Chapter X Russo-Swedish War 1788-1790 General SituationThe states hostile to us, who watched with envy and apprehension the rapid political rise of Russia and the expansion of her possessions, having managed to start a war with Turkey, considered the best means for further weakening

At the end of the 1930s, the situation on the western and northwestern borders of Russia began to become more complicated again. The danger from the Prussian side of Frederick II the Great grew.

Revanchist plans gradually matured in Sweden. With the death of the Austrian emperor Charles VI in October 1740, a struggle unfolded around the Austrian throne, which Charles VI bequeathed to his daughter Maria Theresa. Taking advantage of the situation, Prussia sought to seize Silesia from Austria. To do this, Frederick II decided to neutralize Russia, which was in alliance with Austria, and offered her his alliance. It was concluded in December 1740 through the efforts of B.Kh. Minikh and A.I. Osterman. But Frederick II invaded Silesia a little earlier. And Russia found herself in an ambiguous position, although it would have been in her interests to take the side of Austria. It was a major diplomatic miscalculation. True, in April 1741 Russia concluded a Russian-English alliance for a period of 20 years. This is what she has been striving for for years. But the weak point of the union was the extension of the Biron trade agreement.

The highest Russian dignitaries quickly realized that Prussia was actively pushing Sweden to go to war with Russia. Minich was removed from business. In vain was France's attempt to force Russia to oppose Austria. But the French envoy, the Marquis de Chétardie, on behalf of Versailles, at the same time, as we have seen, started an intrigue with Elizabeth Petrovna, plotting a palace coup. The calculations of French diplomacy were quite simple - to force the future empress to abandon the conquests of Peter I in the Baltics. As already shown, this calculation failed.

Nevertheless, on July 27, 1741, Sweden declared war on Russia under the banner of protecting the heirs of Peter I. Prussia immediately refused to help Russia. Swedish troops entered Finland in two corps. But the 20,000th corps of P.P. Lassi in August 1741 quickly defeated the Swedes. A palace coup in November 1741 seemed to eliminate the casus belli, but the war continued. During 1742, the Swedish troops retreated all the time, surrendering fortress after fortress.

In August 1742, near Helsingfors, the Swedish army capitulated. An important point was the support of the Russian troops by the local Finnish population. Back in March 1742, Elizabeth issued a manifesto promising Finland's independence. Ten Finnish regiments after the surrender of the Swedish army surrendered their weapons and went home. Long negotiations began in Abo, at times accompanied by hostilities. On August 7, 1743, a peace favorable to Russia was concluded, which received a number of Finnish fortresses.

§ 4. Russia and the war for the "Austrian inheritance" (1743-1748)

In international relations in Europe during the 40s - early 50s of the XVIII century. there was a process of gradual but radical regrouping of forces and the creation of new coalitions. The Austro-Prussian contradictions were clearly and permanently determined, since Prussia took away from Austria the most important part of it - Silesia. In Russia, an anti-Prussian direction of foreign policy was gradually emerging. The inspirer of this policy was the outstanding Russian diplomat Count A.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin.

After some cooling of relations with Austria (the "conspiracy" of the Marquis Botta d "Adorno), in 1745 a new Petersburg Treaty was concluded for a period of 25 years. It was directed against Prussian aggression. At the same time, Russia entered into a number of agreements to help England with troops (for money) to protect the European possessions of England from France and Prussia. This contributed to the end of the war for the "Austrian inheritance". In 1748, the Peace of Aachen was concluded. Relations between Russia and Prussia simply broke off. This happened in 1750.

§ 5. Seven Years' War (1757-1763)

In the 1950s, there was a sharp change in the relations between the former fierce enemies and rivals in Europe - France and Austria. The strength of the Anglo-French and the severity of the Austro-Prussian contradictions forced Austria to look for an ally in France. They were unexpectedly helped by a long-time ally of France, the Prussian King Frederick II. Prussia willingly entered into an agreement with England, promising her army assistance (in exchange for money!) To protect English possessions from France. At the same time, the Prussian king counted on only one thing: by an agreement with England, to secure himself from the formidable Russia, with whom England was on friendly terms. But everything turned out differently. In 1756 England led With Russia new negotiations on the protection (again for money) of English possessions in Europe from France. But now Russian diplomats agreed to help England only against the threat from Prussia, seeking to strengthen the anti-Prussian coalition of England, Austria and Russia. But literally 2 days later, on January 27, 1756, England concludes a non-aggression agreement with Prussia. This caused a storm of indignation among French diplomats. As a result, in May 1756, Maria Theresa concludes an agreement with Louis XV on mutual assistance in the event of an attack by any aggressor. So, the new coalitions were completely determined: on the one hand, Prussia and England, and on the other, Austria, France, Russia, Saxony. With all this, the powers of the anti-Prussian coalition did not fully trust each other.

On August 19, treacherously, without declaring war, the Prussian hordes attacked Saxony and occupied Leipzig and Dresden. The Austrians came to the rescue, but were defeated. Saxony capitulated. But the war continued. The patina of mutual distrust in the anti-Prussian coalition is now gone, and Russia is joining the Austro-French alliance. France and Austria enter into a secondary agreement in May 1757. Finally, Sweden joins the coalition.

In July 1757, Russian troops under the command of Field Marshal S.F. Apraksin entered East Prussia and, having occupied a number of cities (Memel, Tilsit, etc.), headed for Koenigsberg. Under Koenigsberg stood the Prussian elite 40,000th army of Field Marshal Lewald. August 19, 1757 took place biggest battle near Gross-Egersdorf. Despite the unfavorable role of the field marshal, who tried to stop the battle, the Russians won. Moreover, the fate of the battle was decided by the sudden blow of the reserve army of P.A. Rumyantsev. Soon Apraksin, for whom Frederick II was an idol, was arrested and put on trial. The new commander Fermor in January 1758 took Koenigsberg and soon all of East Prussia.

Fearing the success of the Russians, Austria and France tirelessly asked them for help for the fighting in Silesia, so the main blow in the 1758 campaign was already south of Pomerania and East Prussia. Russian troops besieged the Kustrin fortress. Upon learning of this, Frederick II made a swift throw under Kustrin. Confused, Fermor lifted the siege and led the entire army under the village of Zorndorf to a rather unfortunate position (there were hills ahead), where a bloody battle took place. And again, during the battle, the commander of the Russian troops, Field Marshal Fermor, fled from the battlefield (!). True, the soldiers courageously repulsed the attack and eventually put Frederick II to flight. The field marshal was removed. P.S. stood at the head of the troops. Saltykov.

Meanwhile, success did not accompany either the French or the Austrians.

For the next 1759, the joint plan of the allies provided for the capture of Brandenburg by Russian and Austrian troops. In June, Saltykov entered Brandenburg, and on July 12, Wedel's corps was defeated near the village of Palzig. In the battle, artillerymen distinguished themselves from the Russian side, firing from the new Shuvalov howitzers and unicorns. Soon Russian troops captured Frankfurt an der Oder and became a real threat to Berlin.

Desperately resisting, forced to fight simultaneously in three directions, the Prussian king Frederick II decides to throw an almost 50,000-strong army near Berlin. At that time, instead of the approach of the main forces of the Austrians, only the 18,000th corps of Laudon joined the Russian troops. Frederick II attacked the Russian army on August 1, 1759 near the village of Kunersdorf, but now the Russian position was excellent. They settled on the heights.

Frederick II decided to go in from the rear, but the Russian command unraveled his plans. The Prussian commander tirelessly threw his regiments into attacks, but they were all repulsed. Two energetic counterattacks by the Russian troops determined the further course of the fierce battle. With a common bayonet counterattack, Saltykov crushed the Prussians, and they, together with the commander, fled from the battlefield in disarray. However, the Austrians not only did not support Saltykov's troops, but tried in every possible way to divert them from Berlin to Silesia. Saltykov refused to follow the Austrian demands. In the meantime, getting a breather. Frederick II gathered his strength again and continued the difficult war for him, which dragged on due to indecisive actions and fruitless advances of the troops allied with Russia.

The Vienna court and Versailles, of course, were for the victory over Frederick II, but not for the strengthening of Russia. Hence the delays and the fruitless results of the brilliant victories of the Russian troops. Not wanting to endure this further, Saltykov resigns. The mediocre field marshal A.B. becomes the head of the troops. Buturlin.

At the end of September 1760, at a time when the main forces of Frederick II were pinned down by the Austrians, the Russian regiments rushed to Berlin. The assault on Berlin was scheduled for September 28, but the city surrendered. After 3 days, the Russian troops left the city, as they were severely separated from their rear. The war continued.

In 1761, the main forces of the Russian troops were again sent to Silesia. Only the body of P.A. Rumyantsev acted in Pomerania. The capture by Rumyantsev with the support of the fleet of the Kolberg fortress created the possibility of a complete capture of Pomerania and Brandenburg and a new threat to Berlin. This threatened Prussia with complete defeat.

By the beginning of 1762, the situation for Prussia had become hopeless. And so, when Frederick II was ready to abdicate, the unexpected death of the Russian Empress Elizabeth on December 25, 1761 saved him from inevitable defeat. The new emperor of Russia, Peter III, immediately stopped all hostilities, concluded with Frederick

II alliance, according to which the Russian troops were to fight now with the former allies. One way or another, but Russia waged this war on foreign territory, although it was forced to do so by the alignment of political forces in Europe. The pro-German sentiments of Peter III, all his behavior caused, as we know, acute discontent of the Russian nobility. A palace coup on June 28, 1762 overthrew the emperor. His wife Catherine II was elevated to the throne. The new empress broke off the alliance with Prussia, but did not resume the war. In November 1762 Russia's allies, France and England, also made peace.

Thus ended the difficult war with Prussia. The Russian Empire did not achieve its goals - it did not annex Courland, could not move forward in resolving the issue of Belarusian and Ukrainian lands. True, as a result of the brilliant military victories, Russia's international prestige has risen to an unprecedented height. in military power Russian Empire in Europe now no one doubted.

Chapter 11. Russia in the era of Catherine II. "Enlightened Absolutism"

Main article: Russo-Swedish War 1741-1743

IN 1740 The Prussian king Frederick II decided to take advantage of the death of the Austrian emperor Charles VI to seize Silesia. started War of the Austrian Succession. Hostile to Austria, Prussia and France tried to persuade Russia to take part in the conflict on their side, but they were also satisfied with non-intervention in the war. Therefore, French diplomacy tried to push Sweden and Russia in order to divert the attention of the latter from European affairs. Sweden declared war on Russia.

Russian troops under the command of General Lassi defeated the Swedes in Finland and occupied its territory. Abo peace treatise(Abo world) 1743 ended the war. The treaty was signed August 71743 in the city of Abo (now Turku,Finland) from Russia A.I. Rumyantsev And I. Luberas, from Sweden G. Cedercreis And E. M. Nolken. During the negotiations, Russia agreed to limit its territorial claims, subject to the election of the Holstein prince as heir to the Swedish throne. Adolf Fredrik, cousin uncle of the Russian heir Peter III Fedorovich. June 231743 Mr. Adolf was elected heir to the Swedish throne, which opened the way to a final agreement.

Article 21 of the peace treaty established eternal peace between countries and obligated them not to enter into hostile alliances. Confirmed Treaty of Nystadt1721. The Kymenegorsk province with the cities of Friedrichsgam and Wilmanstrand, part of the Savolak province with the city of Neishlot, departed to Russia. The border runs along the river. Kymmene.

Seven Years' War (1756-1763)

In 1756-1763 there was an Anglo-French war for the colonies. Two coalitions participated in the war: Prussia, England and Portugal against France, Spain, Austria, Sweden and Saxony with the participation of Russia.

IN 1756Friedrich II attacked Saxony without declaring war. In the summer of that year, he forced her to capitulate. September 11756 Russia declared war on Prussia. IN 1757 Frederick defeated the Austrian and French troops and sent the main forces against Russia. In the summer of 1757, the Russian army under the command Apraksina entered East Prussia. August 19 The Russian army was surrounded at the village. Gross-Jägersdorf and only with the support of the reserve brigade P. A. Rumyantseva escaped from the environment. The enemy lost 8 thousand people. and stepped back. Apraksin did not organize the persecution, and he himself retreated to Courland. Elizabeth, who was at that time near death, after recovering, removed him and put him under investigation. Together with him, Chancellor Bestuzhev, hardened in foreign policy intrigues, fell into disgrace.

The new commander was appointed V. V. Fermor. At first 1758 Russian troops captured Königsberg, then - all of East Prussia, whose population even swore allegiance to the empress. In August 1758 at the village of Zorndorf there was a bloody battle, which did not bring victory to either side. Fermor was then forced to surrender command.

led the army P. S. Saltykov. August 1, 1759 60,000 Russian army near the village of Kunersdorf against 48,000 Prussian army gave a pitched battle. The army of Frederick II was destroyed: only 3 thousand soldiers remained. Saltykov for the slow advance of troops to Berlin is suspended and appointed A. B. Buturlina.

September 281760 there was a capture of Berlin; they were briefly captured by the corps of the general Totleben who took over military depots. However, as Frederick approached, the corps retreated.

December 1761 Elizabeth died from throat bleeding due to a chronic disease unidentified by medicine at that time.

Ascended to the throne Peter III. The new emperor returned to Frederick all the conquered lands and made an alliance with him. The Prussian king took the death of Elizabeth as Miracle of the Brandenburg House. Only new palace coup and accession to the throne Catherine II prevented Russia's military actions against former allies - Austria and Sweden.

At the end of the 1930s, the situation on the western and northwestern borders of Russia began to become more complicated again. The danger from the Prussian side of Frederick II the Great grew.

Revanchist plans gradually matured in Sweden. With the death of the Austrian emperor Charles VI in October 1740, a struggle unfolded around the Austrian throne, which Charles VI bequeathed to his daughter Maria Theresa. Taking advantage of the situation, Prussia sought to seize Silesia from Austria. To do this, Frederick II decided to neutralize Russia, which was in alliance with Austria, and offered her his alliance. It was concluded in December 1740 through the efforts of B.Kh. Minikh and A.I. Osterman. But Frederick II invaded Silesia a little earlier. And Russia found herself in an ambiguous position, although it would have been in her interests to take the side of Austria. It was a major diplomatic miscalculation. True, in April 1741 Russia concluded a Russian-English alliance for a period of 20 years. This is what she has been striving for for years. But the weak point of the union was the extension of the Biron trade agreement.

The highest Russian dignitaries quickly realized that Prussia was actively pushing Sweden to go to war with Russia. Minich was removed from business. In vain was France's attempt to force Russia to oppose Austria. But the French envoy, the Marquis de Chétardie, on behalf of Versailles, at the same time, as we have seen, started an intrigue with Elizabeth Petrovna, plotting a palace coup. The calculations of French diplomacy were quite simple - to force the future empress to abandon the conquests of Peter I in the Baltics. As already shown, this calculation failed.

Nevertheless, on July 27, 1741, Sweden declared war on Russia under the banner of protecting the heirs of Peter I. Prussia immediately refused to help Russia. Swedish troops entered Finland in two corps. But the 20,000th corps of P.P. Lassi in August 1741 quickly defeated the Swedes. A palace coup in November 1741 seemed to eliminate the casus belli, but the war continued. During 1742, the Swedish troops retreated all the time, surrendering fortress after fortress.

In August 1742, near Helsingfors, the Swedish army capitulated. An important point was the support of the Russian troops by the local Finnish population. Back in March 1742, Elizabeth issued a manifesto promising Finland's independence. Ten Finnish regiments after the surrender of the Swedish army surrendered their weapons and went home. Long negotiations began in Abo, at times accompanied by hostilities. On August 7, 1743, a peace favorable to Russia was concluded, which received a number of Finnish fortresses.

§ 4. Russia and the war for the "Austrian inheritance" (1743-1748)

In international relations in Europe during the 40s - early 50s of the XVIII century. there was a process of gradual but radical regrouping of forces and the creation of new coalitions. The Austro-Prussian contradictions were clearly and permanently determined, since Prussia took away from Austria the most important part of it - Silesia. In Russia, an anti-Prussian direction of foreign policy was gradually emerging. The inspirer of this policy was the outstanding Russian diplomat Count A.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin.

After some cooling of relations with Austria (the "conspiracy" of the Marquis Botta d "Adorno), in 1745 a new Petersburg Treaty was concluded for a period of 25 years. It was directed against Prussian aggression. At the same time, Russia entered into a number of agreements to help England with troops (for money) to protect the European possessions of England from France and Prussia. This contributed to the end of the war for the "Austrian inheritance". In 1748, the Peace of Aachen was concluded. Relations between Russia and Prussia simply broke off. This happened in 1750.

§ 5. Seven Years' War (1757-1763)

In the 1950s, there was a sharp change in the relations between the former fierce enemies and rivals in Europe - France and Austria. The strength of the Anglo-French and the severity of the Austro-Prussian contradictions forced Austria to look for an ally in France. They were unexpectedly helped by a long-time ally of France, the Prussian King Frederick II. Prussia willingly entered into an agreement with England, promising her army assistance (in exchange for money!) To protect English possessions from France. At the same time, the Prussian king counted on only one thing: by an agreement with England, to secure himself from the formidable Russia, with whom England was on friendly terms. But everything turned out differently. In 1756 England led With Russia new negotiations on the protection (again for money) of English possessions in Europe from France. But now Russian diplomats agreed to help England only against the threat from Prussia, seeking to strengthen the anti-Prussian coalition of England, Austria and Russia. But literally 2 days later, on January 27, 1756, England concludes a non-aggression agreement with Prussia. This caused a storm of indignation among French diplomats. As a result, in May 1756, Maria Theresa concludes an agreement with Louis XV on mutual assistance in the event of an attack by any aggressor. So, the new coalitions were completely determined: on the one hand, Prussia and England, and on the other, Austria, France, Russia, Saxony. With all this, the powers of the anti-Prussian coalition did not fully trust each other.

On August 19, treacherously, without declaring war, the Prussian hordes attacked Saxony and occupied Leipzig and Dresden. The Austrians came to the rescue, but were defeated. Saxony capitulated. But the war continued. The patina of mutual distrust in the anti-Prussian coalition is now gone, and Russia is joining the Austro-French alliance. France and Austria enter into a secondary agreement in May 1757. Finally, Sweden joins the coalition.

In July 1757, Russian troops under the command of Field Marshal S.F. Apraksin entered East Prussia and, having occupied a number of cities (Memel, Tilsit, etc.), headed for Koenigsberg. Under Koenigsberg stood the Prussian elite 40,000th army of Field Marshal Lewald. On August 19, 1757, the largest battle took place near the town of Gross-Egersdorf. Despite the unfavorable role of the field marshal, who tried to stop the battle, the Russians won. Moreover, the fate of the battle was decided by the sudden blow of the reserve army of P.A. Rumyantsev. Soon Apraksin, for whom Frederick II was an idol, was arrested and put on trial. The new commander Fermor in January 1758 took Koenigsberg and soon all of East Prussia.

Fearing the success of the Russians, Austria and France tirelessly asked them for help for the fighting in Silesia, so the main blow in the 1758 campaign was already south of Pomerania and East Prussia. Russian troops besieged the Kustrin fortress. Upon learning of this, Frederick II made a swift throw under Kustrin. Confused, Fermor lifted the siege and led the entire army under the village of Zorndorf to a rather unfortunate position (there were hills ahead), where a bloody battle took place. And again, during the battle, the commander of the Russian troops, Field Marshal Fermor, fled from the battlefield (!). True, the soldiers courageously repulsed the attack and eventually put Frederick II to flight. The field marshal was removed. P.S. stood at the head of the troops. Saltykov.

Meanwhile, success did not accompany either the French or the Austrians.

For the next 1759, the joint plan of the allies provided for the capture of Brandenburg by Russian and Austrian troops. In June, Saltykov entered Brandenburg, and on July 12, Wedel's corps was defeated near the village of Palzig. In the battle, artillerymen distinguished themselves from the Russian side, firing from the new Shuvalov howitzers and unicorns. Soon Russian troops captured Frankfurt an der Oder and became a real threat to Berlin.

Desperately resisting, forced to fight simultaneously in three directions, the Prussian king Frederick II decides to throw an almost 50,000-strong army near Berlin. At that time, instead of the approach of the main forces of the Austrians, only the 18,000th corps of Laudon joined the Russian troops. Frederick II attacked the Russian army on August 1, 1759 near the village of Kunersdorf, but now the Russian position was excellent. They settled on the heights.

Frederick II decided to go in from the rear, but the Russian command unraveled his plans. The Prussian commander tirelessly threw his regiments into attacks, but they were all repulsed. Two energetic counterattacks by the Russian troops determined the further course of the fierce battle. With a common bayonet counterattack, Saltykov crushed the Prussians, and they, together with the commander, fled from the battlefield in disarray. However, the Austrians not only did not support Saltykov's troops, but tried in every possible way to divert them from Berlin to Silesia. Saltykov refused to follow the Austrian demands. In the meantime, getting a breather. Frederick II gathered his strength again and continued the difficult war for him, which dragged on due to indecisive actions and fruitless advances of the troops allied with Russia.

The Vienna court and Versailles, of course, were for the victory over Frederick II, but not for the strengthening of Russia. Hence the delays and the fruitless results of the brilliant victories of the Russian troops. Not wanting to endure this further, Saltykov resigns. The mediocre field marshal A.B. becomes the head of the troops. Buturlin.

At the end of September 1760, at a time when the main forces of Frederick II were pinned down by the Austrians, the Russian regiments rushed to Berlin. The assault on Berlin was scheduled for September 28, but the city surrendered. After 3 days, the Russian troops left the city, as they were severely separated from their rear. The war continued.

In 1761, the main forces of the Russian troops were again sent to Silesia. Only the body of P.A. Rumyantsev acted in Pomerania. The capture by Rumyantsev with the support of the fleet of the Kolberg fortress created the possibility of a complete capture of Pomerania and Brandenburg and a new threat to Berlin. This threatened Prussia with complete defeat.

By the beginning of 1762, the situation for Prussia had become hopeless. And so, when Frederick II was ready to abdicate, the unexpected death of the Russian Empress Elizabeth on December 25, 1761 saved him from inevitable defeat. The new emperor of Russia, Peter III, immediately stopped all hostilities, concluded with Frederick

II alliance, according to which the Russian troops were to fight now with the former allies. One way or another, but Russia waged this war on foreign territory, although it was forced to do so by the alignment of political forces in Europe. The pro-German sentiments of Peter III, all his behavior caused, as we know, acute discontent of the Russian nobility. A palace coup on June 28, 1762 overthrew the emperor. His wife Catherine II was elevated to the throne. The new empress broke off the alliance with Prussia, but did not resume the war. In November 1762 Russia's allies, France and England, also made peace.

Thus ended the difficult war with Prussia. The Russian Empire did not achieve its goals - it did not annex Courland, could not move forward in resolving the issue of Belarusian and Ukrainian lands. True, as a result of the brilliant military victories, Russia's international prestige has risen to an unprecedented height. Now no one doubted the military might of the Russian Empire in Europe.

Chapter 11. Russia in the era of Catherine II. "Enlightened Absolutism"

Empress and throne

The very first royal orders of the new Empress Ekaterina Alekseevna reveal her sharp mind and ability to navigate in a complex internal political and court situation.

In addition to amnesties and awards, so common for any coup, Catherine II takes a number of emergency measures. Almost immediately, she subordinated the entire army infantry of the Petersburg and Vyborg garrisons to Kirill Razumovsky personally devoted to her, and the cavalry to Count Buturlin. All the innovations of the Prussian order were immediately canceled in the army. The sinister Secret Office has been destroyed. By banning the export of grain, the sharp rise in the price of bread in St. Petersburg is rather quickly eliminated. In addition, the new Empress on July 3 also reduces the price of salt (by 10 kopecks per pood).

On July 6, a manifesto was issued on the accession of Catherine II. In essence, it was a pamphlet against Peter III. Having pushed out all the most “disgusting” actions of Peter III to society at that time, the new empress, with great “mental anguish,” described the unworthy attitude of the former emperor towards the Russian Church and Orthodoxy in general. Catherine also cancels the decree of Peter III on the secularization of church estates.

And yet, for the first time, Catherine, who was placed on the throne, feels insecure and is extremely afraid of court intrigues. She makes desperate attempts to strangle her old romance with Stanislav Poniatowski, which is about to flare up again.

And yet, the main danger in the court situation was not in Poniatowski - he was alive, although already the former Emperor Peter III. It is this circumstance that gnaws at the new empress during the first days and nights after the coup. To liquidate the abdicated Peter III, special conspiracies were not needed: the inspirers of the coup on June 28 understood the desires of the new queen at a glance. The course of the case in Ropsha is still unknown, but the little that historians know makes us doubt the murder of Pyotr Fedorovich. Sent to Ropsha, Peter III was in a trance, he was unwell all the time. On July 3, the doctor Leader was sent to him, and on July 4, the second doctor, Paulsen. It is very symptomatic that on the morning of July, on the day of the murder, Peter III's valet was kidnapped from Ropsha, who went out into the garden "to breathe clean air."

In the evening of the same day, the rider delivered a package to Catherine II from Ropsha, where there was a note with drunken scribbles by Alexei Orlov. In particular, it said the following: “Mother! Ready to go to death; but I don't know how it happened. We died when you do not have mercy. Mother - he is not in the world. But no one thought of this, but how can we think of raising our hands against the sovereign! But, sir, disaster has struck. He argued at the table with Prince Fyodor; we didn’t have time to separate, but he was already gone. ”

The moment was critical, because the “merciful empress” could become angry and even punish the guilty who killed the unfortunate Peter III. But she did not do this - none of those present in Ropsha either in July 1762 or later were punished. Rather, on the contrary, everyone successfully moved up the official and other levels. The murder itself was hidden, since it was announced that Peter III had died of hemorrhoidal "severe colic." At the same time, Orlov's note was sacredly kept by Catherine II for more than thirty years in a special box, where her son, Emperor Paul, found it. Apparently, this was supposed to serve as evidence (very shaky, of course) of personal innocence in front of his son.

The solemn entry of Catherine II into Moscow took place on September 13. On September 22, the traditional magnificent performance of the coronation took place in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, in which loud-voiced spiritual hierarchs hypocritically called: “Come, defender of the fatherland, come defender of piety, enter your city and sit on the throne of your ancestors (!).” This was proclaimed with complete seriousness, although, of course, none of Catherine's ancestors sat on the Russian throne.

Noble aristocratic circles, both before and now, were not slow to turn to projects of limiting autocratic power. In particular, Nikita Panin tirelessly began to seek the approval of the project to limit the autocrat's power by the so-called imperial council. When Panin's pressure reached its maximum (in December 1762), Catherine II was forced to sign the decree as a whole. But on the same day, having decided to take the risk, she tears it up.

Finally, one more stroke in the court struggle for the throne is the “Mirovich case”. Back in September 1762 in Moscow, at a dinner with Lieutenant Peter Khrushchov, there was talk of the rights to the throne of the infamous Ivan Antonovich. One of the officers of the Izmailovsky Guards Regiment, a certain I. Guryev, inadvertently remarked that about 70 people were already trying about Ivanushka. As a result, both Khrushchev and Guryev were exiled forever to Siberia. The wary empress, through Nikita Panin, gave the strictest instructions for the protection of Ivan Antonovich. The order now spoke of the immediate destruction of the noble prisoner at the slightest attempt to free him. But less than two years later, such an attempt took place.

In those years, the Smolensk Infantry Regiment was guarding the Shlisselburg fortress. The lieutenant of this regiment, Vasily Mirovich, accidentally found out that the former emperor Ivan Antonovich was imprisoned in the fortress. The ambitious second lieutenant soon decided to release the prisoner and proclaim him emperor. Having prepared a false manifesto and oath and found a few supporters in the regiment, on the night of July 5, with a small team, he arrested commandant Berednikov and attacked the garrison guard, threatening him with an unloaded cannon. But all was in vain. As it turned out later, Captain Vlasyev and Lieutenant Chekin, seeing what was happening, immediately killed the prisoner. The Supreme Court sentenced Mirovich to death penalty. At the St. Petersburg glutton market, the executioner cut off his head. The corpse of the executed and the scaffold were immediately burned. In essence, it was a failed attempt at a typical palace coup, with the only difference that the leader prepared it clumsily, without concentrating in his hands the main levers of the coup mechanism.

All these, sometimes sharp, court intrigues and conflicts, although they created an atmosphere of uncertainty around the throne, did not at all determine the complexity of the socio-political situation in the country as a whole.

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