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 rather 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 head the state. However, the king violates the established system of inheritance of power and in 1722 issues a decree on his own right in appointing an heir. Prince Menshikov, who at that time with great influence achieved the proclamation of the wife of Peter the Great Catherine the Great as Empress.

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

The reign of Peter II begins on May 18, 1727. Menshikov becomes regent under the young emperor, and Peter himself publishes 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. The second manifesto received field marshal's batons from princes Dolgorukov and Trubetskoy. And Minich receives not only a rod, but also a count's title. At the same time, Menshikov himself becomes a generalissimo during this period.

On May 24, 1727, Peter becomes engaged to Menshikov's eldest daughter, Maria. Dolgoruky, Academician Goldbach, Feofan Prokopovich, and A. I. Osterman are engaged in the education 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 her mind.

Very soon after the engagement, Menshikov leaves Peter because of an illness. During this period, the tsar changes his views on Menshikov's advice, and the engagement with Mary is broken. On September 8, 1727, the beginning of the independent reign of Peter the Second was announced. After that, he moves to Peterhof, and Menshikov (deprived of posts and ranks) goes into exile in the Ryazan province.

On February 24, 1728, the young ruler is crowned king. There is a serious struggle at the court for influence on the young king. 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, the date of the king's wedding was set, but this was not destined to happen, because on February 18, 1730, the king died.

Peter II Alekseevich, Emperor of All Russia (1727-1730), was born on October 12, 1715. His father, Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, died in 1718, his mother, Princess Sophia-Charlotte of Blankenburg, granddaughter of the Duke of Wolfenbüttel, died 10 days after the birth of her son. After the death of Tsarevich Alexei, many considered Peter Alekseevich to be the heir to the throne of Peter I. But after the death of the great reformer, the Russian throne was taken by his second wife, Catherine I (1725-1727). At first she thought of making one of her daughters her successor, but this decision was strongly opposed by the party of the old Russian nobility. For the purpose of personal elevation, Menshikov, who at first did not belong to it, approached this party. Under his influence, Catherine I left a will, in which she ensured the succession to the throne for Peter Alekseevich.

Emperor Peter II. Portrait by an unknown artist, around 1800

Having not received the right upbringing, wayward, prone to laziness and hobbies only for pleasures, the young emperor Peter II, ascended the throne on May 7, 1727. At first, he was under the exclusive influence of the all-powerful Menshikov. He transported Peter II to his house on Vasilyevsky Island, and on May 25 he betrothed him to his daughter, Maria. Menshikov received the title of Generalissimo. At the same time, the fate of the emperor's grandmother, Evdokia Lopukhina, who was transferred from the Ladoga Monastery to Moscow, to Novodevichy, was alleviated. Menshikov managed to remove from Russia the daughter of Peter I and Catherine I, who seemed dangerous to him, Duchess Anna of Holstein with her husband, and his significance reached its highest point.

Maria Menshikova, the first bride of Peter II. Portrait by J. G. Tannauer, 1722-1723

But many nobles intrigued against the ruling temporary worker, especially Osterman, who was considered the tutor of the king, and the princes Dolgoruky. The reprimand of Peter II from Menshikov for extravagance, the latter's accidental departure to Oranienbaum, were the beginning of the fall of the all-powerful favorite. In September 1727, Menshikov was exiled, along with his daughter, the bride-to-be of Peter II, to Berezov.

Emperor Peter II, now left to his own devices, fell under the exclusive influence of the princes Dolgoruky. Ivan Dolgoruky was the closest person to the emperor, a constant companion of his entertainment, and Ivan's father, Alexei, led the affairs of the palace and partly state affairs, sharing power with Osterman and others. At the beginning of 1728, the court went to Moscow for the coronation of the emperor. It took place on February 24, and then Peter II and his entourage finally settled in Moscow. The tsar loved most of all to spend time with his cheerful aunt, the second daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth, and, despite the difference in age, began to show something like a heartfelt attraction to her. But Dolgoruky, wanting to keep power for themselves, November 30, 1729 arranged the betrothal of the emperor with a representative of his kind, Princess Catherine.

Ekaterina Dolgorukova, the second bride of Peter II

Peter II, who devoted himself entirely to pleasures, became especially addicted to hunting and noisy feasts and did not care about his health. His favorite pastimes were hunting with dogs and falcons, fist fights, bear baiting. On January 6, 1730, he was on water blessing, soon fell ill with smallpox and died on the night of January 18-19.

Of the internal affairs of the reign of Peter II, it is important to note: the strengthening of the Supreme Privy Council created under Catherine I; some streamlining of the collection of the poll tax; destruction Chief Magistrate(the supreme body of the system of city self-government created under Peter I). The Little Russian collegium was abolished, and the power of the hetman was restored in Little Russia (in the person of Daniel the Apostle). The Livonian nobility was allowed to convene the Diet in the old way. The "repressive" Preobrazhensky Prikaz was also destroyed, and its affairs were distributed between the Supreme Council and the Senate. In 1729 the Commission of Commerce drew up a "book of exchange charter".

In the external affairs of the era of Peter II, the most important issue was the succession to the throne in Courland. Other questions of a diplomatic-military nature were unimportant.

In the Moscow period of his life, Peter II mainly had fun, leaving the princes Dolgoruky to conduct state affairs. The Dolgorukovs themselves, and especially Ivan Alekseevich, spoke indignantly about the emperor's constant amusements, but, nevertheless, did not interfere with him and did not force him to engage in state affairs. According to the historian Solovyov, foreign envoys reported on the state of affairs in Russia in the following way: Everything in Russia is in a terrible disorder, the tsar does not do business and does not think to do it; money is not paid to anyone, and God knows where the finances will go; everyone steals as much as they can. All members of the Supreme Council are unwell and do not meet; other institutions also stopped their business; abyss of complaints; everyone does what comes to mind. In the Moscow period of his life, Peter II mainly had fun, leaving the princes Dolgoruky to conduct state affairs. The Dolgorukovs themselves, and especially Ivan Alekseevich, spoke indignantly about the emperor's constant amusements, but, nevertheless, did not interfere with him and did not force him to engage in state affairs. According to the historian Solovyov, foreign envoys reported on the state of affairs in Russia in the following way: Everything in Russia is in a terrible disorder, the tsar does not do business and does not think to do it; money is not paid to anyone, and God knows where the finances will go; everyone steals as much as they can. All members of the Supreme Council are unwell and do not meet; other institutions also stopped their business; abyss of complaints; everyone does what comes to mind. - Messages from ambassadors

The future Tsar Peter 2 was born in 1715, on October 23 (12). 10 days after his birth, Sophia-Charlotte of Blankenburg, his mother, died. And at the age of 3, the boy lost his father. Peter 1, the grandfather of Peter 2 Alekseevich, was not involved in his education and upbringing. The childhood and youth of Peter 2 passed in the company of young people from the nobility. Peter 2, a brief biography and whose reign were not too bright (especially when compared with the reign of Peter the Great), already in his youth became attached to the young nobleman Ivan Dolgorukov. By the way, it was with him that the tradition of favoritism in Russia began.

If Peter 1 had not changed the already established system of transfer of power, then his grandson would have inherited him. However, by decree of 1722, he introduced new rules. From now on, the ruler himself had the right to appoint a successor. Taking advantage of this opportunity, His Serene Highness Prince Menshikov elevated Catherine 1 to the Russian throne. Surprisingly, the will of the Empress, who bestowed her favor on the grandson of Peter the Great, was drawn up in his favor.

The accession of the new ruler took place on May 18 (7), 1727. However, the reign of Peter 2 was not independent. Menshikov, who received enormous power, became its regent. In fact, it was he who ruled the country at that time. In order to make the new emperor more popular, Menshikov draws up, and Peter 2 publishes, a manifesto on the cancellation of the debts of serfs and the return of freedom to all who fell into hard labor for debts. In an effort to appease rivals and ill-wishers, the batons of field marshals Dolgorukov and Trubetskoy were granted with the second manifesto. However, Menshikov himself became a generalissimo.

The upbringing of Peter 2 was entrusted to Feofan Prokopovich, Goldbach, Osterman. The life of the young ruler was outwardly quite prosperous. However, in reality things were somewhat different. Menshikov, wanting to further strengthen his position, insisted on the betrothal of Peter 2 with his eldest daughter. But, the girl could not win either Peter's trust or respect.

And soon the position of the Menshikovs changed dramatically. It all started with a serious illness of the Most Serene Prince. He was forced to leave Peter 2, and this was enough for the attitude of the young ruler towards him to completely change. Peter broke off his engagement to Mary. Menshikov - exiled to the Ryazan province. On September 19 (8), 1727, the beginning of the independent reign of Peter 2 was announced. In February of the following year, Peter was crowned king.

Of course, among the nobility there was a serious struggle for the location and influence on the king. Three camps have formed. The Dolgorukies took advantage of the tsar's friendship with a young member of their family, Ivan. Elizaveta Petrovna, Peter II's aunt supported the Golitsyns. And Sister, Natalya Alekseevna, was on the side of Peter's teacher - Osterman. The ruler spent his days in amusements and all kinds of entertainment, leaving all state concerns to his educator. Far from the last role at that time was played by the Supreme Privy Council.

A year after the wedding to the kingdom, it was announced that Catherine Dolgorukaya was the bride of Peter 2. The wedding was scheduled for January 17 (6) of the following year. But, this was not destined to happen. On the day of the wedding, Peter 2 was diagnosed with symptoms of smallpox. He died on January 18th. After the death of Peter 2, there were no male heirs from the Romanov family.

Through his friend Ivan Dolgorukov, in the fall of 1729, the emperor 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, 1729, the betrothal took place in the Lefort Palace. On the other hand, there were rumors that the Dolgorukovs forced the emperor to marry. Observers noted that Peter II treated his bride coldly in public. A wedding was scheduled for January 19, 1730, which did not take place due to the premature death of Peter II.

Meanwhile, there was no unity in the Dolgoruky camp: for example, Alexei Dolgorukov hated his son Ivan, who was also disliked by his sister Ekaterina because he did not allow her to take away the jewels that belonged to the late emperor's sister. In early 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. This meeting was also attended by Elizaveta Petrovna, who talked about the bad attitude of the Dolgorukovs towards her, despite Peter's constant decrees that she should be given proper respect. Probably, the Dolgorukovs had a dislike for her due to the fact that the young emperor was very attached to her, although he was going to marry Ekaterina Dolgorukova.

On the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, 1730, despite the severe frost, Peter II, together with Field Marshal Munnich and Osterman, hosted a parade dedicated to the consecration of water on the Moscow River. When Peter returned home, he developed a fever caused by smallpox. Fearing the death of his patron, Ivan Dolgorukov decided to save the position of his relatives and elevate his sister to the throne. He went to the extreme, forging the will of the emperor. Dolgorukov knew how to copy Peter's handwriting, which entertained him as a child. After Peter's death, Ivan Dolgorukov jumped out into the street, drew his sword and shouted: "Long live Empress Catherine II Alekseevna!" He was immediately arrested and, together with his family and Princess Catherine, was sent into exile for life in Siberia.

At the first hour of the night from January 18 to 19 (30), 1730, the 14-year-old sovereign came to his senses and said: “Lay the horses. I will go to my sister Natalia" - forgetting that she had already died. A few minutes later he died, leaving no descendants or a designated heir. On it, the house of the Romanovs was cut short in the male knee.

The last of the Russian rulers, Peter II was buried in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. On his tombstone (near the southern edge of the northeastern pillar of the cathedral) is the following epitaph:

Foreign policy

Despite the short reign of Peter, Russia's foreign policy in 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, in relation to countering 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 chief Russian ambassador to France and England, Boris Kurakin, ruined these plans.

Relations between Russia and Poland deteriorated significantly due to the fact that the Poles considered Courland, in which Anna Ioannovna ruled, their province and openly said that it should be divided into provinces. Moritz of Saxony, the illegitimate son of the Polish king Augustus II, was refused marriages with Elizaveta Petrovna and Anna Ioannovna.

Relations with the Qing Empire were difficult due to territorial disputes, in connection with which the borders were closed to merchants. China wanted to annex the southern part of Siberia up to Tobolsk, where there were many Chinese inhabitants, and Russia opposed this. On August 20, 1727, Count Raguzinsky concluded an agreement according to which the borders of China remained the same and trade was established between the powers in