Peter III:
Quick Facts:
Born: 21st February 1728
Where was he born?: Kiel, Russia
Died: 17th July 1762
Where did he die?: Ropsha, Russia
Where was he born?: Kiel, Russia
Died: 17th July 1762
Where did he die?: Ropsha, Russia
Life:
Peter III was born in 1728 to former Empress of Russia, Anna Petrovna. Sadly, both his parents died when he was young which caused his aunt, Elizabeth I, to become his legal guardian. Peter was raised as a German resulting in the absence of his ability to speak Russian and his pro-Prussia attitude (Prussia = old Germany) which made him extremely disliked by the Russian population. He attempted to learn Russian (according to his contemporaries’ memoirs) however, Peter did not love the country, did not care about its history and people, and despised Orthodox traditions. Peter III was Emperor of Russia, until his death, for approximately six months in 1762.
Appearance and behaviour:
Catherine writes in her memoirs the appearance and behaviour of Peter III:
"Nature had made him mean, the smallpox had made him hideous, and his degraded habits made him loathsome. And Peter had all the sentiments of the worst kind of small German prince of the time. He had the conviction that his princeship entitled him to disregard decency and the feelings of others. He planned brutal practical jokes, in which blows had always a share. His most manly taste did not rise above the kind of military interest which has been defined as "corporal's mania," the passion for uniforms, pipeclay, buttons, the "tricks of parade and the froth of discipline." He detested the Russians, and surrounded himself with Holsteiners." Peter III also acted as a boy, by playing with toy soldiers and re-enacting battle scenes, which was seen to be very unusual (especially to Catherine).
Peter's unusual and immature behaviour was further extended by other actions such as, bringing hunting dogs to bed, spying on Elizabeth I through a hole in her wall, making Catherine play with tin-soldiers with him and he even took a rat to court and charged it with eating one of his wax soldiers. The poor animal was unable to testify in self-defence, which was regarded as pleading guilty, therefore it was convicted and hung.
"Nature had made him mean, the smallpox had made him hideous, and his degraded habits made him loathsome. And Peter had all the sentiments of the worst kind of small German prince of the time. He had the conviction that his princeship entitled him to disregard decency and the feelings of others. He planned brutal practical jokes, in which blows had always a share. His most manly taste did not rise above the kind of military interest which has been defined as "corporal's mania," the passion for uniforms, pipeclay, buttons, the "tricks of parade and the froth of discipline." He detested the Russians, and surrounded himself with Holsteiners." Peter III also acted as a boy, by playing with toy soldiers and re-enacting battle scenes, which was seen to be very unusual (especially to Catherine).
Peter's unusual and immature behaviour was further extended by other actions such as, bringing hunting dogs to bed, spying on Elizabeth I through a hole in her wall, making Catherine play with tin-soldiers with him and he even took a rat to court and charged it with eating one of his wax soldiers. The poor animal was unable to testify in self-defence, which was regarded as pleading guilty, therefore it was convicted and hung.
Popularity:
The Russian people hated Peter almost as much as Catherine did. He was a fanatic for Prussian customs and ways, and at the time tensions were growing between Russia and Prussia. The uniforms of the Russian army were changed to the Prussian uniforms and the Russian ways of war and
fighting were discarded for the Prussian art of war.
This hatred towards Peter III resulted in his death (see information below)
fighting were discarded for the Prussian art of war.
This hatred towards Peter III resulted in his death (see information below)
Death:
Peter III was assassinated on the 17th July 1762 in order for Catherine II to seize power and gain the throne of Russia, this is commonly referred to as a 'coup'. Catherine says she had not ordered for Peter's assassination, however some question this.