Anne, Empress of Russia - A Short Biography

Anna Ioannovna also spelled Anna Ivanovna and sometimes anglicized as Anne, was regent of the duchy of Courland from until and then ruled as Empress of Russia from to Contents. 1 Early life; 2 Courland Regency; 3 Accession; 4 Policies.
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In recent years, however, the positive effects of her control over the throne have been published and the stigma of being the "transitional" leader during the middle years of the s has diminished. Elizabeth Petrovna led a charmed existence. Born on 18 December , to Peter the Great and Martha Skaronska, or Catherine I, a peasant, she was technically illegitimate, her father had not found the time to marry her mother until after Elizabeth was born ; nevertheless, she grew up in a supportive and loving environment.

She lived an enchanted lifestyle in which she learned to appreciate the customs and etiquette of both Western culture and Russian tradition; Elizabeth was a passionate church attendee, Russian patriot, fluent speaker of the French language, and a competent dancer of the minuet. For years, she trounced around Russia, courting numerous lovers and spending exorbitant amounts of money. By , however, Elizabeth had matured; she was frustrated by her cousin, Empress Anne's, vindictiveness as a political leader and the perpetual threats of banishing Elizabeth to a nunnery.

As Empress Anne lay on her deathbed, the people hoped that Elizabeth would take the throne.


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Secret agents acting on the orders of the Regent Anna watched Elizabeth day and night. Anna was worried that Elizabeth would incite a revolt against her, because Anna recognized that as a foreigner, the Russian populace distrusted her, while Elizabeth was a favorite of the guards and loved by the people. On November 25, , Elizabeth was ready to take her place among the annals of Russian political leaders.

Anna I, Empress of All Russia

Then, with the help of her political supporters, Elizabeth arrested Regent Anna's husband, advisors, and person, consequently establishing herself as Empress. Elizabeth's almost twenty-year reign that officially began with her coronation on April 25, , proved to be politically and militarily beneficial to Russia. The incompetence of the previous two tsars had cost the country scores of national pride; Elizabeth increased morale by reinstating her father's policy of appointing only Russian citizens to top advisory positions within the government, thereby avoiding foreign influence.

The Senate was revitalized and the 'Secret Council' was eradicated. She made humanitarian gains by outlawing the death penalty.

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In , she attained a historic victory for diplomacy by negotiating an end to the long-standing land dispute between Russia and Sweden. She was also chiefly responsible for maintaining the alliance between Russia, Austria, and France, against Prussia during the Seven Years' War. Elizabeth's reign was marked by political as well as cultural advancements. On January 25, , she set forth a decree to establish the founding of the University of Moscow.

Empress Elisabeth of Russia

She proved to be a blessing to the Russian Orthodox Church; she donated large sums of money to the church and set the price of bibles at five rubles. Elizabeth established a solid foundation for the arts; she created a state theater, brought in Italian instrumentalists, singers, and set designers to complement the court choir. In addition, she changed Petersburg architecture to reflect the styles that were dominant in Western Europe at that time.

On December 25, , Elizabeth died leaving no children as heirs; she had never married due to disputes within her family and her love of sexual freedom. Instead, she left the throne to her nephew, Peter II who died shortly thereafter. For years, Elizabeth had been portrayed as a minimal player in Russian tsarist history. Recently, however, her own accomplishments have been highlighted. She is no longer the transitional monarch, solely responsible for preparing Catherine for the throne.

Instead, she is considered a powerful, free-spirited, and strong willed woman who coalesced Russia militarily, politically, and culturally. Catherine, Empress of Russia.

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Dodd, Mead and Company. Elizabeth is depicted as moody and vindictive, displayed by the fact that she would make decisions, and then quickly change her mind. In addition to a sullen attitude, the book gives examples of Elizabeth's cruelty, especially directed at Catherine and Elizabeth's disappointment with Peter III, her successor, because he was German, Lutheran, and therefore friendly with Sweden. Little is said of Elizabeth's feelings toward the other relevant nations of her time, although the author notes that she was feared by Prussia, liked by Austria, and had peaceful relations with Sweden.

Through all of the criticisms and open talk of Elizabeth's personality, the author takes a positive look at the disposition and character of Elizabeth, and her relationship with those who would succeed her: Garden City Publishing Company. The author provides interesting details about Tsar Elizabeth and her life before she came to power: On a basic human level, Anthony argues Elizabeth was a contradiction in terms as she was in some ways immoral, yet also very religious.

This site is published by Bucknell University as part of resources for their Russian Studies and History departments. The name of each ruler is linked to a page that provides a short biography. In addition, each ruler has a timeline of events under their name that includes all of the major events that occurred during their lifespan.

Under Elizabeth, some notable events listed include: However, the Russian wars are not listed. This site provides a useful starting point for research in denoting key events and people in the history of the Russian empire. Empresses of all the Russia s. The author uses the story of Empress Elizabeth I as the backdrop for the life and reign of Catherine the Great. According to Coughlan, Catherine, who was neither named Catherine nor of Russian blood, would not have become the ruler she was without the influence and tutelage of Elizabeth I.

The accomplishments and influence of Tsar Elizabeth have often been overshadowed by other Russian Tsars or overlooked by historians.

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This author takes a chronological approach to the study of the life and influence of Elizabeth I on the reign of Catherine the Great. The Horizon History of Russia. American Heritage Publishing Co. Ian Grey is a Russian Tsarist historian who has researched numerous political leaders and historical events. In the History of Russia, he describes Elizabeth Petrovna's desire to westernize Russia, as she had learned from the example of her father, Peter I, and subsequently she transformed Petersburg into the styles of Western Europe.

During her reign, she was credited with founding Russia's first state theater, possessing ill feelings for Frederick II of Prussia, and involving Russia in two wars: She was a forceful and decisive woman who refused to lose the latter mentioned military engagement. The Romanovs; the Rise and Fall of a Dynasty.

Anna I, Empress of All Russia | Unofficial Royalty

Doubleday and Company, Inc. The author dedicates an entire chapter in this book to Elizabeth's life, both before and after becoming tsar. Elizabeth was seventeen when Peter ruled as tsar and therefore, the perfect age for marriage. In domestic affairs, also, Anna followed in the steps of Peter I, continuing his policy of westernization. Petersburg the capital and brought back the offices of government that Peter II had moved to Moscow. She created the Cadet Corps for training officers. She encouraged the sciences, promoted the arts in general, and approved the development of the ballet in Russia.

Having no direct heir, Anna was determined to ensure that her successor would come from her side of the Romanov family—that is, from the descendants of Ivan V rather than those of Peter I. To that end, she chose her niece Anna Leopoldovna to provide the heir and selected her husband. A son was born to them in August and christened Ivan. Two months later the Empress became gravely ill and, fearing the approach of death, formally named the infant as her heir.

Shortly thereafter she appointed Biron to serve as regent during the minority of the child, who would succeed her as Ivan VI. The empress Anna died on Oct. A History of the Russian Court and Empire from to , contains a detailed treatment of Anna's reign. Riasonovsky, A History of Russia ; rev.

The Eighteenth Century Nobility Retrieved September 15th, , from http: By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Please set a username for yourself. People will see it as Author Name with your public flash cards. Further Reading on Anna Ivanovna R. Encyclopedia of World Biography. Copyright The Gale Group, Inc. Link to this page.