1761-1762 Emperor of Russia.
Peter III was murdered after only 6 months of reign. He is by far the most ridiculed emperor in Russia’s history. Most of what we know of him, comes through his wife, Catherine the Great.
Background
Lived: 1728-1762.
When Elizabeth came to power, she immediately named an heir – her nephew Peter Ulrich, the Duke of Holstein. Peter III was the son of Peter the Great’s elder daughter Anna, who had married a German.
Personal
Peter III hated everything Russian. He was even reluctant to visit Russia, spoke only German, and idolized the Prussian ruler Frederick the Great, who was Russia’s fiercest enemy at that time.
Elizabeth looked for a good bride for him and finally chose a young German princess Sophie, who would later became Catherine the Great.
Peter was a rather dissolute character. Foolish and child-like, he was no good husband. He played with toy soldiers on their wedding night, made obscene jokes and told his wife about his mistresses. Once he even hanged a rat, accusing him of treason.
Reign
Peter III turned everyone against him. He brought Russia out of the Seven Years’ War, despite the success of Russian army. Moreover, he then became allied with the enemy, Frederick the Great and he dressed Russian soldiers in blue Prussian uniforms, marching them around Prussian style.
Assassination
Such a situation could not last very long. After 6 months of reign, he began openly accusing Catherine and threatening to imprison her. Catherine’s lovers quickly organized a coup in 1762.
Peter III was placed under house arrest and soon after murdered by the Orlov brothers. It is generally believed that Catherine was aware of the plot and silently approved of the murder.
Russia Under Catherine the Great
Peter III
1761-1762 Emperor of Russia.
Peter III was murdered after only 6 months of reign. He is by far the most ridiculed emperor in Russia’s history. Most of what we know of him, comes through his wife, Catherine the Great.
Background
Lived: 1728-1762.
When Elizabeth came to power, she immediately named an heir – her nephew Peter Ulrich, the Duke of Holstein. Peter III was the son of Peter the Great’s elder daughter Anna, who had married a German.
Personal
Peter III hated everything Russian. He was even reluctant to visit Russia, spoke only German, and idolized the Prussian ruler Frederick the Great, who was Russia’s fiercest enemy at that time.
Elizabeth looked for a good bride for him and finally chose a young German princess Sophie, who would later became Catherine the Great.
Peter was a rather dissolute character. Foolish and child-like, he was no good husband. He played with toy soldiers on their wedding night, made obscene jokes and told his wife about his mistresses. Once he even hanged a rat, accusing him of treason.
Reign
Peter III turned everyone against him. He brought Russia out of the Seven Years’ War, despite the success of Russian army. Moreover, he then became allied with the enemy, Frederick the Great and he dressed Russian soldiers in blue Prussian uniforms, marching them around Prussian style.
Assassination
Such a situation could not last very long. After 6 months of reign, he began openly accusing Catherine and threatening to imprison her. Catherine’s lovers quickly organized a coup in 1762.
Peter III was placed under house arrest and soon after murdered by the Orlov brothers. It is generally believed that Catherine was aware of the plot and silently approved of the murder.
Russia Under Catherine the Great