troubles, was restored. An "eternal peace" was concluded with Sweden and the Commonwealth. The tsar ordered an exact inventory of the manorial lands in order to establish a real tax. Regiments of the "new system" were created.

Alexei Mikhailovich (1645 - 1676)

In the history of Russia he was nicknamed the Quietest. The second representative of the Romanov tree. During his reign, the Cathedral Code was established, a census of draft houses was carried out and the male population was censused. Alexei Mikhailovich finally attached the peasants to their place of residence. New institutions were founded: the orders of Secret Affairs, Accounting, Reitar and Grain Affairs. During the time of Alexei Mikhailovich, a church schism began, after the innovations, the Old Believers appeared, who did not accept the new rules.

In 1654, Russia was united with Ukraine, and the colonization of Siberia continued. By order of the king, copper money was issued. An unsuccessful attempt at a high duty on salt was also introduced, which caused salt riots.

Fedor Alekseevich (1676 - 1682)

Son of Alexei Mikhailovich and first wife Maria Miloslavskaya. He was very painful, like all the children of Tsar Alexei from his first wife. He suffered from scurvy and other diseases. Fedor was declared heir after the death of his older brother Alexei. He ascended the throne at the age of fifteen. Fedor was very educated. During his short reign, a complete census of the population was carried out. A direct tax was introduced. Localism was destroyed and digit books were burned. This ruled out the possibility of the boyars to occupy commanding positions on the basis of the merits of their ancestors.

There was a war with the Turks and the Crimean Khanate in 1676-1681. Left-bank Ukraine and Kyiv were recognized by Russia. Repressions against the Old Believers continued. Fedor left no heirs, died at the age of twenty, presumably from scurvy.

John the Fifth (1682 - 1696)

After the death of Fyodor Alekseevich, a twofold situation arose. He left two brothers, but John was in poor health and mind, and Peter (the son of Alexei Mikhailovich from his second wife) was small in age. The boyars decided to put both brothers in power, and their sister Sofya Alekseevna became their regent. He has never been involved in public affairs. All power was concentrated in the hands of the sister and the Naryshkin family. The princess continued her struggle with the Old Believers. Russia concluded a profitable "eternal peace" with Poland and an unfavorable treaty with China. She was overthrown in 1696 by Peter the Great and tonsured a nun.

Peter the Great (1682 - 1725)

The first emperor of Russia, known as Peter the Great. He ascended the Russian throne together with his brother Ivan at the age of ten. Before 1696 rules together with him under the regency of Sister Sophia. Peter traveled to Europe, learned new crafts and shipbuilding. Turned Russia towards Western European countries. This is one of the most significant reformers in the country.

His main bills include: the reform of local self-government and central government, the creation of the Senate and Collegia, the Synod and the General Regulations were organized. Peter ordered to re-equip the army, introduced a regular set of recruits, created a strong fleet. The mining, textile and processing industries began to develop, monetary and educational reforms were carried out.

Under Peter, wars were fought to seize access to the sea: the Azov campaigns, the victorious Northern War, which gave access to the Baltic Sea. Russia expanded to the East and towards the Caspian Sea.

Catherine the First (1725 - 1727)

The second wife of Peter the Great. Took the throne, because the last will of the emperor remained unclear. In the two years of the reign of the empress, all power was concentrated in the hands of Menshikov and the Privy Council. During the time of Catherine the Great, the Supreme Privy Council was created, the role of the Senate was reduced to a minimum. Long wars during the time of Peter the Great affected the country's finances. Bread became more expensive, famine began in Russia, and the empress lowered the poll tax. There were no major wars in the country. The time of Catherine the Great became famous for the fact that Bering's expedition to the Far North was organized.

Peter II (1727 - 1730)

Grandson of Peter the Great, son of his eldest son Alexei (who was executed at the behest of his father). He took the throne at only 11 years old, the real power was in the hands of the Menshikovs, and then the Dolgorukov family. Due to his age, he did not have time to show any interest in state affairs.

The traditions of the boyars and outdated orders began to revive. The army and navy fell into decay. There was an attempt to restore the patriarchate. As a result, the influence of the Privy Council increased, the members of which invited Anna Ioannovna to reign. During the time of Peter the Great, the capital was moved to Moscow. The emperor died at the age of 14 from smallpox.

Anna Ioannovna (1730 - 1740)

The fourth daughter of Tsar John the Fifth. She was sent by Peter the Great to Courland and married to a duke, but was widowed after a couple of months. After the death of Peter II, she was invited to reign, but her powers were limited to the nobles. However, the Empress restored absolutism. The period of her reign went down in history under the name "Bironism", by the name of Biron's favorite.

Under Anna Ioannovna, the Office of Secret Investigation Affairs was established, which carried out reprisals against the nobles. The fleet was reformed and the construction of ships, which had been slowed down in recent decades, was restored. The Empress restored the powers of the Senate. In foreign policy, the tradition of Peter the Great was continued. As a result of the wars, Russia received Azov (but without the right to maintain a fleet in it) and part of the right-bank Ukraine, Kabarda in the North Caucasus.

John the Sixth (1740 - 1741)

Great-grandson of John the Fifth, son of his daughter Anna Leopoldovna. Anna Ioannovna had no children, but she wanted to leave the throne to her father's descendants. Therefore, before her death, she appointed her great-nephew as her successor, and in the event of his death, the subsequent children of Anna Leopoldovna.

The emperor ascended the throne at the age of two months. His first regent was Biron, a couple of months later there was a palace coup, Biron was sent into exile, and John's mother became regent. But she was delusional, incapable of ruling. Her favorites - Minich, and later Osterman, were overthrown during a new coup, and the little prince was arrested. The emperor spent his entire life in captivity, in the Shlisselburg fortress. They tried to free him many times. One of these attempts ended in the assassination of John the Sixth.

Elizaveta Petrovna (1741 - 1762)

Daughter of Peter the Great and Catherine the First. She ascended the throne as a result of a palace coup. She continued the policy of Peter the Great, finally restored the role of the Senate and many Colleges, and abolished the Cabinet of Ministers. Conducted a population census and implemented new taxation reforms. On the cultural side, her reign went down in history as the Age of Enlightenment. In the 18th century, the first university, the Academy of Arts, and the Imperial Theater were opened.

In foreign policy, she adhered to the precepts of Peter the Great. During the years of her power, the victorious Russo-Swedish War and the Seven Years' War against Prussia, England and Portugal took place. Immediately after the victory of Russia, the empress died, leaving no heirs behind. And Emperor Peter the Third gave all the territories received back to the Prussian King Frederick.

Peter the Third (1762 - 1762)

Grandson of Peter the Great, son of his daughter Anna Petrovna. He reigned for only six months, then, as a result of a palace coup, he was overthrown by his wife Catherine II, and a little later he lost his life. At first, historians assessed the period of his reign as negative for the history of Russia. But then they appreciated a number of the emperor's merits.

Peter abolished the Secret Chancellery, began the secularization (confiscation) of church lands, and stopped persecuting the Old Believers. Adopted the Manifesto on the Liberty of the Nobility. Among the negative aspects is the complete annulment of the results of the Seven Years' War and the return to Prussia of all the recaptured territories. He died almost immediately after the coup due to unexplained circumstances.

Catherine II (1762 - 1796)

The wife of Peter the Third, came to power as a result of a palace coup, overthrowing her husband. Her era went down in history as a period of maximum enslavement of the peasants and extensive privileges for the nobles. So Catherine tried to thank the nobles for the power she had received and strengthen her forces.

The period of government went down in history as "the policy of enlightened absolutism." Under Catherine, the Senate was reorganized, the provincial reform passed, and the Legislative Commission was convened. The secularization of land near the church was completed. Catherine II carried out reforms in almost every area. Police, city, judicial, educational, monetary, customs reforms were carried out. Russia continued to expand its borders. As a result of the wars, Crimea, the Black Sea region, Western Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania were annexed. Despite significant successes, the era of Catherine is known as a period of flourishing corruption and favoritism.

Paul the First (1796 - 1801)

Son of Catherine II and Peter III. Relations between the Empress and her son were strained. Catherine saw her grandson Alexander on the Russian throne. But before her death, the will disappeared, so the power passed to Paul. The sovereign issued a law on succession to the throne and stopped the opportunity for women to rule the country. The eldest male representative became the ruler. The positions of the nobles were weakened and the position of the peasants was improved (a law on a three-day corvee was adopted, the poll tax was abolished, and the separate sale of family members was prohibited). Administrative and military reforms were carried out. Drilling and censorship intensified.

Under Paul, Russia joined the anti-French coalition, and troops led by Suvorov liberated Northern Italy from the French. Paul also prepared a campaign against India. He was killed in 1801 during a palace coup organized by his son Alexander.

Alexander the First (1801 - 1825)

Eldest son of Paul I. He went down in history as Alexander the Blessed. He carried out moderate-liberal reforms, Speransky and members of the Private Committee became their developer. The reforms consisted in an attempt to weaken serfdom (decree on free cultivators), replacing Peter's collegiums with ministries. A military reform was carried out, according to which military settlements were formed. They contributed to the maintenance of a standing army.

In foreign policy, Alexander maneuvered between England and France, moving closer to one or the other country. Part of Georgia, Finland, Bessarabia, part of Poland joined Russia. Alexander won the Patriotic War of 1812 with Napoleon. He died unexpectedly in 1825, which gave rise to rumors that the king had gone into a hermitage.

Nicholas the First (1825 - 1855)

Third son of Emperor Paul. He rose to reign, since Alexander the First left no heirs, and the second brother Constantine renounced the throne. The first days of his accession began with the Decembrist uprising, which the emperor suppressed. The emperor tightened the state of the country, his policy was aimed against the reforms and indulgences of Alexander the First. Nicholas was severe, for which he was nicknamed Palkin (punishment with sticks was the most common in his time).

During the time of Nicholas, the Secret Police was created, tracking future revolutionaries, the laws of the Russian Empire were codified, the monetary reform of Kankrin and the reform of state peasants were carried out. Russia participated in wars with Turkey and Persia. At the end of the reign of Nicholas, the difficult Crimean War took place, but the emperor died before he lived to see its end.

Alexander II (1855 - 1881)

The eldest son of Nicholas, went down in history as a great reformer who ruled in the 19th century. In history, Alexander II was called the Liberator. The emperor had to end the bloody Crimean War, as a result, Russia signed an agreement that infringes on its interests. The great reforms of the emperor include: the abolition of serfdom, the modernization of the financial system, the elimination of military settlements, the reform of secondary and higher education, the judicial and zemstvo reforms, the improvement of local government and the military reform, during which the rejection of recruits and the introduction of universal military service.

In foreign policy, he adhered to the course of Catherine II. Victories were won in the Caucasian and Russian-Turkish wars. Despite the great reforms, the growth of public discontent continued. The emperor died as a result of a successful terrorist attack.

Alexander the Third (1881 - 1894)

During his reign, Russia did not conduct a single war, for which Alexander III was named Emperor the Peacemaker. He adhered to conservative views and carried out a number of counter-reforms, unlike his father. Alexander the Third adopted the Manifesto on the inviolability of autocracy, increased administrative pressure, and destroyed university self-government.

During his reign, the law "On Cook's Children" was adopted. It limited the possibility of education for children from the lower strata. The situation of the liberated peasants improved. The Peasants' Bank was opened, redemption payments were lowered, and the poll tax was abolished. The emperor's foreign policy was characterized by openness and peacefulness.

Nicholas II (1894 - 1917)

The last emperor of Russia and the representative of the Romanov dynasty on the throne. His reign was characterized by rapid economic development and the growth of the revolutionary movement. Nicholas II decided to go to war with Japan (1904-1905), which was lost. This increased public discontent and led to the revolution (1905-1907). As a result, Nicholas II signed a decree on the creation of a Duma. Russia became a constitutional monarchy.

By order of Nicholas, at the beginning of the 20th century, an agrarian reform (Stolypin's project), a monetary reform (Witte's project) were carried out, and the army was modernized. In 1914, Russia was drawn into the First World War. Which led to the strengthening of the revolutionary movement and the discontent of the people. In February 1917, a revolution took place, and Nicholas was forced to abdicate. He was shot along with his family and courtiers in 1918. The imperial family is canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Georgy Lvov (1917 - 1917)

Russian politician, held power from March to July 1917. He was the head of the Provisional Government, bore the title of prince, descended from distant branches of the Rurikovich. He was appointed by Nicholas II after signing the abdication. He was a member of the first State Duma. He worked as the head of the Moscow City Duma. During the First World War, he created an alliance to help the wounded and was engaged in the delivery of food and medicine to hospitals. After the failure in the June offensive at the front and the July uprising of the Bolsheviks, Georgy Evgenievich Lvov voluntarily resigned.

Alexander Kerensky (1917 - 1917)

He was the head of the Provisional Government from July to October 1917, until the October socialist revolution. He was a lawyer by education, was a member of the Fourth State Duma, a member of the Socialist-Revolutionary Party. Alexander was Minister of Justice and Minister of War of the Provisional Government until July. Then he became chairman of the government, retaining the post of military and naval minister. He was overthrown during the October Revolution and fled from Russia. He lived all his life in exile, died in 1970.

Vladimir Lenin (1917 - 1924)

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov is a major Russian revolutionary. Leader of the Bolshevik Party, theorist of Marxism. During the October Revolution, the Bolshevik Party came to power. Vladimir Lenin became the leader of the country and the creator of the first socialist state in the history of the world.

During the reign of Lenin, World War I ended in 1918. Russia signed a humiliating peace and lost part of the territories of the southern regions (later they again became part of the country). Important decrees on peace, land and power were signed. Until 1922, the Civil War continued, in which the Bolshevik army won. A labor reform was passed, a clear working day was established, mandatory days off and holidays. All workers were entitled to a pension. Everyone has the right to free education and health care. The capital was moved to Moscow. The USSR was created.

Along with many social reforms, religion was persecuted. Almost all churches and monasteries were closed, property was liquidated or plundered. Mass terror and executions continued, an unbearable surplus appraisal (a tax in grain and products paid by the peasants), an exodus of the intelligentsia and the cultural elite was introduced. He died in 1924, in recent years he was ill and practically cannot lead the country. This is the only person whose body is still embalmed in Red Square.

Joseph Stalin (1924 - 1953)

In the course of numerous intrigues, Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili became the leader of the country. Soviet revolutionary, supporter of Marxism. The timing of his reign is still considered ambiguous. Stalin directed the development of the country towards mass industrialization and collectivization. Formed a super-centralized administrative-command system. His rule became an example of a rigid autocracy.

Heavy industry was actively developing in the country, there was an increase in the construction of factories, reservoirs, canals and other large-scale projects. But often the work was done by prisoners. The time of Stalin was remembered for mass terror, conspiracies against many intellectuals, executions, deportation of peoples, violation of fundamental human rights. The personality cult of Stalin and Lenin flourished.

Stalin was the supreme commander during the Great Patriotic War. Under his leadership, the Soviet army won a victory in the USSR and reached Berlin, an act of unconditional surrender of Germany was signed. Stalin died in 1953.

Nikita Khrushchev (1953 - 1962)

Khrushchev's rule is called the "thaw". During his leadership, many political "criminals" were released or commuted, and ideological censorship was reduced. The USSR actively explored space, and for the first time under Nikita Sergeevich, our cosmonauts flew into outer space. The construction of residential buildings developed at an active pace to provide young families with apartments.

Khrushchev's policy was aimed at combating personal farming. He forbade collective farmers to keep personal livestock. The corn campaign was actively carried out - an attempt to make corn the main crop. Virgin lands were massively developed. Khrushchev's reign was remembered for the Novocherkassk execution of workers, the Caribbean crisis, the beginning of the Cold War, and the construction of the Berlin Wall. Khrushchev was removed from the post of First Secretary as a result of a conspiracy.

Leonid Brezhnev (1962 - 1982)

The period of Brezhnev's rule in history was called the "era of stagnation". Nevertheless, in 2013 he was recognized as the best leader of the USSR. Heavy industry continued to develop in the country, and the light sector grew at a minimal pace. In 1972, the anti-alcohol campaign passed, and the volume of alcohol production decreased, but the shadow sector of the distribution of the surrogate increased.

Under the leadership of Leonid Brezhnev, the Afghan war was unleashed in 1979. The international policy of the Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU was aimed at defusing world tension in connection with the Cold War. France signed a joint statement on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In 1980, the Summer Olympics were held in Moscow.

Yuri Andropov (1982 - 1984)

Andropov was the chairman of the KGB from 1967 to 1982, which could not but be reflected in the short period of his rule. The role of the KGB was strengthened. Special subdivisions were created to supervise enterprises and organizations of the USSR. A large-scale campaign was held to strengthen labor discipline at factories. Yuri Andropov began a general purge of the party apparatus. There were high-profile trials on corruption issues. Planned to begin the modernization of the political apparatus and a series of economic reforms. Andropov died in 1984 as a result of kidney failure due to gout.

Konstantin Chernenko (1984 - 1985)

Chernenko got into the leadership of the state at the age of 72, already having serious health problems. And was considered just an intermediate figure. He was in power for a little less than a year. Historians disagree on the role of Konstantin Chernenko. Some believe that he hindered Andropov's undertakings by hiding corruption cases. Others believe that Chernenko was a successor to the policy of his predecessor. Konstantin Ustinovich died of cardiac arrest in March 1985.

Mikhail Gorbachev (1985 - 1991)

He became the last general secretary of the party and the last leader of the USSR. Gorbachev's role in the life of the country is considered ambiguous. He has received many awards, the most prestigious being the Nobel Peace Prize. Under him, cardinal reforms were carried out and the policy of the state was changed. Gorbachev outlined a course for "perestroika" - the introduction of market relations, the democratic development of the country, publicity and freedom of speech. All this led the unprepared country to a deep crisis. Under Mikhail Sergeyevich, Soviet troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan, and the Cold War ended. The USSR and the Warsaw bloc collapsed.

Table of the reign of Russian tsars

A table representing all the rulers of Russia in chronological order. Next to the name of each king, emperor and head of state is the time of his reign. The scheme gives an idea of ​​the sequence of monarchs.

Such a great country as Russia should naturally be very rich in history. And indeed it is! Here you can see what were Russian rulers and you can read biographies of Russian princes, presidents and other rulers. I decided to provide you with a list of the rulers of Russia, where each will have a short biography under the cut (next to the name of the ruler, click on this icon " [+] “to open a biography under the cut), and then, if the ruler is iconic, a link to the full article, which will be very useful for both schoolchildren and students and everyone who is interested in the history of Russia. The list of rulers will be replenished, Russia really had a lot of rulers and each one is worthy of a detailed review. But, alas, I don’t have so many forces, so everything will be gradual. In general, here is a list of the rulers of Russia, where you will find the biographies of the rulers, their photographs and the dates of their reign.

Novgorod princes:

Kyiv Grand Dukes:

• (912 - autumn 945)

  

  Grand Duke Igor is a controversial character in our history. Historical chronicles give different information about him, starting from the date of birth and ending with the cause of his death. It is generally accepted that Igor is the son of the prince of Novgorod, although there are inconsistencies in the age of the prince in different sources ...

• (autumn 945 - after 964)

  Princess Olga is one of the great women of Russia. Regarding the date and place of birth, ancient chronicles give very contradictory information. It is possible that Princess Olga is the daughter of the one called the Prophetic, or maybe her ancestry comes from Bulgaria from Prince Boris, or she was born in a village near Pskov, and again there are two options: an humble family and the ancient princely family of the Izborskys.

• (after 964 - spring 972)
  The Russian prince Svyatoslav was born in 942. His parents were - who became famous for the war with the Pechenegs and campaigns against Byzantium and. When Svyatoslav was only three years old, he lost his father. Prince Igor collected an unbearable tribute from the Drevlyans, for which he was brutally killed by them. The widowed princess decided to take revenge on these tribes and sent the princely army on a campaign, which was led by the young prince under the tutelage of the governor Sveneld. As you know, the Drevlyans were defeated, and their city Ikorosten was completely destroyed.
  
• Yaropolk Svyatoslavich (972-978 or 980)
• (June 11, 978 or 980 - July 15, 1015)

  

  One of the greatest names in the fate of Kievan Rus is Vladimir the Holy (Baptist). This name is shrouded in a veil of legends and secrets, epics and myths were composed about this man, in which Prince Vladimir the Red Sun was invariably called his bright and warm name. And according to the chronicles, the Prince of Kyiv was born around 960 as a half-breed, as contemporaries would say. His father was a mighty prince, and his mother was a simple slave Malusha, who was in the service of, from the small town of Lyubech.

• (1015 - autumn 1016) Prince Svyatopolk the Accursed is the son of Yaropolk, after whose death he adopted the boy. Svyatopolk wanted great power during the life of Vladimir and prepared a conspiracy against him. However, he became a full-fledged ruler only after the death of his stepfather. He earned the throne in a dirty way - he killed all the direct heirs of Vladimir.
• (autumn 1016 - summer 1018)

  Prince Yaroslav I Vladimirovich the Wise was born in 978. The chronicles do not provide a description of his appearance. It is known that Yaroslav was lame: the first version says that since childhood, and the second - this was a consequence of one of the wounds in the battle. The chronicler Nestor, describing his character, mentions his great mind, prudence, devotion to the Orthodox faith, courage and compassion for the poor. Prince Yaroslav the Wise, unlike his father, who loved to arrange feasts, led a modest lifestyle. Great devotion to the Orthodox faith sometimes turned into superstition. As mentioned in the chronicle, by his order, the bones of Yaropolk were dug and, and, after illumination, they were reburied in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos. With this act, Yaroslav wanted to save their souls from torment.

• Izyaslav Yaroslavich (February 1054 - September 15, 1068)
• Vseslav Bryachislavich (September 15, 1068 - April 1069)
• Svyatoslav Yaroslavich (March 22, 1073 - December 27, 1076)
• Vsevolod Yaroslavich (January 1, 1077 - July 1077)
• Svyatopolk Izyaslavich (April 24, 1093 - April 16, 1113)
• (April 20, 1113 – May 19, 1125) The grandson and son of the Byzantine princess - went down in history as Vladimir Monomakh. Why Monomakh? There are suggestions that he took this nickname from his mother, the Byzantine princess Anna, the daughter of the Byzantine king Constantine Monomakh. There are other assumptions about the nickname Monomakh. Allegedly, after a campaign in Taurida, against the Genoese, where he killed the Genoese prince in a duel during the capture of Kafa. And the word monomakh is translated as a single combatant. Now, of course, it is difficult to judge the correctness of this or that opinion, but it was with such a name as Vladimir Monomakh that the chroniclers captured it.
• (May 20, 1125 – April 15, 1132) Having inherited a strong power, Prince Mstislav the Great not only continued the work of his father, Prince Vladimir Monomakh of Kyiv, but also made every effort to ensure the prosperity of the Fatherland. Therefore, the memory remained in history. And his ancestors called him - Mstislav the Great.
• (April 17, 1132 - February 18, 1139) Yaropolk Vladimirovich was the son of a great Russian prince and was born in 1082. No information has been preserved about the childhood years of this ruler. The first mention in history of this prince refers to 1103, when he, together with his retinue, went to war against the Polovtsians. After this victory in 1114, Vladimir Monomakh entrusted his son with the management of the Pereyaslav volost.
• Vyacheslav Vladimirovich (February 22 - March 4, 1139)
• (March 5, 1139 - July 30, 1146)
• Igor Olgovich (until August 13, 1146)
• Izyaslav Mstislavich (August 13, 1146 - August 23, 1149)
• (August 28, 1149 - summer 1150)
  This prince of Kievan Rus went down in history thanks to two great achievements - the founding of Moscow by the heyday of the North-Eastern part of Russia. Until now, historians are debating about when Yuri Dolgoruky was born. Some chroniclers claim that this happened in 1090, while others are of the opinion that this significant event took place around 1095-1097. His father was the Grand Duke of Kyiv -. Almost nothing is known about the mother of this ruler, except that she was the second wife of the prince.
• Rostislav Mstislavich (1154-1155)
• Izyaslav Davydovich (winter 1155)
• Mstislav Izyaslavich (December 22, 1158 - spring 1159)
• Vladimir Mstislavich (spring 1167)
• Gleb Yurievich (March 12, 1169 - February 1170)
• Mikhalko Yurievich (1171)
• Roman Rostislavich (July 1, 1171 - February 1173)
• (February - March 24, 1173), Yaropolk Rostislavich (co-ruler)
• Rurik Rostislavich (March 24 - September 1173)
• Yaroslav Izyaslavich (November 1173-1174)
• Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich (1174)
• Ingvar Yaroslavich (1201 - January 2, 1203)
• Rostislav Rurikovich (1204-1205)
• Vsevolod Svyatoslavich Chermny (summer 1206-1207)
• Mstislav Romanovich (1212 or 1214 - June 2, 1223)
• Vladimir Rurikovich (June 16, 1223-1235)
• Izyaslav (Mstislavich or Vladimirovich) (1235-1236)
• Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (1236-1238)
• Mikhail Vsevolodovich (1238-1240)
• Rostislav Mstislavich (1240)
• (1240)

Vladimir Grand Dukes

• (1157 - 29 June 1174)
  Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky was born in 1110, was the son and grandson of . As a young man, the prince was named Bogolyubsky for his especially reverent attitude towards God and the habit of always turning to Scripture.
• Yaropolk Rostislavich (1174 - June 15, 1175)
• Yuri Vsevolodovich (1212 - April 27, 1216)
• Konstantin Vsevolodovich (Spring 1216 - February 2, 1218)
• Yuri Vsevolodovich (February 1218 - March 4, 1238)
• Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich (1246-1248)
• (1248-1248/1249)
• Andrei Yaroslavich (December 1249 - July 24, 1252)
• (1252 - 14 November 1263)
  In 1220, Prince Alexander Nevsky was born in Pereyaslav-Zallesk. Still, being very young, he accompanied his father in all campaigns. When the young man was 16 years old, his father Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, due to his departure to Kyiv, entrusted Prince Alexander with the throne in Novgorod.
• Yaroslav Yaroslavich of Tver (1263-1272)
• Vasily Yaroslavich of Kostroma (1272 - January 1277)
• Dmitry Alexandrovich Pereyaslavsky (1277-1281)
• Andrei Alexandrovich Gorodetsky (1281-1283)
• (autumn 1304 - 22 November 1318)
• Yuri Danilovich of Moscow (1318 - November 2, 1322)
• Dmitry Mikhailovich Terrible Eyes of Tver (1322 - September 15, 1326)
• Alexander Mikhailovich of Tverskoy (1326-1328)
• Alexander Vasilievich of Suzdal (1328-1331), Ivan Danilovich Kalita of Moscow (1328-1331) (co-ruler)
• (1331 - 31 March 1340) Prince Ivan Kalita was born in Moscow around 1282. But the exact date, unfortunately, is not set. Ivan was the second son of the Moscow prince Danila Alexandrovich. The biography of Ivan Kalita until 1304 was not marked with practically anything significant and important.
• Semyon Ivanovich Proud of Moscow (October 1, 1340 - April 26, 1353)
• Ivan Ivanovich Red of Moscow (March 25, 1353 - November 13, 1359)
• Dmitry Konstantinovich of Suzdal-Nizhny Novgorod (June 22, 1360 - January 1363)
• Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy of Moscow (1363)
• Vasily Dmitrievich of Moscow (August 15, 1389 - February 27, 1425)

Moscow princes and Moscow grand dukes

Russian emperors

• (October 22, 1721 - January 28, 1725) The biography of Peter the Great deserves special attention. The fact is that Peter 1 belongs to the group of Russian emperors who made a huge contribution to the history of the development of our country. This article tells about the life of a great man, about the role he played in the transformation of Russia.

  _____________________________

  Also on my site there are a number of articles about Peter the Great. If you want to thoroughly study the history of this outstanding ruler, then please read the following articles from my website:

  _____________________________

• (January 28, 1725 – May 6, 1727)
  Catherine 1 was born under the name of Martha, she was born in the family of a Lithuanian peasant. Thus begins the biography of Catherine the Great, the first Empress of the Russian Empire.
  
  
• (May 7, 1727 - January 19, 1730)
  Peter 2 was born in 1715. Already at an early age he became an orphan. First, his mother died, then in 1718, the father of Peter II, Alexei Petrovich, was executed. Peter II was the grandson of Peter the Great, who was absolutely not interested in the fate of his grandson. HE never considered Peter Alekseevich as the heir to the Russian throne.
  
• (February 4, 1730 - October 17, 1740) Anna Ioannovna is known for her difficult character. She was a vindictive and vindictive woman, distinguished by capriciousness. Anna Ioannovna had absolutely no ability to conduct public affairs, while she was not even simply inclined to this.
  
• (October 17, 1740 - November 25, 1741)
• (November 9, 1740 - November 25, 1741)
• (November 25, 1741 - December 25, 1761)
• (December 25, 1761 - June 28, 1762)
• () (June 28, 1762 - November 6, 1796) Many will probably agree that the biography of Catherine 2 is one of the most fascinating stories about the life and reign of an amazing, strong woman. Catherine 2 was born on April 22 / May 2, 1729, in the family of Princess Johanna - Elizabeth and Prince Christian August of Anhalt - Zerbsky.
• (November 6, 1796 - March 11, 1801)
• (Blessed) (March 12, 1801 - November 19, 1825)
• (December 12, 1825 - February 18, 1855)
• (Liberator) (February 18, 1855 - March 1, 1881)
• (Peacemaker) (March 1, 1881 - October 20, 1894)
• (October 20, 1894 - March 2, 1917) The biography of Nicholas II will be quite interesting to many of the inhabitants of our country. Nicholas II was the eldest son of Alexander III, the Russian Emperor. His mother, Maria Feodorovna, was Alexander's wife.

9. Death of Catherine II.
Accession of Paul I
Somehow, the long-prepared primary conspiracy of Catherine II against Paul I (The scale and duration of which are extensive. If we start counting, of course, from 1776, the year of the poisoning, by Catherine II, the first wife of Paul I, Princess Wilhelmina of Darmstadt.), - with the aim of "rolling him past the throne"! - which we already told you about in the first chapter of our essay, did not work.
We, in the note, do not touch on this issue, although it is also interesting, since it turns over everything that we have, with the help of official historians, ideas about the Catherine-Alexandrovsky, 1801, coup. And, contrary to the intention of the impostor, Paul I nevertheless reigned.
There are many reasons and circumstances here: the very sudden death of Catherine II; and the eternal indecision of Alexander I, reinforced by fear, in front of his father. And, by the way: by the very, created then, the atmosphere of suspicion of Paul I, which, as you already know, was noted by Pushkin in his diary. And, even, the very fear, of Catherine's nobles, before the tough temper of Paul I and the fact that, at that time, St. Petersburg, and Moscow, somehow did not work hard! - Masons. Etc.
We will not parse them. Let us dwell only on the main events of the accession itself, already 42 years old, Paul I. Events that are direct - and directly! - touch - the most important secret desecration, by Tsar Nicholas I, both of Pushkin's name and his grave in the Svyatogorsk monastery. And, in short, they are.
At a quarter past midnight, November 6, 1796, Catherine II died. Pushkin, on the other hand, takes her “death” in The Queen of Spades, as you already know, “at a quarter to three” at night. He takes it in order to single it out again in order to smoothly “translate” his inattentive readers - in time, of course! - in the following days.
Which will cause the capture, by P. Vyazemsky, of the moment of the poet's death, on January 29, 1837, exactly "at a quarter to three", but only, of course, in the afternoon. By the way, the Vyazemsky spouses were constantly “on duty” in the poet’s house: and on the night of the 27th to the 28th; and on the night of the 28th to the 29th of January, in order to "catch" - exactly the night "a quarter to three". This is clearly seen - from the diary of A.I. Turgenev.
He became emperor, as you already know from the second chapter of our essay, through the Privy Council, organized by the will of the already deceased Catherine II, Count A.A. Beardless! - it was Paul I. And he reigned, as they write to us, - almost with rapture! - official historians, four years, four months and four days. And to revel here - with such accuracy (With all signs of some mysticism.)! - probably not worth it.
Most likely, that to the Russian Freemasons, fulfilling the will of the already deceased Catherine II, but not to the dead English and Prussians standing behind her! - it was somewhat boring to kill right away - like Peter III in 1762! - the newly-appeared Emperor Paul I. And evidence of this, as the historian-playwright E. Radzinsky tells us! - the fact that it was Count A. Bezborodko who not only gathered the above-mentioned Privy Council, but was also the first to propose the candidacy of Paul I to the emperors, at the Council.
Therefore, probably, they created some mysticism. This is their kind of “black mark”. And they really created mysticism because Paul I finally “got” them. "I got it," to put it in youth vocabulary, because of the rapprochement with Napoleon.
By the way, Paul, becoming emperor precisely at the suggestion - and personal initiative! - Count A. Bezborodko, nevertheless, was distrustful of the count himself. He only gave him a "prince" about six months later. And, then, made him, and chancellor. This is where the story with A. Bezborodko ended, because after some time he would die. But the Orlovs, Zubovs and other Catherine's grandees will not die. Which, presumably, will continue the plan of Catherine II, begun by Catherine II and Count A. Bezborodko.
We will give it to you right here - to expand your knowledge about the last months of the life of Catherine the Great! - and some information from the TV show "Searchers", on the ORT channel, May 30, 2006. The main essence, it, is reduced approximately to the following. Will, Catherine II, was not. Comment by V.B. - But there was her plan to “roll Pavel past the throne with the accession of her grandson, Alexander”, which, as you will see below, was well known not only by Russian Masons, but also by their masters, the British and Prussians. .
In August 1796, a comet appeared over St. Petersburg, foreshadowing, according to superstition, something bad. After Catherine II, in conversations with her closest noble entourage, - A. Bezborodko, P. Zubov! She said that she was weakening. In September 1796 she had her first stroke, on November 5th her second, and on November 6th she would die.
The Privy Council did indeed convene A.A. Bezborodko. He also gave a candidacy, for emperors, namely Paul. But Paul I reacted to Bezborodko himself with suspicion. Only six months later, he gave him the title of "prince". And, then, made him, and chancellor. However, A. Bezborodko was already seriously ill. He will die in 1799. So Paul became, as the "Searchers" said, "the emperor by the grace of God."
They gave The Searchers and a kind of epilogue to their program. The main meaning of which is concluded approximately as follows. Catherine II did not leave a will, but Paul I left, as a legacy, some document. On which he wrote: “Open in a hundred years. Burn after reading. And, as the same "Searchers" testify, this document was opened by Emperor Nicholas II. I read it and burned it.
xxx
However, let us return to the events highlighted at the beginning of the section, precisely after the accession of Paul I. And then the usual, for these cases, ceremonies began. Catherine was "dressed" like an empress in a white satin dress. They put her from the mattress on which she was placed into a prepared coffin. And they transferred the coffin, with the body of the deceased, to the court church.
Here, it turns out, where in the conspiracy of Tsar Nicholas I, against Pushkin, will appear - it is the court church. Appears despite even the announcement of N.N. Pushkin, announcing that the funeral service or memorial service, according to Pushkin, will take place on February 1, 1837, in St. Isaac's Cathedral. The fact, by the way, is documentary. In addition, the house in which Pushkin lived belonged to the parish of the named cathedral.
We have already told you a little about the Stable Court Church above (And there will be a special conversation about it, below and, of course, in subsequent brochures of our book cycle; - explanation by V.B.). In general, in it, in the court church, after the Privy Council, Paul I appeared. Where, the majority of the courtiers, began to swear allegiance to the newly-appeared emperor who had appeared for this purpose in the church.
Here is the “white dress” of the mother, lying in the church, already in the coffin, and reminded Paul I: both of the rumors that circulated in St. Petersburg that Peter III was not his father, and of the murder by Alexei Orlov, in Ropsha, in 1762 year, - Peter III. It reminded him of rumors that had also been around for a long time - but also very vague and vague! - reached the 42-year-old newly-minted king. Which made him send for Count Alexei Orlov. To bring him to the church to take the oath to the new emperor.
It seems that Alexei Orlov will not go to church and will swear allegiance to Paul I in his palace. This is not so important. Important is different. After taking the oath, Pavel, remembering the rumors that had just been allocated to you, immediately went to Catherine's office. To learn there as many secrets of the reign of his mother as possible. Including learn as much as possible: about the circumstances of your birth; and about the circumstances of the murder of Peter III in Ropsha. By the way, not only Russian emperors did this, but all the rulers of peoples - and kingdoms! - all over the world! Paul is no exception here.
It is in his mother's office that he stays up that night and learns at least three things. And the first of them will be precisely the “Notes” of Catherine II, addressed, on the package, by Catherine, to him personally: “His Highness, my son, Pavel Petrovich.” What Catherine the impostor and intriguer was up to, creating a package for her son, we don’t know for sure. Most likely - as we already suggested in the second chapter of our essay! - to "ride", "His Highness", namely "past the throne."
There is probably nothing else here. Yes, this is already, and not so important. But we will devote a few lines nevertheless - in order to comply with the principles of narration! - namely, Catherine's "Notes". Notes, a preliminary conversation about which we have already had, as you remember, in the first chapter of our essay.
You already know the main content of them from our first chapter: not Peter III, but the chamberlain of the Elizabethan era, S.V. Saltykov, is, according to the "Notes" of Catherine II herself, the father of Paul I. "Notes", we emphasize again, from beginning to end, are false. And they were intended “personally for Pavel Petrovich”, one must assume (Based on a package specially prepared by Catherine II for her son.), in order for Pavel Petrovich, when Catherine II created, of course, the appropriate conditions and circumstances! - "roll past the throne." And in order to somehow justify the murder by Catherine II, through the Orlov brothers, of her husband, who, upon accession, became Emperor Peter III.
It was in this that they, "Notes", were the main purpose. Even when Catherine II was still alive, to put, on the Russian throne, not Pavel Petrovich, but his son, Alexander Pavlovich! In any case, the nature of the "testamentary document", called "Notes", do not have. However, let us return to the content of the “Notes” mentioned above, since we have not yet told about them.
Let us add to the first chapter that not only Peter III was denigrated in them, but also - and to the strongest degree! - Elizaveta Petrovna herself. The Russian Empress, whom Catherine II "brought out" - in her correspondence with Williams (And in her Notes.)! - boundless Despot and Tyrant. Which - in its specifics - does not correspond to reality.
Their further fate is as follows. Unable to restrain himself from emotions, Paul I let them get acquainted with them - in order, after that, to seal them forever (Not realizing, at the same time, that they would fall into the Russian archive.)! - to one of his courtiers (It seems, if my memory serves me, to Prince Kurakin.). And that one - being very agile and quick-witted! - skillfully dividing them into parts, secretly ordered the scribes to quickly rewrite these parts. What was - soon fulfilled.
So, the called "Notes", Catherine II, and began to secretly "walk" - in the salons of the highest Russian nobility. Which, also multiplying them, in copies, began to store them in their personal libraries. And in the archives. It is precisely through this path, most likely, "Notes", - presumably through the library of Count M.S. Vorontsov! - or, perhaps, through the personal library of officer-agent I.P. Liprandi, got, in southern exile, to Pushkin.
To the poet, who - if we take into account the library of Count Vorontsov! – presumably through Elise. Xaver. Vorontsov, the count's wife, with whom Pushkin had a love affair! - also secretly made from them, through the scribes of Count Vorontsov, a copy in leather binding. Or he made a copy from the "Notes", which may also be in the library of the named officer. An officer who, some researchers, considered an agent of political investigation.
The original named above, sealed by Paul I, ended up in the Russian archive. From which, in 1818, A.I. Turgenev secretly extracted it. Making a copy of it. With the content of this copy, Pushkin got acquainted, in the same year, after reading, by him, “The History of the Russian State” by N.M. Karamzin. See above for more details on this.
Pushkin's copy of the "Notes" of Catherine II was read, as Pushkiniana testifies, and N.N. Pushkin. And according to the poet’s diary entry, dated January 8, 1835, it is clear that Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna also read them: “The Grand Duchess took Catherine II’s Notes from me and goes crazy with them” (See Pushkin’s diary for 1833-35 .).
Here we note that historians, rummaging through the archives, also found earlier copies of Catherine's "Notes" (more precisely, their drafts!). Drafts, rather sharply different, in content, from Catherine's original. They came up with, from all this - and from the praise of Catherine II as the "Great Empress" (that is, similar to Peter the Great.)! - what the hell.
Although the difference itself, in the content of the drafts and the original, clearly and, most importantly, unequivocally indicates that the intriguing Catherine was on the path of falsifying the events she describes in the Notes. She committed falsification, of course, only in the direction of her own interests. Exhibiting everywhere - yourself, of course! - in a favorable, for themselves, light. But let us return to Pushkin.
We emphasize that everything that has just been stated about him, above, is not yet dangerous for the poet. It will be dangerous for him - presumably, of course! - about the following. This is what she secretly met with Pushkin’s copy, from the “Notes” of Catherine II, in the poet’s house, in the absence of Pushkin, of course - and the poet was very often absent, in the house, due to his frequent trips to Moscow, and then and to the Orenburg province to the Pugachev places! - and Idalia Poletika.
Poletika, already secretly perused by the poet, is the second, that is, not yet completely encrypted by the poet, draft of The Queen of Spades. And Poletika, who entered the house of the poet, as a relative of N.N. Pushkina. Which, by the way, was only a pretext for secret surveillance: both of the poet and his work.
And not so indirectly confirms this, as the “posthumous search” itself, by the gendarmes, - by secret order of the tsar! - the poet's papers (By the way, this term was introduced by the Pushkinists, it seems, S. Abramovich, in Soviet times.), and mysterious for Pushkinists, to this day, paragraph No. 1 of the gendarme inventory of the poet's papers. A paragraph written, moreover, in red ink. And the point, behind which, moreover, there was nothing. And the point on which they, the Pushkinists of the past, created, then, the myth of the existence of Pushkin's - of course - the most seditious and main thing! - the poet's diary at number one.
While Pushkin's copy, from the "Notes" of Catherine II, for some reason turned out to be in the library of the Winter Palace. In the library, which the king used most often. Further, about Pushkin's copy, you know from the first chapter of our essay: it will be found - only in 1947. And the Pushkinists will not attach any importance to her already. While it was precisely the named "Notes" - of course, together with the huge secret of the six planned "Queen of Spades"! - and constitute the main "sedition" of the poet. In other words, unlawful sedition and, therefore, forbidden by Nicholas I.
It remains only to highlight that the subsequent tsars of the Catherine's branch: Alexander I, Nicholas I, Alexander II, etc., up to Nicholas II, also secretly got acquainted with the "Notes" of Catherine II. So they knew perfectly well that they were, according to Catherine II herself! - impostors. However, let's continue the conversation, specifically about the events that characterize the accession of Paul I.
And the second, interesting thing for him, were three letters, Alexei Orlov (And he is direct, - and direct! - the killer of Peter the Third.), to Catherine II. Three letters, in which all the circumstances of the murder by Alexei Orlov, with his accomplices, of Peter III were revealed.
The third should include several notes of Peter III to Catherine, to his wife. Notes in which he, humiliated and tearful, asked for mercy and indulgence. And to Catherine, who has, once again, absolutely no rights to the Russian throne because of the dynastic Anglo-Prussian intrigue against Russia.
Which, I think, did not add, Paul I, respect for his mother. Especially in the last years of her reign, when she began to change, herself, lovers - several times a day.
That's all, in its entirety, - and even with a clearly unfriendly attitude, to his mother, who for many years illegally usurped "his throne"! - and infuriated, and so unbalanced, Paul I.
By the way, Paul, especially when he grew up, even in a dream felt like a king. For all the long years of his “non-reign”, he developed so many Russian laws that they were often used by subsequent, his, descendants. During the four years and four months of his reign, he issued 2251 decrees. Which is, of course, a very unusual record. And the law on male succession to the throne, introduced by Paul I in 1797! - strictly carried out by them, until 1917.
And the first thing he will do is after getting acquainted with the main secrets of the reign of Catherine II! - will be the following. He will suspend, if my memory serves me right, all the ceremonies for the burial of Catherine II. The coffin, hers, will remain, for now, in the court church.
And, having suspended all preparations for burial, he will immediately begin to restore - scolded by Catherine II and the Orlovs! - the authority of his father - as the legitimate Russian emperor. Also, on top of that, contemptuously buried by Catherine II - and the Orlov brothers! - not in the Peter and Paul Fortress - as it was supposed to be for the deceased emperor, according to Russian laws, status or protocol, or something! - a - in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. What happened next was approximately, if my memory serves me, the following.