The reign of Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740).

Internal and foreign policy successors of Peter I.

1. Catherine I.

Peter 1 did not have time to appoint a successor for himself. The old nobility, who dreamed of returning to the old order, wanted to place the young Peter, the son of the executed for participating in a conspiracy against the father of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, on the throne. But the nobles who came to the fore under Peter 1 advocated transferring the throne to Catherine, the emperor’s widow. The dispute over a successor was resolved by the guards regiments. Subsequently, they constantly participated in palace coups, providing support to one candidate or another. V.O. Klyuchevsky called the time from 1725 to 1762 the era of palace coups.

Menshikov and other representatives new nobility, relying on the guards regiments, they elevated Catherine 1 to the throne. So in 1725, the former laundress became a powerful empress Russian Empire. Together with her, the associates of Peter I, led by Catherine’s favorite Menshikov, came to power. By this time, enormous power was concentrated in his hands.

To support the empress, a new supreme governing body of the country was formed - the Supreme Privy Council, which included seven associates of the late tsar, headed by Menshikov. Without the approval of the Council, not a single decree could be adopted; the collegiums were subordinate to it. Menshikov and other leaders, as they began to be called in ruling circles, had to face difficult problems. Formally, the transformations of Peter I continued.

The poll tax was reduced, a ban was imposed on the use of army units to collect arrears of taxes, service was made easier for the nobles, and the issue of reducing spending on the army and navy was discussed. In foreign policy, Peter's balanced decisions were replaced by ill-considered actions that harmed Russia. Catherine's government brought the country to the brink of war with Denmark for the sake of the interests of the Holstein Duchy, where the Empress's daughter Anna Petrovna was married. Because of Menshikov's personal ambitions, Russia intervened in the conflict over Courland. Careless policies in the south almost led to war with Turkey.

Peter II.

In 1727 Catherine I died, naming her successor the only survivor of male line Romanov, 11-year-old Peter Alekseevich, who ascended the throne under the name Peter P. Until he came of age, he was supposed to be under the control of a collective regent - the Supreme Privy Council.

In the first months of the reign of the Boy Tsar, Menshikov's influence reached its peak. He became virtually the sole regent, transported the tsar to his palace, betrothed his daughter to Peter II, and her name began to be mentioned in churches along with the names of royal persons. Menshikov received the ranks of generalissimo and full admiral. He tried to protect himself from members of the Supreme Privy Council and other influential persons who had become his opponents. P. A. Tolstoy and the commander of the Semenovsky regiment I. Buturlin were sent into exile, with whose help the fate of the throne was decided on the night of Peter I’s death.

Peter II was greatly influenced by his friend, the young prince Ivan Dolgoruky. By the age of 13-14, Peter II was a tall, handsome man, about whom they said that he had a hard heart, a mediocre mind and a huge lust for power. Peter's true passion was hunting, in which he sometimes disappeared for three or four months at a time. Dolgoruky and Osterman skillfully took advantage of these absences, wanting to lead the tsar from under the influence of Menshikov.

Peter II soon announced that he no longer needed assistants and would lead the country himself. He moved from Peter II Menshikov's house to Peterhof and announced his intention to marry Ivan Dolgoruky's sister Catherine.

Increasingly, the transformations of Peter I were ridiculed. The Old Moscow nobility rallied more and more closely around the young tsar.

The building that Menshikov had been building for so long fell apart like a house of cards. The fall of His Serene Highness was rapid. He was deprived of ranks and titles, Russian and foreign orders, including for

Poltava victory, property was confiscated. The sentence was harsh - exile with his family to Siberia, to the village of Berezovo. On the way, his wife died, then his daughter Maria. Soon he himself died of tuberculosis.

Russia was moving further and further away from the achievements and plans of Peter I. Peter II announced the cessation of shipbuilding in the Baltic: When need requires the use of ships, I will go to sea, but I do not intend to walk along it like my grandfather. Under the new government, headed by Dolgoruky and Osterman, steps were taken to improve the damaged economy: some monopolies, including those on the sale of salt, were abolished. Russia sought to avoid being drawn into military conflicts. Peace contributed to the revival of the national economy. In 1730 in Moscow full swing Preparations were underway for the king's wedding. However, a few days before the wedding, the 14-year-old emperor caught a cold and soon died.

The leaders take power. Since there was no direct heir in the male line, the conversation turned to inheritance through the female line. Peter I's daughters Anna (and therefore her son Peter) and Elizabeth were immediately rejected: according to the nobility, their mother, Empress Catherine I, was of vile origin. The Russian noble aristocracy did not forgive Peter I for his choice; now they dictated their will to the country.

The rulers chose the 37-year-old Dowager Duchess of Courland Anna Ioannovna, the daughter of Peter’s co-ruler Ivan Alekseevich who died in 1698, who was completely dependent on the political and material support of Russia.

The leaders began to develop the conditions (conditions) for inviting Anna Ioannovna to the Russian throne. They demanded that the ruler not enter into marriage and not appoint a successor for herself. This would mean that the hereditary monarchy would cease to exist in Russia. The ruler should not have made decisions on key issues without the consent of the Supreme Privy Council. Autocratic power was thus limited. The Empress did not have the right to declare war and make peace, to burden her subjects with new taxes, to introduce military ranks above the rank of colonel. The Guard and other army units came under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Privy Council. Without a trial, the ruler did not dare to take away estates and property from the nobles and, of her own free will, provide them with estates and lands inhabited by peasants. Anna Ioannovna was obliged not to elevate nobles to court ranks without the knowledge of the Council. In addition, the leaders wanted to put the country's budget under their control. The condition ended with the phrase: And if I don’t fulfill this promise and don’t keep it, then I will be deprived of the Russian crown.

Anna Ioannovna signed the conditions and began to get ready for Moscow. The project of the supreme leaders excited the entire noble class. The leaders were confused and tried to maneuver in order to maintain the power they had seized.

Anna Ioannovna had information about all this full information. When approaching Moscow, she stopped for several days in one of the villages, where a deputation from the Preobrazhensky regiment and cavalry guards vigorously welcomed her and demanded the restoration of autocracy.

Anna Ioannovna demanded to bring the conditioners and tore them up in front of the audience. Thus ended the attempt to limit autocracy in Russia.

The reign of Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740).

Anna Ioannovna surrounded herself with people devoted and close to her. Her favorite, Chief Chamberlain Ernst Johann Biron, was summoned from Courland. Since then, he was constantly next to the queen and directed her actions. A personable and educated man, Biron preferred to remain in the shadows, but held in his hands all the threads of governing the country. The fundamental interests of Russia were alien to Biron.

The head of the government, A. I. Osterman, and the head of the army, Field Marshal B. X. Minich, were his match. Immigrants from German lands were placed at the head of the guard regiments.

Anna Ioannovna destroyed the Supreme Privy Council. Instead, a Cabinet consisting of three people appeared. The leading role in it belonged to A.I. Osterman. The Secret Chancellery (a body of political investigation) was also recreated.

To strengthen her position, Anna Ioannovna held a number of events. The service life of nobles was set at 25 years. The law on single inheritance was repealed, now estates could be divided between sons; estates were finally equalized with estates and were to be called estates - estates. The Cadet Corps was created, from where the children of the nobility immediately became officers and did not have to pull the soldier's burden, as under Peter. All this reconciled the nobility with the authorities. The new government met the industrialists halfway: the old order of providing enterprises with serf labor was confirmed. Moreover, entrepreneurs were allowed to buy peasants without land. The scope of serf labor in the economy expanded.

The times of Anna Ioannovna are sometimes called the Bironovschina. However, one cannot associate Bironovism only with the dominance of individuals German origin. Rather, it was a clan whose members were devoted to the queen, but that devotion was, as a rule, based on material interests - the key positions they received provided high incomes, the opportunity to enrich themselves through bribes and theft of the state treasury. The concept of “Bironovism” includes the creation in Russia of a strong political investigation, a powerful repressive organization.

From the second half of the 1730s. Anna Ioannovna was less and less involved in government affairs. The empress's craving for entertainment and luxury flourished. Balls, masquerades, gala lunches and dinners, accompanied by illuminations and fireworks, replaced each other.

In the mid-1730s, trying to satisfy the ambitions of Anna Ioannovna, her favorite and her inner circle, Russia got involved in wars with Poland and Turkey, which further undermined the country's financial position. The fight of Germans against Germans. At the turn of the 1730s-1740s.

Russia was in a state of deep economic, political and moral crisis. The country's finances could not withstand the extravagance of the court and ineffective wars. The situation was aggravated by a climate of fear, denunciations and repression. German dominance in ruling circles was felt more and more clearly, which outraged a significant part of the Russian nobility. Guards officers refused to obey foreign commanders.

Due to Anna Ioannovna's serious illness, the question of inheriting the throne arose. The empress had no offspring, and had to again choose heirs on the side. Anna Ioannovna settled on Ivan Antonovich, the two-month-old son of her niece Anna Leopoldovna, who married the Duke of Brunswick Anton Ulrich. The couple had already lived in Russia for a long time under the care of Anna Ioannovna.

Thus, Anna Ioannovna transferred the throne to her closest relatives along the line of Tsar Ivan, bypassing the heirs along the Peter's line - his daughter Elizabeth and Anna Petrovna's 12-year-old son, who bore the name of his grandfather - Peter.

Biron sought to become a regent for an infant who, according to Anna Ioannovna’s will, could become a full-fledged ruler only from the age of 17.

Having decided on an heir, the sick Anna Ioannovna could not appoint a regent. Biron and people close to him insisted on the candidacy of the favorite. The Empress hesitated and only when the doctor told her that her hours were numbered did she write Biron’s name in her will.

So a foreigner came to power in Russia, not connected either with the reigning dynasty or with Russia. Everyone united against Biron. His regency lasted only three weeks. Biron was arrested and sent to the Shlisselburg fortress. Anna Leopoldovna declared herself ruler. The Bironovism in Russia ended, but the dominance of the Germans only strengthened.

At the end of November 1741, another palace coup took place, which brought the youngest daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth, to power.

After the unexpected death of the young Emperor Peter II. The Dolgorukys and Golitsyns, who ruled the Supreme Privy Council at that time, were feverishly looking for ways to maintain their influence in power. It was decided to find a convenient successor to the Russian throne.

The Dowager Duchess of Courland seemed to be a simple and controlled woman without character, personality or talents. Anna Ioannovna, who did not have a sharp mind and exorbitant ambitions. The leaders considered her a suitable candidate for the throne.

The reign of Anna Ioannovna went down in history as a dark decade. The dominance of foreigners in domestic and foreign policy has brought modest results to Russia. Their insatiable desire for profit and personal gain led to a certain amount of economic growth.

The empress's policies increased the importance of the noble class, and the situation of the peasants worsened. Foreign policy on all stated positions was more likely to fail than succeed. In people's memory, this era has become a symbol of the disrespect of the authorities for the country and people.

Evil scam with “Conditions”

To ascend to the throne, a mere trifle was required - to sign the “Conditions”, which significantly curtailed autocratic power. For almost twenty years Anna Ioannovna hung around in Courland in need and humiliation. She did not miss the chance to become the Empress of Russia and at the end of January 1730 she easily brushed aside the ill-fated “Conditions”.

A month later, with the support of the guard and the nobility, she broke the agreement, returning full autocracy. The fate of the members of the Supreme Privy Council, abolished by the manifesto in March 1730, was tragic. The leaders of the Dolgrukikh-Golitsin party were repressed.

A quarrelsome lady on the Russian throne

Not without reason, Anna Ioannovna remained in historical memory an idle and lazy empress who transferred her affairs to those close to her. Ernst Biron was given special powers, and later the signature of three elected dignitaries was equated to the signature of the empress herself. This form of detached government was called “Bironovshchina” in history.

This era was distinguished by the powerful dominance of foreigners in government and the army. The arbitrariness, embezzlement and senseless cruelty of temporary workers, endowed with the trust of the empress, became a disaster for the country. The tyranny of Biron and the foreigners around him was carried out along with the fact that the devout Anna Ioannovna cared about Orthodoxy and the preservation of traditions, but the Russian aristocracy was in fact disadvantaged.

Domestic policy

The Empress concentrated her main efforts in domestic politics on consolidating the positions won during palace coup 1730

In addition, Anna Ioannovna returned the capital's function to St. Petersburg and resumed the activities of the secret chancellery, which launched unbridled repressions.

Features of foreign policy

In the international arena, efforts focused on the Polish and Turkish directions. Vaguely expressed interests made foreign policy unprofitable for Russia, this is confirmed by the following facts:

Russian-Polish War 1733 – 1735 was provoked by the election of the enemy of Russia, Stanislav Leszczynski, as king of Poland, behind whom France stood. The success of the Russian troops brought Augustus III to the Polish throne, and Austria received the benefits.

Russian-Turkish War 1735 – 1739 in alliance with Austria, covered the Don, Dnieper and Crimean directions. However, the Austrians concluded a separate peace with the Turks, after which Russia signed a peace treaty in Belgrade. Despite the fact that Azov remained with Russia, it was not possible to enter the Black Sea.

For the sake of concluding an alliance with Persia against Turkey, Russia gave up the lands conquered by Peter I, but did not achieve the desired victories.

The wars waged by the empire did not bring the desired foreign policy benefits to Russia.

1. Panonood ng

   The accidental empress was so smart that she understood her true role. She can show off on the throne, but she cannot rule. That’s why she let Osterman, Biron, and others rule the country, and those had their own interests, which she allowed. It seems that only Volynsky suffered, and even he, coupled with politics.

2. S.G.

   Thanks a lot!!!

3. Vasya

   Complete nonsense. Not an article, but disinformation. Foreign policy was successful. They planted their king in Poland, their duke in Courland: they received an ally right up to the division of Poland and reliable western borders. A bunch of countries have recognized the imperial title. We gained a foothold on the Dnieper. For the first time in history, they beat the French army into the face and defeated the Crimean Khanate. They gave the Caspian lands, where our troops died like flies for years, to the Persians. We got the opportunity to fight the Turks without fear of being stabbed in the back. England and France recognized our supremacy in the Baltic Sea and guaranteed Peter's conquests in the Baltic states and Finland. Concluded a peace treaty with China. The Belgrade peace was a failure, yes: the lesson from now on is to negotiate on your own, and not through well-wishing intermediaries.
   There were no “repressions” inside. The bribe takers were executed. By the time of the empress's death, the budget was in surplus. Despite 8 years of continuous wars. Mining and metallurgy were raised, and our own stable leather, paper and cloth production was established. The Empress fired only from Russian-made guns)). They stably financed the Academy of Sciences and sent the slackers Lomonosov and Vinogradov to study abroad. They equipped the Second Kamchatka Expedition. Opened ballet school Lande (future) Theater school). A permanent theater (Italian and German troupes) appeared in St. Petersburg with performances not only for the courtiers. They opened the Land Noble Cadet Corps and resumed garrison schools for MANDATORY education of soldiers' children. A network of state stud farms was created. The first bank was opened.
   The capital was returned from Moscow to St. Petersburg. They created a radial street map of St. Petersburg (still exists). Orenburg was founded. They resumed the construction of large ships and created a powerful galley fleet. Two new regiments - Izmailovsky and Cuirassier. They raised a generation of highly educated and highly cultured nobles (these were the same age as Catherine the Great). They turned Russia onto the European path in such a way that it could no longer be turned back.
   Literature: Kamensky, Anisimov, Kurukin, Petrukhintsev, Pavlenko (about mining plants). Read, develop, don’t repeat the nonsense of the 19th century...

4. Tatiana

   Read Pikul’s “Word and Deed”, and then talk about the absence of repressions, Ivan the Terrible and Stalin are resting...

5. Elena, Krasny Yar

   In 1732, by personal decree of Anna Ioanovna, the construction of the Krasnoyarsk fortress began as a border bastion. She personally chose a place on the map, focusing on a strategically advantageous location: the confluence of the Sok and Kondurcha rivers, the elevated bank of the Sok River, the crossroads of roads to Moscow and the Urals (tracts - roads - already existed).
   The fortress was built in 1735.

   She wasn't that stupid. She was bound hand and foot by the conventions with which she took the throne, yes. Otherwise they wouldn't have taken it. And who would rule... It's better not to think. Repression - yes, for any autocrat the throne is life.
   Balls, parties, alcohol... - all this came from Peter the Great, his legacy and his heirs. But they didn’t know how to take care of their health back then.

   A civilian settlement was later organized near the fortress. Nowadays this is a large and very beautiful village of Krasny Yar Samara region, regional center There is a Local Lore (Historical) Museum in the village. And there is the Rosso Ariev Museum (museum of stone sculptures). In the latter, on the territory of the most interesting shape, there are boulders and millstones brought from different parts of the region. There are houses - Slavic huts, Slavic (pre-Christian) holidays are held. The museum is officially registered; it was founded by a local farmer and his sons on their land.
   IN Soviet time and in the 90s the fortress was a pitiful sight. The buildings, of course, were no longer preserved; the shaft was collapsing. In the early 2000s, the earthen rampart of the fortress was completely restored, and a sports complex with playgrounds and a stadium was successfully located on the territory.
   In front of the entrance to the fortress stands big Stone with signs. Written:
   “The Krasnoyarsk fortress was built by decree of Empress Anna Ioanovna in 1735.
   The construction was led by military engineer Captain I.A. Babikov.
   Fortress garrison:
   4 companies of the Sergievsky Landmilitsky Cavalry Regiment
   1st company of the Alekseevsky Infantry Regiment"

   At the entrance to the fortress there is a memorial plaque in the shape of a scroll with the royal coat of arms in Russian and English:
   “The Russian border ran here from 1732 to 1738.”
   There is a border post with the same sign next to a private residential house.
   Further, the border moved back in favor of Russia.

   Several similar fortresses, similar in shape, were built along the ridge of the hill - they pulled a chain from Krasny Yar to the east - the Urals, Siberia. If you are interested, write to the search engine, you will find everything - both articles and photographs. But this was never taught in schools!

In 1722, Peter changed the order of succession to the throne, but died on January 28, 1725 without appointing an heir. Contenders: Catherine, wife, crowned in 1721, which was used as an argument, supported by the guard, Alexander Danilovich Menshikov and Peter's inner circle; Peter Alekseevich born in 1715, grandson of Peter 1, for whom the old family nobility spoke. Under pressure from the guard, Catherine was confirmed as empress, and Menshikov actually ruled under her. In February 1726, the Supreme Privy Council was established with 6 members: Menshikov, Apraksin, Dm. Mich. Golitsyn, Tolstoy, Golovkin, Andr. Iv. Osterman. Menshikov tries to get closer to Pyotr Alekseevich and betroths him to his daughter. On May 6, 1727, Catherine died, according to her testament, Peter Alekseevich succeeded, and in the event of his childless death, Elizaveta Petrovna. At the instigation of the Dolgorukys, who took advantage of Menshikov’s illness, Peter exiled Menshikov. The main influence during the childhood of Peter was the teacher Osterman and Prince. Iv. Dolgoruky. January 19, 1730 Peter dies without a will. The VTS decides to bypass the testament and place Anna Ioannovna, born in 1693, daughter of Ivan 5, a widow, on the throne. Dm. Mich. Golitsyn proposes conditions limiting the power of A.I. in favor of the military-technical cooperation: 1. A.I. does not marry and does not appoint an heir 2. Military-technical cooperation consisting of 8 people, without him it is impossible to resolve issues of war and peace, taxes, treasury expenses, grant estates or take them away from the nobles 3. troops and guards are subordinate to the military-technical cooperation 4. A.I. does not deprive nobles of honor and life without trial. On February 3, Anna entered Moscow. The nobles are dissatisfied with the conditions, noble state projects are being created. devices, 12-20 pieces. Basically, they demand an expansion of the number of members of the military-technical cooperation, their election by the nobility, limiting the term of service to 20 years and privileges for the nobility, and the abolition of the decree on unified inheritance of 1714. Discontent with the military-technical cooperation is growing, with Cherkassky at the head of the opposition. On February 25, the gentry came to the palace, demanding consideration of their projects, and later the restoration of autocracy. On the same day, A.I. broke the rules and announced the restoration of autocracy. The military-technical cooperation lost to the guard and the nobility that constituted it, since it did not have military strength. March 1, 1730 A.I. was crowned empress, 1730-October 1740. Since May, the influence of foreigners, in particular Biron, has been noticed.

Domestic policy: Before A.I. in 1727 the power of governors and governors was united, under Peter 2 the Chief Magistrate was destroyed, and city ​​government transferred to the control of governors. Under Anna Ioannovna: the MTC was abolished, all its members, except Osterman and Golovkin, were exiled. Minich and Lassi were placed at the head of the army, Osterman at the head of the board of foreign affairs, and Levenvolde at the guard. In 1731, the Cabinet of Ministers was established, replacing the military-technical cooperation, consisting of: Osterman, Mikh. Le Havre Golovkin, Cherkassky, in 1735 the deceased Golovkin was replaced by Yaguzhinsky, and in 1738 by Volynsky. In 1730, the Senate, consisting of 21 people, was restored, but its importance was downgraded by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The position of the gentry has been improved, the reason being the reliance on the guard during the destruction of standards. 1731 the decree on single inheritance was repealed, estates became hereditary possession -> land, previously considered state land, was transferred to the hands of the nobles. In 1731, a noble school was founded - the Noble Land Corps, after training in which nobles were immediately accepted into officer positions. On December 31, 1736, a 25-year service period was established for nobles, after which they had the right to resign.

1731 commissions for collecting arrears receive the right to collect them from the landowner, landowners must collect arrears themselves, landowners can punish peasants, 1734 peasants are prohibited from opening cloth factories. In general, the pressure on the peasants is increasing even more, in the interests of replenishing the budget - the main income comes from direct taxes, and improving the position of the nobility. Since 1736, it was impossible to sell factory-owned peasants separately from the factory.

Foreign policy: 1732 Persia returned to the shores of the Caspian 1733 interference in the election of the Polish king, for Augustus 3 against Stanislav Leszczynski, supported by France. Russian troops besieged Danzig, over time Leszczynski fled, and the crown went to Augustus 3, who was supported by Russia. 1735-39 Russian-Turkish war. Minikh took Ochakov, Khotin, Yassy; Lassi - Azov. The war was successful, but the Belgorod Peace of 1739 gave modest gains: steppe lands without significant cities and the Turks’ obligation to raze Azov. At the same time, troop losses amounted to up to 100 thousand people; the war was not urgently necessary.

After the death of A.I., the throne was bequeathed to Ivan Antonovich, the son of Anna Leopoldovna and Anton Ulrich. A.I. hesitated for a long time in appointing Biron regent, but still did it, beating Anton Ulrich and Anna Leopoldovna. But on the night of November 8/9, 1740, Biron was arrested by Minich’s guards, at the request of Anna Leopoldovna, and exiled to Pelym. Anna Leopoldovna accepted the title Grand Duchess, but her power was unsteady. The French Ambassador De la Chetardie hoped for the accession to the throne of Elizabeth, daughter of Peter, removed from political life A.I., and tried to organize a conspiracy with the help of the doctor Elizabeth Lestock. On November 24/25, 1741, as a result of a conspiracy by Razumovsky, Vorontsov, Shuvalov and Lestocq, who insisted on a coup and convinced Elizabeth herself, the grenadiers of the Preobrazhensky regiment placed Elizabeth on the throne.

Anna Ioannovna (born January 28 (February 7), 1693 - death October 17 (28), 1740) Empress and Autocrat of All Russia from. Reign 1730 - 1740.

Origin. early years

Anna Ioannovna was born in 1693, so she was already 37 years old when she ascended the throne. She was the daughter of her elder brother, Tsar John V. Not loved by her mother, Tsarina Praskovya Fedorovna, Anna was completely left in the care of governesses and teachers, from whose lessons the princess could not learn anything. At the age of 17 she was married to the Duke of Courland, but she was soon widowed.

After the death of Peter II in 1730, the Supreme Privy Council invited her to the Russian throne as an empress with limited powers in favor of the aristocrats, but with the support of the nobility she was able to restore an unlimited monarchy by dissolving the Supreme Privy Council.

Ascension to the throne

Peter II left no offspring and did not appoint a successor for himself, the question of succession to the throne again caused great complications. The Supreme Privy Council elected the daughter of Tsar Ivan, Duchess Anna of Courland, although with limited imperial rights - she needed to transfer full power after coming of age to Anna Leopoldovna’s son, Duke of Courland Ivan Antonovich. Tom was 2 months old at the time of the agreement. Anna was also given one more condition: she had to sign the conditions, that is, a voluntary restriction of rights. Anna Ioannovna’s signature under the conditions looked like this: “And if I don’t fulfill or keep anything according to this promise, then I will be deprived of the Russian crown.”

Autocratic Empress

In this way, the Supreme Council wanted to introduce so-called oligarchic rule in Russia, the division of supreme power between the emperor and the highest aristocracy. However, the members of the Council presented this project to Anna not on their own behalf, but on behalf of “all clergy and secular ranks.” This was a clear and deliberate deception, soon discovered by Anna.

1730, February 25 - upon arrival in Moscow, Anna Ioannovna tore the “Conditions” and was proclaimed an autocratic empress (pieces of the torn “Conditions”, fastened with a pin, are today stored in one of state archives). Supporters of autocratic rule - the nobles and the guard - became its support.

1) Tsar Ivan V; 2) Tsarina Praskovya Fedorovna

Appearance of Anna Ioannovna

Judging by the correspondence, Anna Ioannovna was a classic type of landowner lady. Duke Liria described the empress’s appearance as follows: “Princess Anna is very tall and dark-skinned, she has beautiful eyes, lovely hands and a majestic figure. It is very full, but not heavy. I can’t say that she’s beautiful, but, in general, she’s pleasant.” According to Natalya Dolgorukaya, Anna was so tall that she was a whole head taller than almost any of the men.

The Empress loved to dress, always giving preference to bright colors; With her, it was even forbidden to appear in the palace in a black dress. On weekdays, she herself wore a long, wide dress of green or blue color, and tied a red scarf around her head.

Character

Anna Ioannovna had a difficult character, she was capricious, distinguished by vindictiveness and vindictiveness. She liked to be aware of all the gossip and personal lives of her subjects. Her courtyard was a mixture of old Moscow orders with elements European culture, which were brought to Russia by Peter’s innovations. Anna did not have the ability or inclination to government activities, under her, all government administration was concentrated in the hands of her favorite, Duke Ernst Biron.

The historian Prince Shcherbatov quite rightly speaks of the empress this way:

“Limited mind, no education, but clarity of views and correctness of judgment; constant search for truth; no love of praise, no higher ambition, therefore no desire to create great things, to compose new laws; but a certain methodical mentality, a love of order, a care not to do anything too hastily without consulting knowledgeable people; desire to take the most reasonable measures, love of representation, but without exaggeration.”

The Spanish diplomat Duke de Liria gave the following description of the empress:

“Empress Anna is fat, dark, and her face is more masculine than feminine. In her manner she is pleasant, affectionate and extremely attentive. Generous to the point of extravagance, she loves excessive pomp, which is why her courtyard surpasses all other European ones in splendor. She strictly demands obedience to herself and wants to know everything that is happening in her state, does not forget the services rendered to her, but at the same time she remembers well the insults inflicted on her. They say that she has a tender heart, and I believe it, although she carefully hides her actions. In general, I can say that she is a perfect empress..."

Anna Ioannovna and Ernst Biron

Amusements of the Empress

The reign of Anna Ioannovna was distinguished by enormous expenses on entertainment events, holding balls and maintaining the court. During her reign, an ice town with elephants at the entrance appeared for the first time, from whose trunks burning oil was gushing.

1736 - Anna Ioannovna introduced in Russia Italian opera, which was a great success in high society Moscow. However, the empress herself preferred other amusements: she had a large staff of jesters, firecrackers, buffoons, storytellers, as well as various cripples and freaks. Her most famous jesters: Balakirev, who amused Peter I, the Jew Lacoste, the Italian Pedrillo, Prince M.A. Golitsyn, Prince N.O. Volkonsky and A.P. Apraksin.

1740 - the empress married the jester Golitsyn to the ugly Kalmyk dwarf Anna Buzheninova. This clownish wedding is wonderfully described by Lazhechnikov in his novel “The Ice House.” wedding feast They celebrated in a house in which absolutely everything: walls, windows, doors, furniture, dishes, candelabra, and even the wedding bed of the young couple was made of ice. Long preparations were made for this comic wedding, since representatives of all nationalities that inhabited the Russian Empire at that time were supposed to participate in it.

A relative of the Empress, Governor General of Moscow S.A. Saltykov, carried out all kinds of assignments for Anna Ioannovna. He looked for and sent to St. Petersburg dwarves, storytellers, Persian horses, for which Anna was a great hunter, black and brown foxes, harps, and braids.

Anna was very fond of birds, and especially parrots. Cages with them were hung in all the palace rooms.

In one of the inner gardens of the palace, the empress amused herself with shooting at game that was being released into the wild. In all corners of the palace, Anna Ioannovna had loaded guns at hand. She shot from the windows at flying birds and demanded that the court ladies do the same. Once she was so fascinated by Dutch tops that whole boxes of strings used to launch such tops were ordered from Amsterdam for the palace.

Jesters in Anna Ioannovna's bedroom (V. Jacobi 1872)

Reign of Anna Ioannovna

Domestic and foreign policy

The domestic and foreign policy of Russia during the reign of Anna Ioannovna was mainly aimed at continuing the line of Peter the Great. 1730 - after the dissolution of the Supreme Privy Council, the importance of the Senate was restored. 1731 - the Cabinet of Ministers is created, which actually governs the state. Having no confidence in the former political elite and the guard, the empress created new guards regiments - Izmailovsky and Cavalry, which were staffed from foreigners and fellow palace residents of the South of Russia. At the same time, a number of demands of the nobility put forward during the events of 1730 were satisfied.

1731 - Peter the Great's Decree on Single Inheritance (1714) regarding the procedure for inheriting real estate was repealed, and the Gentry Corps was established for the children of nobles. 1732 - the salary of Russian officers was increased by 2 times. 1736 - a 25-year service period was established, after which the nobles had the right to retire, while it was allowed to leave one of their sons to manage the estate. The nobles received the exclusive right to own peasants' land. At the same time, the policy of enslaving all categories of the tax population was continued: by decree of 1736, all workers industrial enterprises declared the property of their owners.

Empress Anna Ioannovna shoots deer in the Peterhof Temple (V. Surikov)

Anna Ioannovna's reign is marked by the rise of Russian industry, primarily metallurgy, which took first place in the world in the production of cast iron. From the second half of the 1730s, the gradual transfer of state enterprises into private hands began, which was enshrined in the Berg Regulations, which stimulated private entrepreneurship.

The reign of Anna Ioannovna went down in history as the time of “Bironovism,” which can be interpreted as the dominance of foreigners and the tightening of police repression. In fact, Biron, Burchard Christoph von Minich, Andrei Ivanovich Osterman, and the Levenwolde brothers, who held high positions, participated in the struggle for influence on the empress along with Russian nobles, without creating a single “German party.” The number of those convicted in these times by the Secret Chancellery, in general, did not differ much from similar indicators of previous and subsequent times, and among them there are practically no cases that are associated with anti-German sentiments. The Empress was emphatically pious, superstitious, and showed concern for strengthening Orthodoxy. Under her, new theological seminaries were opened, the death penalty for blasphemy in 1738

Actually led foreign policy under Anna Ioannovna, Andrei Ivanovich Osterman, who in 1726 achieved the signing of a union treaty with Austria, which determined the nature of the country’s foreign policy. In 1733-1735 The allies jointly took part in the War of the Polish Succession, which resulted in the expulsion of Stanislaw Leszczynski and the election of Augustus III Frederick to the Polish throne. During Russian-Turkish war(1735-1739) the Russian army entered Crimea twice - in 1736 and 1738 - and ravaged it; the Turkish fortresses of Ochakov and Khotyn were taken. But the unsuccessful actions of the army commander, Burchard Christoph Munnich, led to large human losses, and Russia was forced to sign the unfavorable Peace of Belgrade, according to which it had to return all conquered lands to Turkey.

Cruel fun. How Anna Ioannovna married the jesters

The question of succession to the throne. Death

German influence had a particularly strong effect when the empress appointed a successor. Completely bypassing the daughter of Peter I, Tsarevna Elizabeth, back in 1731 Anna Ioannovna appointed the future son of her niece, the daughter of her elder sister, Catherine Ioannovna, Duchess of Mecklenburg, as heir to the throne. At that time, this niece was only 13 years old and she was not even married yet. Only in 1733 did she accept Orthodoxy and begin to be called Anna Leopoldovna. The Empress chose her precisely because she wanted to remove the unloved Elizabeth from the throne. Anna Leopoldovna was married to Prince Anton Ulrich of Brunswick, who was invited to Russia, and from this marriage a son was born in 1740, future emperor John VI.

During the illness of the empress, the question arose: who would rule the country until the infant emperor came of age? The most influential persons at Anna's court, Osterman, Levenvold and Biron, intended to install John's mother, Anna Leopoldovna, as ruler, but the empress did not want to hear about this appointment. Then Minikh, Osterman, Levenvold, Ushakov, Trubetskoy and Kurakin proposed Biron as regent for the young emperor. Biron himself remained diplomatically silent at the same time, although Anna well understood what he was trying to achieve. She stubbornly refused to appoint him as regent, for fear of offending the national feeling of the Russians with such a choice: she knew how much the people hated Biron and the Germans in general. And yet, on October 16, 1740, Anna nevertheless handed Biron a signed decree appointing him regent. They say that when giving him this decree, she said: “I have signed your death.”

However, according to another version, she said: “Don’t be afraid!”

The next day, 9 o’clock in the evening, October 28 (October 17), 1740, Anna Ioannovna died in St. Petersburg. Before her death, she called her confessor and ordered her to read the funeral service. Among the people surrounding her, she recognized Minich and turned to him with the words: “Farewell, Field Marshal!.. Forgive everyone!”

These were her last words.

She was buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Anna Ioannovna Romanova
Russian Empress

Years of life: 1693-1740
Reign: 1730-1740

Second daughter of Ivan V Alekseevich (brother and co-ruler of Tsar Peter I) and Praskovya Fedorovna Saltykova, niece.

Anna Ioanovna short biography

At the age of 3, Anna was left without a father; she lived with her mother and sisters Ekaterina and Praskovya in the village of Izmailovo until she was fifteen years old. She studied history, reading, calligraphy, geography, foreign languages, and dancing.

On October 31, 1710, she was given by her uncle Peter I in marriage to the Duke of Courland, Friedrich Wilhelm. This marriage was concluded with the aim of securing Russia's right to use the Courland (Baltic) ports. The wedding celebrations lasted for two months, during which time the newly-made husband Friedrich caught a cold and, having left with his wife for the capital of Courland, Mitava, died on January 9, 1711, 40 km from St. Petersburg. Despite the death of the Duke, Peter ordered Anna to live in Mitau and did not allow her to stay in Russia for a long time.

Conditions of Anna Ioanovna's reign

After her death, Anna was invited on January 25, 1730 to Russian throne by the Supreme Privy Council at the suggestion of V.L. Dolgorukov and D.M. Golitsyn. Believing that 37-year-old Anna Ioannovna had no supporters or connections in Russia, they made this decision.

According to the agreements, Anna Ivanovna agreed to govern the country only together with the Supreme Privy Council, and it was to become supreme body management. She did not have the right to make laws, impose taxes, manage the treasury, declare war or make peace. Without the approval of the members of the Council, she could not grant estates and ranks. Anna could not marry and appoint an heir to the throne without the consent of the Supreme Privy Council. If the conditions were not met, she was deprived of the crown.

Empress Anna Ioanovna

However, having come to power, Anna Ioannovna immediately dissolved the Supreme Privy Council (1730), restored the importance of the Senate, established the Cabinet of Ministers (1731), which included G. I. Golovkin, A. I. Osterman, A. M. Cherkassky. Church affairs were entrusted to Feofan Prokopovich. Next, the Office of Secret Investigation Cases was recreated, headed by A.I. Ushakov (the central body of political investigation).

Shortly before the coronation, Anna Ioannovna issued a manifesto on the nationwide oath to the heir appointed by the empress. On April 28, 1730 in Moscow in the Assumption Cathedral, Feofan Prokopovich performed the wedding and anointing of Empress Anna to the throne.

During the reign of Anna Ivanovna, the decree on single inheritance was canceled (1731), the Gentry Cadet Corps was established (1731), and the service of nobles was limited to 25 years. Anna's inner circle consisted mostly of foreigners (E. I. Biron, K. G. Levenwolde, B. X. Minich, P. P. Lassi). Under Anna, the ruler, the chamberlain Ernest-Johann Biron had enormous influence on the course of state affairs - favorite of Anna Ioanovna until the end of life.

The years of Anna Ioanovna's reign - Bironovschina

“Bironovschina,” which personified political terror, embezzlement, disrespect for Russian traditions, and debauchery of morals, became one of the dark pages in Russian history. Pursuing a pro-noble policy, Anna Ioannovna was irreconcilable with manifestations of noble opposition. Anna did not forgive Golitsyn and Dolgoruky for their speeches in January - February 1730 and were later imprisoned, exiled, and executed.

In 1740, Anna Ivanovna and her entourage dealt with the cabinet minister L.P. Volynsky and his followers, who sought to limit the influence of foreigners on the domestic and foreign policy of Russia.

During Anna's reign, the army under the leadership of B.X. Minich carried out military reform, the Izmailovsky and Horse Guards regiments were formed.
In 1733 - 1735 Russia contributed to the establishment of the Elector of Saxony, Stanislaus Augustus (August III), on the Polish throne. The war with Turkey (1735 - 1739) ended with the Peace of Belgrade, which was unfavorable for Russia.

The successes of Anna Ioanovna's politics

By order of Empress Anna, construction and casting began in the Kremlin
Tsar Bell: Architect I.F. Michurin drew up the first Moscow plan in Russian history, focused on streamlining urban development. To control gain customs control The Kompaneisky Val was founded around Moscow. In 1732, a decree was issued on the installation of glass lanterns in Moscow, thereby marking the beginning of street lighting in the city. In 1732, the Peter and Paul Cathedral was consecrated by her.

In 1732, Anna ordered the opening of the 1st Cadet Corps, which prepared nobles for military and public service, but in 1736 she limited the compulsory nature of this service to 25 years. The nobles were given the right to receive education at home and only periodically “appear at shows and undergo examinations.” Anna Ioannovna considered it harmful to teach ordinary people to read and write, since “learning can distract them from menial work” (decree of 1735). By another decree on October 29, 1735, she prescribed the establishment of schools for the children of factory workers.

The successes of the foreign policy of Anna's reign in the 1730s. confirm Russia's trade agreements with Spain, England, Sweden, China and Persia.
Anna 1 Ioannovna went down in history as a lover of “curiosities” (dwarfs and giants, strange animals and birds, fairy tales and witches), she really liked the jokes of jesters.

Judging by the surviving correspondence, Empress Anna Ioannovna was a classic type of landowner lady. She loved to gossip about the court, the personal lives of her subjects, and gathered around her many jesters who amused her. She was superstitious, enjoyed shooting birds, and loved bright clothes.

On August 12, 1740, the Empress’s niece, Anna Leopoldovna, who was married to Prince Anton-Ulrich of Brunswick in 1739, had a son, Ivan, whom the Empress declared heir to the Russian throne. And E.I. Biron was appointed his regent.

On October 17, 1740, Anna Ioannovna, at the age of 47, died of a “stroke” in St. Petersburg, and 2-month-old Ivan, under the regency of the Duke of Courland Biron, became the Russian sovereign Ivan VI Antonovich.

Doctors listed the cause of death as gout combined with stone disease. During the autopsy, a stone the size of a little finger was found in the kidneys, which was allegedly the main cause of death.

Anna Ioannovna was buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

In literature, her image is reflected in the novel “Word and Deed” by Valentin Pikul, “Prince Nikita Fedorovich” by M. N. Volkonsky, “Ice House” by I. I. Lazhechnikov.

Anna Ioannovna had no children.