Feofan Prokopovich’s Pravda voli monarshei as Fundamental Law of the Russian Empire
Lorenz Erren
In Russia, the government is a despotism mitigated by strangulation. This sarcastic definition of constitution, attributed to Germaine de Stael, reflects both contemporary and modern perceptions 18th-century Russia. (1) An palace revolutions followed Peter's reign, between 1725 1801 most Russian rulers gained or lost power as result coups. Three tsars were killed their successors' supporters: Ivan VI, Peter III, Paul I. record political instability considerably damaged reputation post-Petrine Empire, an age that well-educated Russians began regard with marked disdain in late 18th century. (2) Vasilii Kliuchevskii dedicated one his famous harangues Great's unworthy successors: was succeeded widow, Catherine I, who grandson reformer, II, whose successor Anna, duchess Courland, niece I daughter Tsar Ivan, infant Antonovich, son her Anna Leopoldovna Brunswick, Ivanovna, Mecklenburg, sister Ioannovna. The overthrown Is daughter, Elizabeth, nephew, Petrovna, Holstein, II. It seems never before, either here anywhere else, had line succession been fractured so severely. crushed along way, which led these persons supreme power. None them owed reign any settlement based on custom whatsoever, but hazard, revolution, court intrigue. (3) Why could Romanovs not simply be normal hereditary monarchy, like Habsburgs, Hanoverians, Wittelsbachs, Bourbons? Kliuchevskii, other historians, convinced Law Succession, signed 5 February 1722, caused mess. (4) According this law, tsar gave himself authority disinherit children freely select successor, without blood relationship. (5) Historians have characterized decision act cultural violence demolished customary primogeniture, causing all trouble later resulted many (6) commonly accepted narrative begins Reformer, accomplished great things failed regulate own succession, ends great-grandson Paul, incapable ruler at least bequeathed fatherland three sons reasonable house law (his 1797 reestablishing clear-cut succession)-in respects flourishing dynastic family. believed product particular circumstances regarding personal relationship wayward Aleksei. (7) Driven disappointment fear heir apparent would day destroy life's work, it said, made proved fatally wrong long term, for lack clear hampered evolution constitutional, legal order kinds institutions facilitated Russia's emancipation from autocracy. Because they heirs rather usurpers, felt constrained base rule instead law. classical view, recently defended Igor' Kurukin, stipulates absence norms induced Guards regiments make final and, if necessary, carry out armed force: might right. (8) As consequence, observers Russia temporarily seemed move toward oriental than European enlightened monarchy. (9) For liberal constitutional historians such failure dignitaries drawing regulations private inheritance grave error, stripped positive foundation. …
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