The Transfer of Power in Post-Petrine Russia: The Fate of Empress Anna’s Throne

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15826/qr.2021.3.621

Keywords:

Anna Ioannovna, Anna Leopoldovna, succession to the throne, dynastic marriages, A. I. Osterman, Anton-Ulrich of Brauschnweig-Wolfenbüttel

Abstract

This paper publishes a previously unknown historical source, a note supposedly written by A. I. Osterman, a major political figure in the reign of Empress Anna. The note is devoted to the search for a matrimonial match with a foreign prince for Anna Leopoldovna, the empress’ niece and potentially mother of the future heir. The note testifies to its author’s deep knowledge of the foreign policy situation and dynastic ties in Western Europe and ability to outline the most rational and useful vector for Russia’s dynastic policy. Having carefully analysed the foreign policy and dynastic situation in Germany, the note’s author is inclined to count on Prussia’s help in choosing a match for Anna Leopoldovna, either from the Prussian House of Hohenzollern or from the House of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.

Author Biography

Evgeny Anisimov

Dr. Hab. (History), Chief Researcher, St Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Professor, HSE University (St Petersburg Branch).

7, Petrozavodskaya Str., 197110, St Petersburg, Russia.

16, Soyuza Pechatnikov Str., 190121, St Petersburg, Russia.

ORCID 0000-0001-9093-586X

vbrevis@yandex.ru

References

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Published

2021-09-29

How to Cite

Anisimov, E. (2021). The Transfer of Power in Post-Petrine Russia: The Fate of Empress Anna’s Throne. Quaestio Rossica, 9(3), 965–976. https://doi.org/10.15826/qr.2021.3.621

Issue

Section

Origines