Paul I: who he was
Paul I was born in 1754, the son of Catherine II and Peter III. His mother kept him away from power for many years and they disliked each other. He became emperor in November 1796 at age 42, when Catherine died. He ruled for about five years. He reversed many of his mother's policies and wanted order, rank and discipline in the state.
Law of succession (1797)
Peter the Great had allowed the ruler to choose the heir. After 1725 this led to many palace coups. At his coronation on 5 April 1797 Paul issued an Act of Succession: the throne passes to the eldest son, then the next sons, and only if there are no sons, to the female line. This rule lasted until 1917.
Serfs, nobles and strict order
On the same day Paul issued a manifesto saying landowners should not make serfs work for them more than three days a week, and not on Sundays. It was a limit on paper and difficult to enforce. At the same time Paul gave nobles heavier duties and cancelled some privileges from Catherine's time. He wanted strict army order like in Prussia, with set uniforms and drill, and many harsh punishments for officers' small mistakes. He tightened censorship and banned many foreign books in 1800.
Foreign policy and the end of the reign
Russia joined Austria and Britain against revolutionary France in 1798. General Alexander Suvorov won in northern Italy and in 1799 led his army over the Alps in Switzerland. Admiral Fyodor Ushakov took the Ionian Islands in the Mediterranean. Paul also became Grand Master of the Order of Malta in 1798.
In 1800 Paul quarrelled with Austria and Britain and moved toward peace with France, even planning a march toward India. Many nobles and officers feared his sudden anger. In March 1801 a group of officers took part in a palace plot and Paul died. His son Alexander I became emperor.
Key formulas and definitions
- 1796: Paul I becomes emperor
- 1797 (April): Act of Succession; serfs no more than 3 days a week
- 1798 to 1799: war against France; Suvorov crosses the Alps (1799)
- 1800: foreign books banned; break with allies
- 1801 (March): Paul dies in a palace plot; Alexander I follows
Worked examples
1. What did the Act of Succession of 1797 say?
The crown passes from father to eldest son, then to the next sons. It ended the ruler's right to pick any heir.
2. A landowner takes 5 work days a week. Paul's limit is 3. How many days is the least a serf must get back?
5 - 3 = 2 days (if the landowner obeyed).
3. Why did some nobles and officers turn against Paul?
He cut some of their privileges, gave harsh punishments, changed rules suddenly and was quick to anger, so many felt unsafe.
Common mistakes
- Thinking Paul freed the serfs. He only limited work to three days a week on paper.
- Mixing Paul with Peter. Paul I (1796 to 1801) was Catherine's son; Peter I was the Great.
- Saying the succession law ended palace coups for ever. It reduced them, but Paul himself died in a plot.
- Mixing the years: law and manifesto 1797, Alps 1799, end March 1801.