Emperor Peter II: biography, features of government, history and reforms

Catherine I and 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 created with great difficulty. It was not for nothing that Peter the Great, before his death, could not choose a worthy heir to whom he could be given a throne with a pure heart.

Particularly worthless was the reign of the grandson of the first Russian emperor.

Parents

The future emperor Peter II is the last representative of the Romanov family in a straight male line. His parents were Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich and the German Princess Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel Charlotte. His father was an unloved child, whom the great father constantly criticized. Alexei's marriage was dynastic and he married by the order of Peter I. Princess Charlotte was also not enthusiastic about the prospect of going to "Muscovy" as the wife of an oddly awkward young man who did not pay attention to her.

Whatever it was, the wedding took place in 1711. The marriage lasted only four years, ending with the death of the spouse after the birth of a boy named after his grandfather Peter.

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 long. The fact is that a few days later his uncle was born. The baby was also called Peter, contrary to all customs, and in February 1718 he was declared an heir bypassing his brother - Alexei. Thus, the childhood of the grandson of the emperor was bleak and orphaned, since he did not have a mother, and the father, who initially did not show any special interest to him, was executed. Even after the death of Petr Petrovich, he was not approached to the court, since the grandfather, who decided to examine the prince, discovered his complete ignorance.

The question of succession to the throne

According to all the dynastic laws after the death of Peter I, his only heir in the male line was to occupy the throne. However, many representatives of the great boyar families, who signed the death sentence to Tsarevich Alexei or who had a relationship with him, were justifiably afraid for their life in the event of the accession to the throne of his son.

So at court two parties were formed: supporting the juvenile Peter and consisting of his opponents. The latter received the strongest support from the emperor, who signed a decree to repeal the previous laws, which allowed the appointment of an heir to anyone whom the monarch considered worthy to occupy the throne. Since Peter the First did not have time to do this in life, his closest companion - Menshikov - managed to put Empress Catherine to the throne. However, the all-powerful prince understood that she would not rule for long, and he had the idea to marry the only Roman male on 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 secured the recognition of the son-in-law to be crowned heir.

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 an heir, but also ordered everyone to contribute to the marriage agreement between him and the daughter of Alexander Menshikov. The last will of the Empress was carried out, however, since Peter II did not reach marriageable age, they limited themselves to announcing the engagement. At the same time, the Supreme Council began to rule the country, which was manipulated by the Sovereign Prince, who was going to become the emperor's father in due course.

Peter II: The Board

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

Nevertheless, Menshikov tried in every possible way to increase the popularity of the young tsar among the people. For this he made two manifestos on his behalf. On the first of them exiled to penal servitude for non-payment of taxes were pardoned, and serfs annulled long-standing debts to the treasury. In addition, the sentences have considerably softened. For example, it was forbidden to publicize the bodies of those executed.

In the sphere of foreign trade, it has long been necessary to carry out radical reform. Peter II, who more precisely ruled for him Alexander Menshikov, reduced the duty on hemp and yarn, exported abroad, in order to increase the revenues of the treasury, and the Siberian fur trade was generally exempt from paying the state a percentage of income.

Another concern of Menshikov was the prevention of palace intrigues in order to overthrow his power. For this he, as he could, tried to caress his long-time associates. In particular, on behalf of the emperor, he appropriated the rank of general-field marshal to the princes Dolgorukov and Trubetskoi, and also to Burchard Minih. Menshikov himself granted the title of Commander-in-Chief and Generalissimo of the Russian Army.

Change of power

With age, the young emperor began to grow cold towards the Menshikovs. On this issue, not the least role played by Osterman, who was his tutor and tried in every possible way to wrest his disciple from the clutches of the Blessed Prince. He was helped by Ivan Dolgoruky, who wanted to marry Peter II on his sister Princess Catherine.

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

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

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

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

Death

On January 6, 1730, after the water-lighting on the Moskva River, Peter II took the military parade and was very cold. On arrival home it turned out that he had smallpox. According to witnesses, in delirium, he was eager to go to his sister Natalia, who died a few years before. The emperor died 12 days later and became the last Russian ruler who was buried in the Kremlin Archangel Cathedral.

Personality of Peter II

According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the emperor-teenager did not differ either intellectually or industriously. In addition, he was poorly educated, which is not surprising, given that he was never properly supervised by adults. His caprices and bad manners often provoked bewilderment among the ambassadors and foreigners who came to Russia and presented to the court. Even if he could live to mature age, it is unlikely that his government would be successful for the country.