The causes of palace coups in Russia

The epoch of palace coups is the period of Russian history that came after the death of Peter I, when the transfer of power in the state was carried out in violation of the law.

The author of the term is the historian V.O. Klyuchevsky. He also believes that the era of palace coups began in 1725 with the death of Peter the Great, and ended in 1762 after the reign of Catherine II. However, there is a point of view that this troubled time returned in 1801 in connection with the murder of Paul I. Some historians find signs of this era also in the Decembrist uprising.

The main reasons for domestic coups are the lack of clear rules for succession to the throne, the lack of legal political activity; Unresolved contradictions between the monarchical power, the ruling class and the nobility.

Let us consider these reasons in more detail.

In 1722, Peter I issued the "Charter of Succession to the throne," from which the throne could pass to a wide range of persons, and not only to the direct heirs of the monarch. Even for some time before the death of the king there was also the first split. The political group, headed by Apraksin, insisted on the enthronement of the grandson of Peter I with the appointment of the regent of the wife of the monarch, Catherine Alekseevna.

Another group, under the leadership of Prince Menshikov, was going to make Catherine an autocratic sovereign. As a result of cunning intrigues and intervention of the army, Ekaterina Alekseevna was elevated to the throne in 1725. After her death in 1727, the question of power arose again. The throne was transferred to Peter II as a result of a series of intrigues.

The reasons for the palace coups were not based on the desire of the aspirants to change the existing state system or to implement any reforms. A characteristic feature of the era was the battle for power, as they say, "in its pure form." All the warring factions were aimed only at gaining power and personal benefits.

The causes of palace coups after 1727 were associated with the overthrow of Menshikov, who actually ruled the country for 3 years. Being an experienced and cunning diplomat, he still made an important mistake due to the blindness of the authorities. Having spoiled relations with his allies, he quickly lost everything he had longed for. The actual power passes to Dolgoruky and Golitsyn. And again there is a need to look for the heir to the throne, as Peter II dies of smallpox.

Further, the reasons for the palace coups were supplemented by the signing of the Conditutions, which limited the power of Peter's niece Anna Kurlyandskaya (Anna Ioannovna) who ascended to the throne. She signed this document, renouncing a number of powers in favor of the Privy Council. The time of her reign, therefore, was associated with a fierce struggle for power.

After Anna Kurlyandsky publicly broke the Condition, the Dolgoruky family was practically destroyed, and new persons entered the struggle for supremacy, including the favorite of Empress Biron, B.Kh. Minikh and A.P. Volynsky.

The causes of palace coups in Russia were associated not only with the political situation, but also with the personalities of people close to the monarch. In some cases, the ruler was only a nominal figure, but in reality the country was ruled by noblemen.

Since the death of Peter I in 1762 in Russia, five rulers have been replaced. Most coups took place with the participation of the Guard. Some researchers compare this period in the history of Russia with the late Roman Empire, when the change of power took place as often, and the army participated in the coups.

So, we considered palace coups, the reasons of which were in the Charter of the succession to the throne left after the reign of Peter I, and also in the struggle for power between noble families belonging to the ruling elite.

The authorities did not stay long in the same hands, rulers in Russia succeeded each other very quickly. The end of the era came only with the accession of Catherine the Great, who was able to bring order to the state.