Slide 1Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8RUSSIA BETWEEN PETER I AND CATHERINE IIRUSSIA BETWEEN PETER I AND CATHERINE IILIFE AFTER PETER Despite Law of Succession, Peter failed to designate heir Succeeded by wife, CATHERINE I (r. 1725-1727) SUPREME SECRET COUNCILRUSSIA BETWEEN PETER I AND CATHERINE IIPETER II (r. 1727-1730) Grandson of Peter I Task of ruling fell to Supreme Secret Council Neglected military Abolished worst aspects of Peter I’s political policeRUSSIA BETWEEN PETER I AND CATHERINE IISUCCESSION QUESTION 5 female contenders Peter’s 1st wife: EVDOKIA Peter’s daughter: ELIZABETH 3 daughters of IVAN V:• ANNA IVANOVNA chosen by Council• But rule severely restrictedRUSSIA BETWEEN PETER I AND CATHERINE IIEMPRESS ANNA (r. 1730-1740) Abolished Secret Council & reasserted autocracy Let lover ERNST JOHANN BIRON rule But brought ballet & opera to Russia & advanced artsRUSSIA BETWEEN PETER I AND CATHERINE IIIVAN VI (r. 1740-1741) Anna named IVAN VI heir, but Biron regent Ivan’s mother ANNA LEOPOLDOVNA staged coup  But quickly lost support Guards & nobles revolt, support ElizabethRUSSIA BETWEEN PETER I AND CATHERINE IIELIZABETH I (r. 1741-1761) Sponsored arts & culture Extremely lavish lifestyle  Promoted Enlightenment But faced many problems, particularly financialRUSSIA BETWEEN PETER I AND CATHERINE IIPETER III (r. 1761-1762) Pro-Prussian polices Emancipation of nobility from state service Marriage to Sophie Augusta Friederike, Princess of small German