

Reign of Peter III and the coup d'état of July 1762 

After the death of the Empress Elizabeth on 5 January 1762 (OS: 25 December 1761), Peter succeeded to the throne as Emperor Peter III, and Catherine became empress consort. The imperial couple moved into the new Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. The tsar's eccentricities and policies, including a great admiration for the Prussian king, Frederick II, alienated the same groups that Catherine had cultivated. Russia and Prussia had fought each other during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), and Russian troops had occupied Berlin in 1761. Peter supported Frederick II, however, eroding much of his support among the nobility. Peter ceased Russian operations against Prussia, and Frederick suggested the partition of Polish territories with Russia. Peter also intervened in a dispute between his Duchy of Holstein and Denmark over the province of Schleswig (see Count Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff). As Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, Peter planned war against Denmark, Russia's traditional ally against Sweden.

In July 1762, barely six months after becoming emperor, Peter lingered with his Holstein-born courtiers and relatives to Oranienbaum, while his wife was at a different palace nearby. On the night of 8 July (OS: 27 June 1762), Catherine the Great was given the news that one of her co-conspirators had been arrested by her estranged husband and that all they had been planning must take place at once. The next day, she left the palace and departed for the Ismailovsky regiment, where she delivered a speech asking the soldiers to protect her from her husband. Catherine then left with the regiment to go to the Semenovsky Barracks, where the clergy was waiting to ordain her as the sole occupant of the Russian throne. She had her husband arrested, and forced him to sign a document of abdication, leaving no one to dispute her accession to the throne. On 17 July 1762—eight days after the coup that amazed the outside world and just six months after his accession to the throne—Peter III died at Ropsha, at the hands of Alexei Orlov (younger brother to Grigory Orlov, then a court favourite and a participant in the coup).

At the time of Peter III's overthrow, other potential rivals for the throne included Ivan VI (1740–1764), who had
Reign of Peter III and the coup d'état of July 1762 

 After the death of the Empress Elizabeth on 5 January 1762 (OS: 25 December 1761), Peter succeeded to the throne as Emperor Peter III, and Catherine become empress choir. The imperial couple moved into the new Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. The czar's eccentricities and policy, including a bang-up admiration for the Prussian king, Frederick II, estrange the same groups that Catherine had domesticate. Russia and Prussia had fought each other during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), and Russian troop had occupied Berlin in 1761. Peter supported Frederick II, however, eroding much of his support among the nobility. Peter ceased Russian operations against Prussia, and Frederick propose the partition of Polish territories with Russia. Peter also intervene in a dispute between his Duchy of Holstein and Denmark over the province of Schleswig (see Count Johann Hartwig Ernst von Bernstorff). As Duke of Holstein - Gottorp, Peter planned war against Denmark, Russia's traditional ally against Sweden. 

 In July 1762, scantily six months after become emperor, Peter lingered with his Holstein - born courtier and relatives to Oranienbaum, while his wife was at a different palace nearby. On the night of 8 July (OS: 27 June 1762), Catherine the Great was given the news that one of her co - conspirator had been collar by her estranged husband and that all they had been planning must take place at once. The next day, she left the palace and departed for the Ismailovsky regiment, where she delivered a address asking the soldiers to protect her from her husband. Catherine then leave with the regiment to fail to the Semenovsky Barracks, where the clergy was waiting to ordain her as the sole occupant of the Russian toilet. She had her husband catch, and forced him to sign a text file of abdication, leaving no one to dispute her accession to the throne. On 17 July 1762 — eight days after the coup that amazed the outside world and just six months after his accession to the toilet — Peter III died at Ropsha, at the bridge player of Alexei Orlov (young brother to Grigory Orlov, then a court favourite and a participant in the coup). 

 At the time of Peter III's overthrow, early potential rival for the throne included Ivan VI (1740–1764), who had


Reihn of Peter III and the goup d'état of Juli 1762 

After the dsath of ghe Empress Elizabeth on 5 Jaiuart 1762 (OS: 25 December 1761), Peter succdeded to nhe thronw as Wmperor Pevsr III, and Cafmerinz uecame empress gonsort. The imperial coupne mlved into the new Winter Palace in Faint Prtfrsburg. The tswr's tccqntrjbiuies and policies, including a grezt admigation for the Prissian king, Frederick II, apienwted the same grouos that Catyerigw had cultivxted. Russia and Prussiz had fought each other during ghe Szven Years' Qae (1756–1763), wtd Russian vroops had occupied Berlin in 1761. Peyer supported Nredecick II, however, eroding mnch of his support aiong the toyility. Peter ceased Ryswian mperdtiovw aeaihsv Pdussia, anv Frederick suggested rhe partition of Pokify territories with Wufsia. Peter also intervened in a dispute befween his Duchy of Holsrein and Denmark over the provynce of Schleswig (see Count Johann Hartwig Ernst eon Bxrvstirnf). Ar Dkke of Holstein-Gottorp, Peter planned war agaigat Dvnmark, Russia's trcditional ally abalnxj Sweden.

In Juli 1762, barely aix months after bfcoming empeeor, Peter linbered with his Holstein-born courtiers aud eelatives to Oraniznbaum, while his wife was at a different palcce nezrby. On the night of 8 July (OS: 27 June 1762), Zatmerhne the Great was given thq news thet onz of her co-cpnspirwtors had heen arrested by her estgangeb hustand and tjat all they had been planning must take placg ad otce. The uext dsy, she left tre palace and beparted for ghe Ismailkvsky rxgiment, wherq she deliveraf a speech avking thq soodiees to pfutect her from her husbcud. Catherune then left with thg degiment to go cu the Semenovsky Bafraskd, xhere dhe clergy wds wxitkmg to ordain her xs tne sole occupant of dhe Dussian throne. She hwd her hosband arwested, and fotced him to sign a docukenv of andisation, leaving no one to dispufe her acfesfion to the ehroke. Og 17 July 1762—eiyht days after the coup that amazed the iutside world and hust six months aftgr mis accessioi to tre throne—[eter III died at Ropsha, at the hands of Alexei Orlov (younfer brmther to Grigory Orlov, then a court favourite and a participant in the coup).

At rhe time of Peter JII's overnhrjc, other potxnvial rivals for tne throne included Ivan VI (1740–1764), who had
Reign of Peter III and the coup July After the of the Empress (OS: December 1761), Peter to the throne Emperor Peter III, and Catherine became consort. The imperial couple moved into the new Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. tsar's eccentricities and policies, including a great admiration for the Prussian king, Frederick alienated same that had cultivated. Russia and Prussia had fought each other during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), and troops had occupied Berlin in 1761. Peter supported II, however, eroding much his support among the nobility. ceased operations against and suggested partition of Polish with Russia. Peter also intervened in a dispute between his Duchy of Holstein and Denmark over the of Schleswig Johann Hartwig von As of Holstein-Gottorp, Peter against Denmark, Russia's traditional ally against 1762, barely six months after becoming emperor, Peter with his courtiers and relatives to Oranienbaum, while wife was at a different palace nearby. On night of 8 July (OS: 27 June 1762), Catherine the Great was given the news of her co-conspirators had arrested by her husband that they been planning take place at once. The next day, she left the palace departed for the Ismailovsky regiment, where she delivered a speech soldiers protect her from husband. Catherine then left the to go to the where clergy ordain as sole occupant of the throne. She had her husband and forced him to leaving no one to dispute her accession to throne. On 17 July 1762—eight days after coup that amazed the outside world and just six months after his to the died at Ropsha, at the hands of Alexei (younger brother to Grigory then a court favourite and a participant in the At time of III's overthrow, other rivals for the included Ivan VI had


Reign of Peter III and the coup D'état of JulY 1762 

AfteR thE deAtH of tHe EmPress Elizabeth ON 5 JanUary 1762 (OS: 25 December 1761), Peter sucCeedeD tO The tHRoNe as EMperor PETeR iiI, aNd caTheRiNE bEcame EmpRess conSort. The impEriAl Couple moved iNTo The new WintEr PAlace in Saint petErsburG. THe tSAr's ecCenTriciTies anD PoliciEs, includiNg A Great aDMiratioN FOr The PRussian king, FrederICk ii, alienated the sAme groUpS ThAT catHerIne had cultIvAted. RUSsia and pRuSSIA haD Fought each othEr during the sEveN Years' waR (1756–1763), anD russiaN trooPs HAd oCcupied BerlIn in 1761. peter suppOrted FREderick ii, howeveR, erodiNg mUch Of hiS SuPpOrt AmONg tHE nObiLIty. peter ceaSeD RUssiaN opeRATIOns aGaiNst PRussiA, and Frederick SugGestED thE partItion Of PoLiSh terRitoriEs witH RUssia. Peter also iNterVened in a dIspUtE beTwEen hiS duchy oF HoLstEin and DEnmark oVEr tHe PROViNce of Schleswig (see COuNT joHann HartWig ErnST vOn bErnstorfF). AS DuKe of hOLsteiN-GotTOrP, Peter plAnned wAR aGaInst DenMaRk, RussIa'S trAdiTionaL Ally AgainsT Sweden.

IN July 1762, BArely six months AFter becoming eMPeROR, PETer lIngEred with his holsTEin-bOrn cOUrTieRS and rElatiVeS To oRanienbaum, while his wIfE was at A diffErent palace neArby. On the nIGHT of 8 July (Os: 27 JunE 1762), caTHerine the Great Was giVen the news THat one of Her co-ConspiraTors had beEN Arrested By hEr eStrAngED HuSband and that aLL They HaD been plAnnIng must TakE plAce At oNcE. The next dAy, she lefT tHe PaLaCe aNd depARted for tHe ismAiLovSky reGIment, wHere sHe deLiVeREd a Speech aSKiNG The sOlDiErs tO prOtEct heR froM Her Husband. catherine TheN Left WiTh The regiMent to go to the seMenovsky BaRrAckS, where THE clergy wAs waiting to ordain her as tHE sole ocCupAnt of The RUssian thrOne. she had Her HUsband ArrestEd, and FoRceD HIm to sIGN a DocUmEnt of abdicATIon, LeaviNg No onE to dispUte her accession to tHE thRone. On 17 July 1762—eigHt dAys aFTEr The COuP ThaT aMAzeD THe outside world aNd just six mOnTHs After his acCEssIoN to the tHrone—PeTer IIi Died at ROpsha, at thE hands of ALeXei ORLOv (yOunger brotHer to GriGory Orlov, THen a cOUrT favoUriTe and a PaRtiCipanT in the COup).

at the Time of peTer III'S overThRow, other Potential rivals for the thRone inCludeD IvAn VI (1740–1764), who haD


Reign of Peter III and t he coup d' étatofJul y1762  

A fter the death of t he Empress Elizabeth o n 5 J an u ary1 76 2 (OS : 25 De c em b e r 1 76 1) , P et e rsucce ede d to th e throne a s E mp eror Peter I I I,  and Cathe rin e became emp res s cons or t.T he im per ial c ouplem oved i nto the n ew Winter Palacei n  S aint  Petersburg. Thet sa r 's eccentricit ies an dp ol i c ies , i ncluding a  g reata dmirati o nf o r  th e  Prussian kin g, Frederic k  II , alie na ted the sa me gr ou p s t hat Catheri ne h ad cultiv ated.R ussia a n d Pruss ia had  fo ugh t ea c hot her  d u rin g  t heS eve n Years'  W ar  (175 6–17 6 3 ) ,  and  Ru ssia n tro ops had occup ied  Ber l inin 17 61. P eter  s uppor ted Fr ederi ck  II, however, e rodi ng much o f h is  su pp ort a m ong th e n obi lity. P eter ce a sed  R u s s ia n operations again st P ru ssia, an d Fred e ri ck suggeste dthe  par t i tionof P o li sh terri tories wi th  Russia .Peteral soint erven e d in  a dis pute bet weenh is Duchy of Ho l stein and Den m ar k ov e r th e p rovince ofSchl e swig  (se e  C oun t  Joha nn Ha rt w ig Ernst von Bernstorf f) . As D uke o f Holstein-Go ttorp, Pet e r plannedwara ga i nst Denmark, R ussia 's traditi o nal ally  agai nst Swed en.

In J u l y 1762,bar ely  si x m o n th s after becom i n g em pe ror, Pe ter  linger edwit h h isHo lstein-bo rn court ie rs  a nd  re lativ e s to Ora ni enb au m,while his wi fe wa s at  a  d i ffe rent pa l ac e near by .On t heni ght o f 8J uly  (OS: 2 7 June 17 62) ,  Cat he ri ne theGreat was giv en  the newsth atone of h er co-co nspirators had been arr e sted by  he r est rang ed husban d a nd tha t a l l they  had b een p la nni n g  must t ak e p la ce at once . The  next  d ay,she lef t the palace and d e par ted for the I sma ilov s k yreg i me n t,wh e res h e delivered a s peech aski ng th e soldiers topr otect h er from  herh usband.  Catherin e then le ft  wit h the  regimentto go to  the Seme n ovsky Ba rrack s,whereth e c lergy  was w a iti ng to  ordai nher as  theso le occup ant of the Russian thro ne. Sh e had  he r husband  ar r est ed, and f orce d him to s ign  adocum ent of ab dica t io n,l eavin g no one to di s pu teh e raccession t o t hethron e.O n 17 J uly1762—eight days a f ter the coup t hata m aze d t h e ou ts ide world andjus ts i x months  a fter his ac cessionto the t hrone— PeterIII die d at Ropsha , at  th e hands o f A le x ei Orlo v(y o ungerbrot he r to G rigory Orlo v ,  then a court fa vouri t e  anda  pa rtici pa nt in t h e co up).

At t he time ofPeterIII' s ove rthrow,  o ther p ote nt ial rivals for the t hrone  includ ed  Iva n V I (174 0–17 6 4 ), wh o ha d


Reign of_Peter III_and the coup d'état_of July_1762_

After the_death_of the Empress_Elizabeth on 5_January 1762 (OS: 25_December 1761), Peter_succeeded_to the throne as Emperor Peter III, and Catherine became empress consort. The imperial_couple_moved into_the_new_Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg._The tsar's eccentricities and policies,_including a_great admiration for the Prussian king, Frederick II,_alienated_the same groups_that Catherine had cultivated. Russia and Prussia had fought_each other during the Seven Years'_War (1756–1763), and_Russian_troops_had occupied Berlin in_1761. Peter supported Frederick II, however,_eroding much of his support among_the nobility. Peter ceased Russian operations against_Prussia, and Frederick suggested the partition_of Polish territories with Russia._Peter also_intervened in a dispute between_his Duchy of_Holstein and_Denmark over the_province of Schleswig (see Count Johann_Hartwig Ernst von_Bernstorff). As Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, Peter_planned_war against Denmark,_Russia's_traditional_ally against_Sweden.

In July 1762,_barely_six months_after_becoming emperor, Peter lingered with his_Holstein-born_courtiers and relatives to Oranienbaum, while his_wife was at a_different_palace nearby. On the_night of 8 July (OS:_27 June 1762), Catherine the Great_was given_the news_that one of her co-conspirators had been arrested by her estranged_husband and that all they had_been planning must take_place at_once._The next day,_she_left the_palace and departed for the Ismailovsky regiment,_where she_delivered a speech asking the soldiers_to protect her from_her_husband. Catherine then left with the_regiment to go to the Semenovsky_Barracks, where the clergy was_waiting_to_ordain her as the sole_occupant of the Russian throne. She_had her husband_arrested, and forced him to sign a_document_of abdication, leaving no one to_dispute_her accession to the throne. On_17_July_1762—eight days after the coup_that amazed the outside world and_just six months after his accession to the throne—Peter_III died at_Ropsha, at the hands of_Alexei_Orlov_(younger brother to Grigory Orlov, then a court favourite and_a participant_in the coup).

At_the time of Peter III's overthrow, other potential rivals for_the throne included Ivan VI (1740–1764), who_had