Oppostion Flashcards
What were 3 potential claimants to seize power from her?
Peter III
Her son, Paul
Ivan VI (deposed by ELizabeth)
Why did Catherine had threats against her reign?
she had no legal right to the throne (ursurper)
Early plots for restoration of Ivan?
(1764) group of guard officers attempting to liberate Ivan were foiled only when the jailer, obeying standard orders, strangled his prisoner
Early plots to restore Paul?
Detected and snuffed out (1769-70)
What also exposed Catherine to threats to power?
Pretenders
Issues with pretenders?
At least 24 claimed to be Peter III
–> Catherine lucky to survive
–> plots in favour of Paul came from elite but pretenders were persons from humble origin
Who was the most dangerous pretender of all?
Emilian Pugachev
–> Don Cossack with tradition of turbulent resistance to Tsarist reign
–> commissioned as junior lieutenant of cavalry durinf first Turk war
How did service for Pugachev have a dark side?
- Severly whipped for leaving horse to stray
- plucked from wife and sons for service
- (1771) home on sick leave decided not to come back and became hunted deserter
What did Pugachev once he deserted?
posed as a wealthy merchant
–> arrived at Cossack settlement
What were causes of Pugachev revolt?
irritation at the pace of Russian colonisation and the interference of Tsarist officials
- (subsidiary argument) serfs resented the edict giving masters greater control of lives in 1762
Cause of the Pugachev revolt related to Peter III?
People believed Peter was still alive and might come to save his people
- naive monarchism
- exploited by pretenders
First events of Pugachev revolt?
(Nov 1772) Pugachev first appeared and discontent turned into a violent rebellion
–> some cossack leaders who collaborated with state were murdered
–> needed a leader, Pugachev chosen for 1773 insurgency
What could have been Pugachev’s military aims?
1)To march on Moscow and reclaim the throne (could have been unnecessary propaganda)
2) meant to lead forces intoOttoman Empire
–> when impossible turned to Russian interior
How did revolt get recruits?
proclomation aimed at getting as many dissidents
–> recruits flocked in
–> formidable army beseiged orenburg
How did revolt progress after recruits?
developed rudimentary amin. system and own War college
Look of the Pugachev revolt?
most dangerous of all uprisings
Beginning weakness of Pugachev?
indiscipline
lack of clear command structure
lack of scientific siege-craft
tactical inability to face regular troops in battle
Pugachev revolt progress after siege?
(1774) fighting spread to Urals
–> Pugachev linked with rebellious factory serfs and Bashkirs
–> 2/3 Russian forces beaten in battle
–> 1 reached Orenburg
How did the 1 Russian force do against Pugachev?
Defeated in battle
Pugachev too main army of 20,000 to Volga + captured Samara
How was Pugachevs army first weakened?
On way to Kazak, Russian relief force arrived
–> 1/3 Pugachev men taken or killed
–> most survivors abandoned him
–> only 500 followers by the end
What was Pugachevs next steps after army was weakened?
Headed for DOn to raise new army and march on Moscow
–> issued edict appealing to Volga sers (terrorised landlords and rebuilt his forces)
–> recruits poured in
–> panic in Moscow
Catherine reaction to Pugachevs unlikely recruit and army to Moscow?
send in her best military commanders
How did end of Pugachev occured?
sudden and unexpected
(1774) Cossacks failed to rise
Gov. army left 9000 rebels dead
Under panin, army disintergrated
What happened to Pugachev?
Betrayed by own followers
Captured and hauled in iron cage + paraded to Moscow
(10th Jan 1775) behaded and dismembered
