For almost 400 years of existence of this title, it was worn completely different people- from adventurers and liberals to tyrants and conservatives.

Rurikovich

Over the years, Russia (from Rurik to Putin) has changed its political system many times. At first, the rulers bore the title of prince. When, after a period of political fragmentation, a new Russian state was formed around Moscow, the owners of the Kremlin thought about accepting the royal title.

This was done under Ivan the Terrible (1547-1584). This one decided to marry the kingdom. And this decision was not accidental. So the Moscow monarch emphasized that he was the legal successor It was they who bestowed Orthodoxy on Russia. In the 16th century, Byzantium no longer existed (it fell under the onslaught of the Ottomans), so Ivan the Terrible rightly believed that his act would have serious symbolic significance.

Such historical figures as this king had a great influence on the development of the entire country. In addition to the fact that Ivan the Terrible changed his title, he also captured the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates, starting Russian expansion to the East.

Ivan's son Fedor (1584-1598) was distinguished by weak character and health. Nevertheless, under him, the state continued to develop. The patriarchate was established. The rulers have always paid much attention to the issue of succession to the throne. This time he stood up especially sharply. Fedor had no children. When he died, the Rurik dynasty on the Moscow throne was suppressed.

Time of Troubles

After the death of Fyodor, Boris Godunov (1598-1605), his brother-in-law, came to power. He did not belong to the reigning family, and many considered him a usurper. With him because of natural disasters a colossal famine began. The tsars and presidents of Russia have always tried to keep the provinces calm. Due to the tense situation, Godunov failed to do this. Several peasant uprisings took place in the country.

In addition, the adventurer Grishka Otrepiev called himself one of the sons of Ivan the Terrible and began a military campaign against Moscow. He really managed to capture the capital and become king. Boris Godunov did not live up to this moment - he died from health complications. His son Fyodor II was captured by False Dmitry's associates and killed.

The impostor ruled for only a year, after which he was overthrown during the Moscow uprising, inspired by disgruntled Russian boyars, who did not like the fact that False Dmitry surrounded himself with Catholic Poles. decided to transfer the crown to Vasily Shuisky (1606-1610). In the Time of Troubles, the rulers of Russia often changed.

The princes, tsars and presidents of Russia had to carefully guard their power. Shuisky did not keep her and was overthrown by the Polish invaders.

The first Romanovs

When in 1613 Moscow was liberated from foreign invaders, the question arose of who to make the sovereign. In this text, all the kings of Russia are presented in order (with portraits). Now it's time to talk about the ascension to the throne of the Romanov dynasty.

The first sovereign of this kind - Michael (1613-1645) - was quite a young man when he was put to rule a huge country. Its main goal was the struggle with Poland for the lands it had seized during the Time of Troubles.

These were the biographies of the rulers and the dates of their reign until the middle of the 17th century. After Michael, his son Alexei (1645-1676) ruled. He annexed the left-bank Ukraine and Kiev to Russia. So, after several centuries of fragmentation and Lithuanian domination, the fraternal peoples finally began to live in one country.

Alexei had many sons. The eldest of them, Fedor III (1676-1682), died at a young age. After him came the simultaneous reign of two children - Ivan and Peter.

Peter the Great

Ivan Alekseevich was unable to govern the country. Therefore, in 1689, the sole reign of Peter the Great began. He completely rebuilt the country in a European manner. Russia - from Rurik to Putin (in chronological order consider all the rulers) - knows few examples of an era so saturated with changes.

A new army and navy appeared. For this, Peter started a war against Sweden. The Northern War lasted 21 years. In the course of it, the Swedish army was defeated, and the kingdom agreed to cede its southern Baltic lands. St. Petersburg, the new capital of Russia, was founded in this region in 1703. Peter's successes made him think about changing the title. In 1721 he became emperor. However, this change did not abolish the royal title - in everyday speech monarchs continued to be called tsars.

The era of palace coups

The death of Peter was followed by a long period of instability of power. Monarchs succeeded each other with enviable regularity, which was facilitated. At the head of these changes, as a rule, there was a guard or certain courtiers. This era was ruled by Catherine I (1725-1727), Peter II (1727-1730), Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740), Ivan VI (1740-1741), Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1761) and Peter III (1761-1762) ).

The last of them was of German origin. Under the predecessor Peter III Elizabeth Russia waged a victorious war against Prussia. The new monarch abandoned all conquests, returned Berlin to the king and concluded a peace treaty. By this act, he signed his own death warrant. The guards organized another palace coup, after which the wife of Peter, Catherine II, was on the throne.

Catherine II and Paul I

Catherine II (1762-1796) had a deep state mind. On the throne, she began to pursue a policy of enlightened absolutism. The Empress organized the work of the famous commissioned commission, the purpose of which was to prepare a comprehensive project of reforms in Russia. She also wrote the Mandate. This document contained many considerations about the necessary reforms for the country. The reforms were curtailed when a peasant uprising under the leadership of Pugachev broke out in the Volga region in the 1770s.

All the tsars and presidents of Russia (in chronological order we have listed all the royal persons) made sure that the country looked worthy on the external arena. She was no exception. She carried out several successful military campaigns against Turkey. As a result, Crimea and other important Black Sea regions were annexed to Russia. At the end of Catherine's reign, there were three partitions of Poland. So the Russian Empire received important acquisitions in the west.

After death great empress her son Paul I (1796-1801) came to power. This quarrelsome man was disliked by many in the St. Petersburg elite.

First half of the 19th century

In 1801, the next and last palace coup took place. A group of conspirators dealt with Paul. His son Alexander I (1801-1825) was on the throne. His reign fell on World War II and the invasion of Napoleon. The rulers of the Russian state have not faced such a serious hostile intervention for two centuries. Despite the capture of Moscow, Bonaparte was defeated. Alexander became the most popular and famous monarch of the Old World. He was also called the "liberator of Europe".

Inside his country, Alexander in his youth tried to implement liberal reforms. Historical figures often change their politics with age. So Alexander soon abandoned his ideas. He died in Taganrog in 1825 under mysterious circumstances.

At the beginning of the reign of his brother Nicholas I (1825-1855) there was an uprising of the Decembrists. Because of this, for thirty years, conservative orders triumphed in the country.

Second half of the 19th century

Here are all the tsars of Russia in order, with portraits. Next, we will focus on the main reformer of the national statehood - Alexander II (1855-1881). He initiated a manifesto for the emancipation of the peasants. The elimination of serfdom allowed the development Russian market and capitalism. Economic growth has begun in the country. The reforms also affected the judiciary, local government, administrative and conscription systems. The monarch tried to raise the country to its feet and learn the lessons that the lost one begun under Nicholas I taught him.

But the radicals were not satisfied with Alexander's reforms. Terrorists attempted several times on his life. In 1881, they were successful. Alexander II was killed by a bomb explosion. The news came as a shock to the whole world.

Because of what happened, the son of the deceased monarch, Alexander III (1881-1894), forever became a tough reactionary and conservative. But most of all he is known as a peacemaker. During his reign, Russia did not fight a single war.

The last king

Alexander III died in 1894. Power passed into the hands of Nicholas II (1894-1917) - his son and the last Russian monarch. By that time, the old world order with the absolute power of kings and kings had already outlived its usefulness. Russia - from Rurik to Putin - knew many upheavals, but it was under Nikolai that more than ever happened.

In 1904-1905. the country went through a humiliating war with Japan. The first revolution followed. Although the unrest was suppressed, the king had to make concessions to public opinion. He agreed to establish a constitutional monarchy and parliament.

The tsars and presidents of Russia at all times faced a certain opposition within the state. Now people could elect deputies who expressed these sentiments.

In 1914, the First began World War... No one then suspected that it would end with the fall of several empires at once, including the Russian one. In 1917, the February Revolution broke out, and the last tsar had to abdicate. Nicholas II and his family were shot by the Bolsheviks in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg.

Many believe that there is no need to know the history of their state. However, any historian is ready to seriously argue with this. After all, knowing the history of the rulers of Russia is very important not only for overall development but also in order not to make mistakes of the past.

In this article, we propose to familiarize yourself with the table of all the rulers of our country from the date of its foundation in chronological order. The article will help you find out who and when ruled our country, as well as what outstanding things have done for it.

Before the appearance of Russia on its future territory for many centuries lived a large number of different tribes, however, the history of our state started in the 10th century with the call to the throne of the Russian state of Rurik. He laid the foundation for the Rurik dynasty.

List of classification of rulers of Russia

It's no secret that history is a whole science that is studied. great amount people called historians. For convenience, the entire history of the development of our country was divided into the following stages:

1. Princes of Novgorod (from 863 to 882).
2. Great Kiev princes (from 882 to 1263).
3. Moscow principality (from 1283 to 1547).
4. Kings and Emperors (from 1547 to 1917).
5. USSR (from 1917 to 1991).
6. Presidents (from 1991 to the present day).

As can be understood from this list, the center of the political life of our state, in other words, the capital, has changed several times depending on the era and events taking place in the country. Until 1547, Rus was headed by the princes of the Rurik dynasty. However, after that, the process of monarchization of the country began, which continued until 1917, when the Bolsheviks came to power. Further, the collapse of the USSR, the emergence of independent countries on the territory of former Russia and, of course, the emergence of democracy.

So, to thoroughly study this issue, find out details about all the rulers of the state in chronological order, we suggest studying the information in the following chapters of the article.

Heads of state from 862 to the period of fragmentation

This period includes the Novgorod and Great Kiev princes. The main source of information that has survived to this day and helps all historians compile lists and tables of all rulers is the Tale of Bygone Years. Thanks to this document, they were able to accurately or as close as possible to establish all the dates of the reign of the Russian princes of that time.

So, list of Novgorod and Kiev princes looks like this:

Obviously, for any ruler, from Rurik to Putin, the main goal was to strengthen and modernize his state in the international arena. Of course, they all pursued the same goal, however, each of them preferred to go to the goal in their own way.

Fragmentation of Kievan Rus

After the reign of Yaropolk Vladimirovich, the process of a strong decline of Kiev and the state as a whole began. This period is called the times of the fragmentation of Russia. During this time, all the people who stood at the head of the state did not leave any significant trace in history, but only brought the state into its worst form.

Thus, until 1169, the following personalities managed to visit the ruler's throne: Izyavlav the Third, Izyaslav Chernigovsky, Vyacheslav Rurikovich, and also Rostislav Smolensky.

Vladimir princes

After fragmentation, the capital our state was moved to a city called Vladimir. This happened for the following reasons:

1. The Kiev principality underwent a total decline and weakening.
2. Several political centers arose in the country, which they tried to take over the rule.
3. The influence of the feudal lords grew every day.

The two most influential centers of influence on Russian politics were Vladimir and Galich. Although the Vladimir period was not as long as the rest, it left a serious mark on the history of the development of the Russian state. Therefore, it is necessary to make a list the following Vladimir princes:

• Prince Andrew - ruled for 15 years from 1169.
• Vsevolod - was in power for 36 long years, starting in 1176.
• Georgy Vsevolodovich - stood at the head of Russia from 1218 to 1238.
• Yaroslav was also the son of Vsevolod Andreevich. Rules from 1238 to 1246.
• Alexander Nevsky, who was on the throne for 11 long and productive years, came to power in 1252 and died in 1263. It's no secret that Nevsky was a great commander who made a huge contribution to the development of our state.
• Yaroslav the third - from 1263 to 1272.
• Dmitry the first - 1276 - 1283.
• Dmitry the second - 1284 - 1293.
• Andrei Gorodetsky was the Grand Duke who ruled from 1293 to 1303.
• Mikhail of Tverskoy, also called "Saint". Came to power in 1305 and died in 1317.

As you may have noticed, the rulers were not mentioned in this list for a certain amount of time. The fact is that they did not leave any significant trace in the history of the development of Russia. For this reason, they are not taught in the school course.

When the fragmentation of the country is over, the political center of the country was transferred to Moscow. Moscow princes:

For the next 10 years, Russia experienced a decline again. During these years, the Rurik dynasty was broken off, and various boyar families were in power.

The beginning of the Romanovs, the coming of the tsars to power, the monarchy

List of rulers of Russia from 1548 to the end of the 17th century is as follows:

• Ivan Vasilievich the Terrible is one of the most famous and useful rulers of Russia for the history. He ruled from 1548 to 1574, after which the reign was interrupted for 2 years.
• Semyon Kasimovsky (1574 - 1576).
• Ivan the Terrible returned to power and ruled until 1584.
• Tsar Fedor (1584 - 1598).

After Fyodor's death, it turned out that he had no heirs. From that moment on, the state began to experience new problems. They lasted until 1612... The Rurik dynasty was over. It was replaced by a new one: the Romanov dynasty. They began their reign in 1613.

• Mikhail Romanov is the first representative of the Romanovs. He ruled from 1613 to 1645.
• After the death of Mikhail, his heir Alexei Mikhailovich sat on the throne. (1645 - 1676)
• Fedor Alekseevich (1676 - 1682).
• Sophia, Fedor's sister. When Fedor died, his heirs were not yet ready to come to power. Therefore, the emperor's sister ascended the throne. She ruled from 1682 to 1689.

It cannot be denied that with the advent of the Romanov dynasty, stability has finally arrived in Russia. They were able to do what the Rurikovichs had been striving for for so long. Namely: useful reforms, strengthening of power, territorial growth and banal strengthening. Finally, Russia has entered the world field as one of the favorites.

Peter I

Historians claim that for all the improvements in our state we owe it to Peter I. He is rightfully considered the great Russian tsar and emperor.

Peter the Great launched the flourishing process Of the Russian state, the fleet and the army were strengthened. He pursued an aggressive foreign policy, which at times strengthened Russia's position in the global race for supremacy. Of course, even before him, many rulers realized that the armed forces are the key to the success of the state, however, only he managed to achieve such success in this area.

After Great Peter the list of rulers Russian Empire as follows:

The monarchy in the Russian Empire existed for quite a long time and left a huge mark on its history. The Romanov dynasty is one of the most legendary in the world. However, like everything else, it was destined to end after the October Revolution, which changed the way of the state for a republic. There were no more kings in power.

Soviet times

After the execution of Nicholas II and his family, Vladimir Lenin came to power. At this moment, the state of the USSR(Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was legally registered. Lenin ruled the country until 1924.

List of rulers of the USSR:

During the Gorbachev era, the country once again experienced colossal changes. The USSR collapsed, as well as the emergence of independent states on the territory of the former USSR. Boris Yeltsin, the president of independent Russia, came to power by force. He ruled from 1991 to 1999.

In 1999, Boris Yeltsin voluntarily left the post of President of Russia, leaving behind a successor to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. A year after that, Putin was officially elected by the people and was at the head of Russia until 2008.

In 2008, regular elections were held, in which Dmitry Medvedev, who ruled until 2012, won. In 2012, Vladimir Putin was again elected president Russian Federation and holds the presidency today.

History of the Russian monarchy

The creation of the summer residence of the Russian emperors, Tsarskoye Selo, depended more on the personal tastes, and sometimes just the whims of its changing august owners. Since 1834 Tsarskoe Selo became a "sovereign" estate belonging to the reigning monarch. From that time on, it could not be bequeathed, not subject to division or any kind of alienation, but was transferred to the new king with accession to the throne. Here, in a cozy corner, next to the capital of St. Petersburg, imperial family was not only an august family, whose life was elevated to the rank of state policy, but also a large friendly family, with all the inherent human interests and joys.

EMPEROR PETER I

Peter I Alekseevich (1672-1725) - tsar since 1682, emperor since 1721. Son of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1629-1676) from his second marriage with Natalia Kirillovna Naryshkina (1651-1694). Statesman, commander, diplomat, founder of the city of St. Petersburg. Peter I was married twice: his first marriage was to Evdokia Fedorovna Lopukhina (1669-1731), from whom he had a son, Tsarevich Alexei (1690-1718), who was executed in 1718; two sons who died in infancy; second marriage - to Ekaterina Alekseevna Skavronskaya (1683-1727; later Empress Catherine I), from whom he had 9 children, most of whom, with the exception of Anna (1708-1728) and Elizabeth (1709-1761; later Empress Elizabeth Petrovna), died minors. During the Northern War (1700-1721), Peter I annexed to Russia the lands along the Neva River, in Karelia and the Baltic States, previously conquered by Sweden, including the territory with the manor - Saris hoff, Saaris Moisio, on which a ceremonial summer residence was later created Russian emperors - Tsarskoe Selo. In 1710, Peter I presented the manor to his wife Ekaterina Alekseevna, and the manor was named "Sarskaya" or "Sarskoye Selo".

EMPRESS EKATERINA I

Catherine I Alekseevna (1684-1727) - Empress since 1725. She ascended the throne after the death of her husband, Emperor Peter I (1672-1725). She was declared queen in 1711, empress in 1721, and crowned in 1724. It was combined in a church marriage with Emperor Peter I in 1712. The daughter of the Lithuanian peasant Samuil Skavronsky before the adoption of Orthodoxy bore the name Marta. The first royal owner of the Sarskoye Selo, the future Tsarskoye Selo, after whom the Great Tsarskoye Selo Palace was later named Catherine's. Under her, here in 1717-1723 the first stone structures, which formed the basis of the Catherine Palace, and part of the regular park was laid out.

EMPEROR PETER II

Peter II Alekseevich (1715 - 1730) - emperor since 1727. Son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich (1690-1718) and Princess Charlotte-Christine-Sophia of Braunschweig - Wolfenbüttel (died 1715); grandson of Peter I (1672-1725) and Evdokia Lopukhina (1669-1731). He ascended the throne after the death of Empress Catherine I in 1727 according to her will. After the death of Catherine I, the Sarskoye village was inherited by her daughter, Tsarevna Elizabeth (1709-1761; future Empress Elizabeth Petrovna). At this time, the wings of the Great (Catherine) Palace were erected here and the park and the improvement of reservoirs were further developed.

EMPRESS ANNA IOANOVNA

Anna Ioanovna (1693-1740) - Empress since 1730. Daughter of Tsar John V Alekseevich (1666-1696) and Tsarina Praskovya Feodorovna, nee Saltykova (1664-1723). She ascended the throne after the death of her cousin Emperor Peter II (1715-1730) and was crowned in 1730. During this period, Sarskoye Selo (the future Tsarskoye Selo) belonged to Tsarevna Elizabeth (1709-1761; later Empress Elizabeth Petrovna) and was used as a country residence and a hunting castle.

EMPEROR IVAN VI

John VI Antonovich (1740-1764) - Emperor from 1740 to 1741. The son of the niece of Empress Anna Ioanovna (1693-1740), Princess Anna Leopoldovna of Mecklenburg and Prince Anton-Ulrich of Braunschweig-Luneburg. He was enthroned after the death of his great-aunt, Empress Anna Ioanovna, according to her will. On November 9, 1740, his mother Anna Leopoldovna made a palace coup and declared herself the ruler of Russia. In 1741, as a result of a palace coup, the ruler Anna Leopoldovna and the young emperor Ioann Antonovich were dethroned from the throne by Cesar Elizabeth (1709-1761), daughter of Peter I (1672-1725). During this time, there were no significant changes in Sarskoye Selo (the future Tsarskoye Selo).

EMPRESS ELIZAVETA PETROVNA

Elizaveta Petrovna (1709-1761) - Empress since 1741, ascended the throne, overthrowing Emperor John VI Antonovich (1740-1764). Daughter of Emperor Peter I (1672-1725) and Empress Catherine I (1684-1727). She owned the Sarsk village (future Tsarskoe Selo) since 1727, which Catherine I bequeathed to her. After her accession to the throne, Elizaveta Petrovna ordered a significant reconstruction and expansion of the Grand Palace (later the Catherine Palace), the creation of a New Garden and the expansion of the old park, the construction of park pavilions of the Hermitage, Grotto and others in Sarskoye Selo (later Tsarskoe Selo).

EMPEROR PETER III

Peter III Fedorovich (1728-1762) - Emperor from 1761 to 1762. The son of the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp Karl Friedrich and the crown princess Anna Petrovna (1708-1728), the grandson of Emperor Peter I (1672-1725). Before the adoption of Orthodoxy, he bore the name Karl-Peter-Ulrich. The founder of the Holstein-Gottorp line of the House of Romanovs on the Russian throne, which ruled until 1917. He was married to Princess Sophia-Friderick-Augusta of Anhalt-Zerbst (1729-1796), who after the adoption of Orthodoxy received the name Ekaterina Alekseevna (later Empress Catherine II). From his marriage to Ekaterina Alekseevna he had two children: a son Paul (1754-1801; future Emperor Paul I) and a daughter who died in infancy. He was overthrown from the throne in 1762 as a result of a palace coup by his wife Ekaterina Alekseevna and killed. During the short reign of Peter III, there were no significant changes in the appearance of Tsarskoye Selo.

EMPRESS EKATERINA II

Catherine II Alekseevna (1729-1796) - Empress since 1762. She ascended the throne by overthrowing her husband, Emperor Peter III Fedorovich (1728-1762). German princess Sophia-Friderica-Augusta of Anhalt-Zerbst. After the adoption of Orthodoxy, she received the name Ekaterina Alekseevna. In 1745 she married the heir to the Russian throne, Peter Fedorovich, later Emperor Peter III. From this marriage she had two children: a son Paul (1754-1801; future emperor Paul I) and a daughter who died in infancy. The reign of Catherine II significantly influenced the appearance of Tsarskoye Selo, it was during her reign that the former Sarskoye Selo began to be called so. Tsarskoe Selo was the favorite summer residence of Catherine II. By her order, the rebuilding of the Bolshoi (at the end of the reign of Catherine II it was called Catherine) palace was carried out, the design of new interiors in it, the creation of the landscape part of the Catherine Park, the construction of park structures: the Cameron Gallery, the Cold Bath, Agate Rooms and others, the construction of the Alexandrovsky palace.

EMPEROR PAUL I

Paul I Petrovich (1754-1801) - emperor since 1796. Son of Emperor Peter III (1728-1762) and Empress Catherine II (1729-1796). He was married twice: by his first marriage (1773), to the German princess Wilhelmina-Louise of Hesse-Darmstadt (1755-1776), after the adoption of Orthodoxy, named Natalya Alekseevna, who died of childbirth in 1776; second marriage (1776) - to the German princess Sophia-Dorothea-Augusta-Louise of Württemberg (1759-1828; in Orthodoxy Maria Feodorovna), from which he had 10 children - 4 sons, including the future emperors Alexander I (1777-1825 ) and Nicholas I (1796-1855), and 6 daughters. He was killed during a palace coup in 1801. Paul I did not like Tsarskoe Selo and preferred Gatchina and Pavlovsk to him. At this time, in Tsarskoye Selo, the interiors in the Alexander Palace were being made out for the Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich (later Emperor Alexander I), the eldest son of Emperor Paul I.

EMPEROR ALEXANDER I

Alexander I Pavlovich (1777-1825) - Emperor since 1801. The eldest son of Emperor Paul I (1754-1801) and his second wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna (1759-1828). He ascended the throne after the assassination of his father, Emperor Paul I, as a result of a palace conspiracy. He was married to the German princess Louise-Maria-Augusta of Baden-Baden (1779-1826), who adopted the name Elizaveta Alekseevna during her conversion to Orthodoxy, from whose marriage he had two daughters who died in infancy. During his reign, Tsarskoe Selo again acquired the significance of the main suburban imperial residence. New interiors were designed in the Catherine Palace, and various structures were built in the Catherine and Alexander parks.

EMPEROR NICHOLAS I

Nicholas I Pavlovich (1796-1855) - Emperor since 1825. The third son of Emperor Paul I (1754-1801) and Empress Maria Feodorovna (1759-1828). He ascended the throne after the death of his elder brother, Emperor Alexander I (1777-1825) and in connection with the renunciation of the throne of the second eldest son of Emperor Paul I, Grand Duke Constantine (1779-1831). He was married (1817) to the Prussian princess Frederick-Louise-Charlotte-Wilhelmina (1798-1860), who adopted the name of Alexandra Feodorovna during her conversion to Orthodoxy. They had 7 children, including the future emperor Alexander II (1818-1881). During this period, the design of new interiors in the Catherine and Alexander palaces, the expansion of the number of park structures in the Catherine and Alexander parks took place in Tsarskoye Selo.

EMPEROR ALEXANDER II

Alexander II Nikolaevich (1818-1881) - Emperor since 1855. The eldest son of Emperor Nicholas I (1796-1855) and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (1798-1860). Statesman, reformer, diplomat. He was married to the German princess Maximilian-Wilhelmina-Augusta-Sophia-Maria of Hesse-Darmstadt (1824-1880), who was named Maria Alexandrovna after the adoption of Orthodoxy. This marriage had 8 children, including the future emperor Alexander III (1845-1894). After the death of his wife Maria Alexandrovna, he entered into a morganatic marriage in 1880 with Princess Ekaterina Mikhailovna Dolgorukova (1849-1922), who, after her marriage to the emperor, received the title of Most Serene Princess Yuryevskaya. From E. M. Dolgorukova, Alexander II had three children who inherited the mother's surname and title. In 1881, Emperor Alexander II was killed by a bomb thrown at him by revolutionary terrorist II Grinevitsky. During his reign, there were no significant changes in the appearance of the Tsarskoye Selo imperial residence. New interiors were created in the Catherine Palace and part of the Catherine Park was redeveloped.

EMPEROR ALEXANDER III

Alexander III Alexandrovich (1845-1894) - Emperor since 1881. The second son of Emperor Alexander II (1818-1881) and Empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824-1880). He ascended the throne after the assassination of his father, Emperor Alexander II, by a revolutionary terrorist in 1881. Was married (1866) to Danish princess Mary-Sophia-Frederick-Dagmare (1847-1928), who adopted the name Maria Fedorovna during her conversion to Orthodoxy. This marriage gave birth to 6 children, including the future Emperor Nicholas II (1868-1918). At this time, there were no significant changes in the architectural appearance of Tsarskoye Selo, the changes affected only the decoration of some of the interiors of the Catherine Palace.

EMPEROR NICHOLAS II

Nicholas II Alexandrovich (1868-1918) - the last Russian emperor - ruled from 1894 to 1917. Eldest son of the emperor Alexander III(1845-1894) and Empress Maria Feodorovna (1847-1928). He was married (1894) to the German princess Alice-Victoria-Helena-Louise-Beatrice of Hesse-Darmstadt (1872-1918), who was named Alexandra Feodorovna after the adoption of Orthodoxy. From this marriage there were 5 children: daughters - Olga (1895-1918), Tatiana (1897-1918), Maria (1899-1918) and Anastasia (1901-1918); son - Tsarevich, heir to the throne Alexei (1904-1918). As a result of the revolution that took place in Russia on March 2, 1917, Emperor Nicholas II abdicated the throne. After the abdication, Nicholas II and his family were arrested and kept in custody in the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo, from where on August 14, 1917, Nikolai Romanov and his family were sent to Tobolsk. July 17, 1918 former emperor Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra Feodorovna and five children were shot by order of the revolutionary government. During the reign of Nicholas II in Tsarskoye Selo, the design of new interiors in the Alexander Palace took place, the construction of the Fedorovsky town in Tsarskoye Selo - an architectural ensemble, solved in the forms of ancient Russian architecture.

The history of Russia is more than a thousand years old, although even before the emergence of the state, a variety of tribes lived on its territory. The last ten-century period can be divided into several stages. All the rulers of Russia, from Rurik to Putin, are people who were true sons and daughters of their eras.

The main historical stages of the development of Russia

Historians consider the following classification to be the most convenient:

The reign of the Novgorod princes (862-882);

Yaroslav the Wise (1016-1054);

From 1054 to 1068 Izyaslav Yaroslavovich was in power;

From 1068 to 1078, the list of Russian rulers was replenished with several names at once (Vseslav Bryachislavovich, Izyaslav Yaroslavovich, Svyatoslav and Vsevolod Yaroslavovich, in 1078 Izyaslav Yaroslavovich again ruled)

The year 1078 was marked by some stabilization in the political arena, until 1093 Vsevolod Yaroslavovich ruled;

Svyatopolk Izyaslavovich was on the throne from 1093 to;

Vladimir, nicknamed Monomakh (1113-1125) - one of the best princes of Kievan Rus;

From 1132 to 1139, Yaropolk Vladimirovich had power.

All the rulers of Russia, from Rurik to Putin, who lived and ruled during this period and up to the present, saw their main task in the country's prosperity and strengthening the country's role in the European arena. Another thing is that each of them went to the goal in its own way, sometimes in a completely different direction than their predecessors.

The period of fragmentation of Kievan Rus

During the times of the feudal fragmentation of Russia, changes on the main princely throne were frequent. None of the princes left a serious trace in the history of Russia. By the middle of the XIII century, Kiev fell into absolute decline. It is worth mentioning only a few princes who ruled in the XII century. So, from 1139 to 1146, Vsevolod Olgovich was the prince of Kiev. In 1146, Igor II was at the helm for two weeks, after which Izyaslav Mstislavovich ruled for three years. Until 1169, such people as Vyacheslav Rurikovich, Rostislav Smolensky, Izyaslav Chernigovsky, Yuri Dolgoruky, Izyaslav the Third managed to visit the princely throne.

The capital moves to Vladimir

The period of formation of late feudalism in Russia was characterized by several manifestations:

Weakening of the Kiev princely power;

The emergence of several centers of influence that competed with each other;

Strengthening the influence of the feudal lords.

On the territory of Russia, 2 of the most major centers influences: Vladimir and Galich. Galich is the most important political center at that time (located on the territory of modern Western Ukraine). It seems interesting to study the list of the rulers of Russia who reigned in Vladimir. The importance of this period in history has yet to be appreciated by researchers. Of course, the Vladimir period in the development of Russia was not as long as the Kiev period, but it was after him that the formation of monarchical Russia began. Consider the dates of the reign of all the rulers of Russia of this time. In the first years of this stage of development of Russia, the rulers changed quite often, there was no stability that would appear later. For more than 5 years, the following princes were in power in Vladimir:

Andrew (1169-1174);

Vsevolod, son of Andrey (1176-1212);

Georgy Vsevolodovich (1218-1238);

Yaroslav, son of Vsevolod (1238-1246);

Alexander Nevskiy), great commander (1252- 1263);

Yaroslav III (1263-1272);

Dmitry I (1276-1283);

Dmitry II (1284-1293);

Andrey Gorodetsky (1293-1304);

Michael "Saint" Tverskoy (1305-1317).

All the rulers of Russia after the transfer of the capital to Moscow before the appearance of the first tsars

The transfer of the capital from Vladimir to Moscow chronologically roughly coincides with the end of the period of feudal fragmentation of Russia and the strengthening of the main center of political influence. Most of the princes were on the throne longer than the rulers of the Vladimir period. So:

Prince Ivan (1328-1340);

Semyon Ivanovich (1340-1353);

Ivan Red (1353-1359);

Alexey Byakont (1359-1368);

Dmitry (Donskoy), famous commander (1368-1389);

Vasily Dmitrievich (1389-1425);

Sophia Litovskaya (1425-1432);

Vasily the Dark (1432-1462);

Ivan III (1462-1505)

Vasily Ivanovich (1505-1533);

Elena Glinskaya (1533-1538);

The decade before 1548 in the history of Russia was a difficult period when the situation developed in such a way that the princely dynasty actually ended. There was a period of timelessness when boyar families were in power.

The rule of tsars in Russia: the beginning of the monarchy

Historians distinguish three chronological periods in the development of the Russian monarchy: before the accession to the throne of Peter the Great, the reign of Peter the Great and after him. The dates of the reign of all the rulers of Russia from 1548 to the end of the 17th century are as follows:

Ivan Vasilievich the Terrible (1548-1574);

Semyon Kasimovsky (1574-1576);

Again Ivan the Terrible (1576-1584);

Fedor (1584-1598).

Tsar Fyodor had no heirs, so it was interrupted. - one of the most difficult periods in the history of our homeland. The rulers were replaced almost every year. Since 1613, the Romanov dynasty has ruled the country:

Michael, the first representative of the Romanov dynasty (1613-1645);

Alexei Mikhailovich, son of the first emperor (1645-1676);

He ascended the throne in 1676 and reigned for 6 years;

Sophia, his sister, ruled from 1682 to 1689.

In the 17th century, stability finally came to Russia. The central power was strengthened, reforms gradually began, which led to the fact that Russia grew territorially and strengthened, the leading world powers began to reckon with it. The main merit in changing the appearance of the state belongs to the great Peter I (1689-1725), who at the same time became the first emperor.

The rulers of Russia after Peter

During the reign of Peter the Great, it flourished when the empire acquired its own strong fleet and strengthened the army. All the rulers of Russia, from Rurik to Putin, understood the importance of the armed forces, but few were given the opportunity to realize the country's enormous potential. An important feature at that time was aggressive foreign policy Russia, which manifested itself in the forcible annexation of new regions ( Russian-Turkish wars, Azov campaign).

The chronology of the rulers of Russia from 1725 to 1917 is as follows:

Ekaterina Skavronskaya (1725-1727);

Peter II (killed in 1730);

Tsarina Anna (1730-1740);

Ivan Antonovich (1740-1741);

Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1761);

Peter Fedorovich (1761-1762);

Catherine the Great (1762-1796)

Pavel Petrovich (1796-1801);

Alexander I (1801-1825);

Nicholas I (1825-1855);

Alexander II (1855 - 1881)

Alexander III (1881-1894);

Nicholas II - the last of the Romanovs, ruled until 1917.

This ends a huge period of development of the state, when the tsars were in power. After the October Revolution, a new political structure appeared - the republic.

Russia during the Soviet era and after its collapse

The first few years after the revolution were difficult. Among the rulers of this period, one can single out Alexander Fedorovich Kerensky. After the legalization of the USSR as a state and until 1924, Vladimir Lenin was in charge of the country. Further, the chronology of the rulers of Russia looks like this:

Dzhugashvili Joseph Vissarionovich (1924-1953);

Nikita Khrushchev was the First Secretary of the CPSU after Stalin's death until 1964;

Leonid Brezhnev (1964-1982);

Yuri Andropov (1982-1984);

General Secretary of the CPSU (1984-1985);

Mikhail Gorbachev, the first president of the USSR (1985-1991);

Boris Yeltsin, leader of independent Russia (1991-1999);

The current head of state, Putin, has been the President of Russia since 2000 (with a break of 4 years, when the state was headed by Dmitry Medvedev)

Who are they - the rulers of Russia?

All the rulers of Russia, from Rurik to Putin, who have been in power for the entire more than a thousand-year history of the state, are patriots who wanted the flourishing of all the lands of a huge country. Most of the rulers were not random people in this difficult field and each made their own contribution to the development and formation of Russia. Of course, all the rulers of Russia wanted good and prosperity for their subjects: the main forces were always directed at strengthening the borders, expanding trade, and strengthening the defenses.

Rurik(? -879) - the founder of the Rurik dynasty, the first Russian prince. Chronicle sources claim that Rurik was called from the Varangian lands by Novgorod citizens to reign together with his brothers - Sineus and Truvor in 862. After the death of the brothers, he ruled over all Novgorod lands. Before his death, he handed over power to his relative, Oleg.

Oleg(? -912) - the second ruler of Russia. He reigned from 879 to 912, first in Novgorod, and then in Kiev. He is the founder of a single ancient Russian state, created by him in 882 with the capture of Kiev and the subordination of Smolensk, Lyubech and other cities. After the transfer of the capital to Kiev, he also subdued the Drevlyans, northerners, and Radimichs. One of the first Russian princes undertook a successful campaign against Constantinople and concluded the first trade agreement with Byzantium. He enjoyed great respect and authority among his subjects, who began to call him "prophetic," that is, wise.

Igor(? -945) - the third Russian prince (912-945), the son of Rurik. The main direction of his activity was the protection of the country from the raids of the Pechenegs and the preservation of the unity of the state. Undertook numerous campaigns to expand the possessions of the Kiev state, in particular against the coal. He continued his campaigns to Byzantium. In the course of one of them (941) he failed, in the course of the other (944) he received a ransom from Byzantium and concluded a peace treaty that consolidated the military-political victories of Russia. Undertook the first successful campaigns of the Russians in the North Caucasus (Khazaria) and Transcaucasia. In 945 he tried twice to collect tribute from the Drevlyans (the order of its collection was not legally fixed), for which he was killed by them.

Olga(c. 890-969) - the wife of Prince Igor, the first female ruler of the Russian state (regent under her son Svyatoslav). Installed in 945-946. the first legislative procedure for collecting tribute from the population of the Kiev state. In 955 (according to other sources, 957) she made a trip to Constantinople, where she secretly adopted Christianity under the name of Helena. In 959, the first of the Russian rulers sent an embassy to Western Europe, to the emperor Otto I. His answer was a direction in 961-962. with missionary purposes to Kiev, Archbishop Adalbert, who tried to bring Western Christianity to Russia. However, Svyatoslav and his entourage refused to Christianize and Olga was forced to transfer power to her son. V last years life from political activities was actually suspended. Nevertheless, she retained a significant influence on her grandson - the future Prince Vladimir the Saint, whom she was able to convince of the need to adopt Christianity.

Svyatoslav(? -972) - the son of Prince Igor and Princess Olga. Ruler of the Old Russian state in 962-972. He was distinguished by a warlike character. He was the initiator and leader of many aggressive campaigns: on the Oka Vyatichi (964-966), the Khazars (964-965), the North Caucasus (965), Danube Bulgaria (968, 969-971), Byzantium (971). He also fought against the Pechenegs (968-969, 972). Under him, Russia turned into the largest power in the Black Sea. Neither the Byzantine rulers, nor the Pechenegs, who agreed on joint actions against Svyatoslav, could reconcile to this. During his return from Bulgaria in 972, his army, drained of blood in the war with Byzantium, was attacked by the Pechenegs on the Dnieper. Svyatoslav was killed.

Vladimir I Saint(? -1015) - the youngest son of Svyatoslav, who defeated his brothers Yaropolk and Oleg in an internecine struggle after the death of his father. Prince of Novgorod (from 969) and Kiev (from 980). He conquered the Vyatichi, Radimichi and Yatvingians. He continued his father's struggle with the Pechenegs. Volga Bulgaria, Poland, Byzantium. During his reign, defensive lines were built along the Desna, Sturgeon, Trubezh, Sula and others rivers. Kiev was re-fortified and for the first time built up with stone structures. In 988-990. introduced Eastern Christianity as a state religion. Under Vladimir I, the Old Russian state entered the period of its heyday and power. The international authority of the new Christian state has grown. Vladimir was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church and is referred to as a Saint. In Russian folklore, he is named as Vladimir Red Sun. He was married to the Byzantine princess Anne.

Svyatoslav II Yaroslavich(1027-1076) - son of Yaroslav the Wise, Prince of Chernigov (from 1054), Grand Duke of Kiev (from 1073). Together with his brother Vsevolod, he defended the southern borders of the country from the Polovtsians. In the year of his death, he adopted a new code of laws - "Izbornik".

Vsevolod I Yaroslavich(1030-1093) - Prince of Pereyaslavl (from 1054), Chernigov (from 1077), Grand Duke of Kiev (from 1078). Together with the brothers Izyaslav and Svyatoslav, he fought against the Polovtsians, took part in the compilation of the Pravda of the Yaroslavichs.

Svyatopolk II Izyaslavich(1050-1113) - grandson of Yaroslav the Wise. Prince of Polotsk (1069-1071), Novgorod (1078-1088), Turov (1088-1093), Grand Duke of Kiev (1093-1113). He was distinguished by hypocrisy and cruelty both in relation to his subjects and to those close to him.

Vladimir II Vsevolodovich Monomakh(1053-1125) - Prince of Smolensk (from 1067), Chernigov (from 1078), Pereyaslavsky (from 1093), Grand Duke of Kiev (1113-1125). ... Son of Vsevolod I and daughter of the Byzantine emperor Constantine Monomakh. He was called to reign in Kiev during the popular uprising of 1113, which followed the death of Svyatopolk P. He took measures to limit the arbitrariness of the usurers and the administrative apparatus. He managed to achieve the relative unity of Russia and the end of strife. He supplemented the codes of laws that existed before him with new articles. He left the "Instructions" for his children, in which he called for strengthening the unity of the Russian state, living in peace and harmony, avoiding blood feud

Mstislav I Vladimirovich(1076-1132) - son of Vladimir Monomakh. Grand Duke of Kiev (1125-1132). From 1088 he ruled in Novgorod, Rostov, Smolensk and others. He took part in the work of the Lyubech, Vitichevsky and Dolobsky congresses of the Russian princes. He took part in campaigns against the Polovtsians. He headed the defense of Russia from its western neighbors.

Vsevolod P Olgovich(? -1146) - Prince of Chernigov (1127-1139). Grand Duke of Kiev (1139-1146).

Izyaslav II Mstislavich(c. 1097-1154) - Prince of Vladimir-Volyn (from 1134), Pereyaslavsky (from 1143), Grand Duke of Kiev (from 1146). Grandson of Vladimir Monomakh. Member of feudal strife. Supporter of Russian independence Orthodox Church from the Byzantine Patriarchate.

Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky (90s of the XI century - 1157) - Prince of Suzdal and Grand Duke of Kiev. Son of Vladimir Monomakh. In 1125 he moved the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal principality from Rostov to Suzdal. Since the beginning of the 30s. fought for southern Pereyaslavl and Kiev. Considered the founder of Moscow (1147). In 1155. seized Kiev for the second time. Poisoned by the Kiev boyars.

Andrey Yurievich Bogolyubsky (c. 1111-1174) is the son of Yuri Dolgoruky. Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal (from 1157). Moved the capital of the principality to Vladimir. In 1169 he conquered Kiev. Killed by boyars in his residence in the village of Bogolyubovo.

Vsevolod III Yurievich the Big Nest(1154-1212) - the son of Yuri Dolgoruky. Grand Duke of Vladimir (from 1176). Severely suppressed the boyar opposition, which took part in the conspiracy against Andrei Bogolyubsky. Subdued Kiev, Chernigov, Ryazan, Novgorod. During his reign, Vladimir-Suzdal Russia reached its heyday. Received the nickname for a large number of children (12 people).

Roman Mstislavich(? -1205) - Prince of Novgorod (1168-1169), Vladimir-Volyn (from 1170), Galician (from 1199). Son of Mstislav Izyaslavich. Strengthened the princely power in Galich and Volhynia, He was considered the most powerful ruler of Russia. Killed in the war with Poland.

Yuri Vsevolodovich(1188-1238) - Grand Duke of Vladimir (1212-1216 and 1218-1238). During the internecine struggle for the Vladimir throne, he was defeated in the Lipitsk battle in 1216. and ceded the great reign to his brother Constantine. In 1221 he founded the city of Nizhny Novgorod... He died during the battle with the Mongol-Tatars on the river. City in 1238

Daniil Romanovich(1201-1264) - Prince of Galician (1211-1212 and from 1238) and Volyn (from 1221), the son of Roman Mstislavich. He united the Galician and Volyn lands. Encouraged the construction of cities (Holm, Lvov, etc.), crafts and trade. In 1254 he received the title of king from the Pope.

Yaroslav III Vsevolodovich(1191-1246) - son of Vsevolod the Big Nest. He reigned in Pereyaslavl, Galich, Ryazan, Novgorod. In 1236-1238. reigned in Kiev. Since 1238 - Grand Duke of Vladimir. Traveled to The Golden Horde and to Mongolia.