During the reign of Peter I of Russia, known as Peter the Great, the tsardom was reportedly transformed into a major european power. According to some he was crowned with his elder half brother, Ivan V at the age of 10. There was an expansion of the Russian empire during his reign which was reportedly shared with his older half brother Ivan V until he was 24 years of age.
Peter’s son Alexei Petrovich was imprisoned, according to reports due to a charge of treason. Peter II, son of Prince Alexei was documented to have succeeded to the throne due to his maternal uncle, the holy Roman emporer Charles VI. According to reports, Peter’s mother died when he was three and his father Alexei was documented to have died in prison.
The young Peter was reportedly taken to Vasilievsky Island, Saint Petersburg to the home of as called statesman Alexander Menshikov, believed to be a great friend of Peter I. Menshikov was involved in the as called Supreme Privy Council, a body of royal advisors to Peter’s widow, Catherine, and was said to have been the de facto leader of Imperial Russia for two years. His official titles reportedly included Prince of the Russian empire, Prince of the Roman empire, generalissimo of the Russian army, Admiral of the navy and Governor-General of St. Petersburg. There was some dissent, much criticism and accusations. May have been due to intrigue. According to the as called Saxon ambassador, not even Peter I was so feared and obeyed. Menshikov was stripped of his rank, and was sent to Siberia. Peter showed no desire to rule and was kept under Ivan Dolgoruky’s influence. The proposed marriage to Menshikov’s daughter, Mary was cancelled.
Later Peter became engaged to be married to Ekatriona Dolgorukova but is reported to have died of small pox on the day the wedding was to have taken place. More intrigue. Ekatriona was placed in the convent of Tomsk. She was reportedly freed by Catherine II, thought to be four years later.
Peter II who was documented to have died, age 14 was succceded by Anna Ivanovna, daughter of Peter the Great’s half brother Ivan V. Ivan has been described as unstable. He died when Anna was three years old. Anna was believed to be a supporter of Saxony who were active in the region. Interference of the Polish-lithuanian commonwealth was documented during Anna’s reign; and war in Crimea.
After Anna’s death, Elizabeth Petrovna succeeded the throne. There were many wars in America and Europe at this time. Great building works and a no execution policy made her popular. Elizabeth was the daughter of Peter I and his second wife, Catherine. Her half brother was Alexei Petrovich who according to documentation did not want to succeed to the throne. His thought to be defection reportedly lead to harsh reprisals for himself and his associates.
On the death of Elizabeth, Peter III became emperor. He was dead 6 months later. His thought to be wife Catherine II was reported to be a reader of Voltaire and philosophies of the French enlightenment. She ruled for over thirty years after his death. Lutheranism had become distinguished.