Tsar Peter III of Russia (b. 1728)

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Biography

Peter III Fyodorovich was Emperor of Russia from 5 January 1762 until 9 July of the same year, when he was overthrown by his wife, Catherine II. He was born in the German city of Kiel as Charles Peter Ulrich of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, the grandson of Peter the Great and great-grandson of Charles XI of Sweden.

Timeline

The story of Tsar Peter III of Russia, told in moments.

1728 Birth

Born Karl Peter Ulrich in Kiel, in the German duchy of Holstein-Gottorp. Grandson of Peter the Great through his mother. Orphaned young. Raised by tutors who reportedly mistreated him.

What was it like being orphaned and mistreated by tutors? Did being Peter the Great's grandson feel like a curse? Was Kiel your home or just your origin?

1745 Life

Married Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, who took the name Catherine upon converting to Russian Orthodoxy. It wasn't a love match. He played with toy soldiers while she read Voltaire and cultivated allies.

Was it obvious from the start that Catherine was the stronger partner? Did playing with toy soldiers while she read Voltaire bother you? Was the marriage doomed before it began?

1762 Event

Became Emperor of Russia. Immediately made himself unpopular by pulling out of the Seven Years' War and giving back conquered territory to Prussia, whose king Frederick he idolized. Nobles and the military were furious.

Why did giving back conquered Prussian territory seem right to you? Was idolizing Frederick of Prussia naive or principled? Did you not see the fury building against you?

1762 Event

Overthrown in a coup led by his wife Catherine, backed by the Imperial Guard. His reign lasted 186 days. He'd abolished the secret police, freed nobles from military service, and equalized religions. None of it saved him.

Was abolishing the secret police too radical for Russia? Did 186 days feel like enough time to change anything? Were your reforms ahead of their time?

1762 Death

Died under house arrest at Ropsha, a week after his overthrow. The official cause was hemorrhoids. Voltaire and others didn't buy it. Catherine's allies almost certainly killed him.

Did you know Catherine's allies would kill you? Was the official cause of hemorrhoids the final insult? What would Russia have looked like if you'd survived?

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