Paul I (1754 - 1801)

Paul I

Paul I, Emperor of All Russia, a member of the Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov dynasty, son of Catherine II and Peter III.

He came to the Russian throne on November 6, 1796 after the death of his mother - Empress Catherine II. And the first thing he did was to demonstrate to the world that he would conduct his own policy, releasing from prison all those whom his mother had sent there, and putting his own people in key positions in the state. Everything that was associated with the name of Catherine II, Paul sought to destroy and oblivion. Then Paul engaged in monetary and military reforms, serious transformations were subjected to state administration and class policy, the situation of the peasants. The emperor also interfered in the daily life of his subjects, issuing decrees even on what clothes can be worn and what dances to dance.

In foreign policy, Paul I became famous for fighting the ideas of the French Revolution. He introduced the strictest censorship in book publishing, banning French books as well as fashion. During Paul's reign, thanks to the commander Alexander Suvorov and Vice-Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, the Russian army and navy achieved remarkable victories, cooperating with Prussian and Austrian forces. However, later the emperor showed his fickle character, broke off relations with his allies and formed an alliance with Napoleon, making peace with France in 1801, which eventually led to unfortunate consequences for Russia.

The reign of Emperor Paul I lasted only four and a half years, but in general left a very controversial trace in the history of Russia and ended with his assassination as a result of a palace conspiracy. Historians still debate whether he was a despot and autocrat or a reformer unappreciated by his contemporaries.