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Article: Elizabeth (Russia) (1709–1762; Ruled 1741–1762)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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ELIZABETH (RUSSIA) (1709
–
1762; ruled 1741
–
1762)
ELIZABETH (RUSSIA)
(1709
–
1762; ruled 1741
–
1762), empress of Russia. Elizabeth Petrovna, the daughter of Peter the Great and his second wife, Catherine, reigned as empress for over twenty years. She came to power on the back of a coup by guards' regiments after a decade of unpopular rule, comprising first, the period of Anna Ivanovna and then the year and a half reign of the infant Ivan VI. She benefited greatly from the direct association with her father and was able to proclaim herself to be ruling in his image and extending his legacy. Less celebrated, but nevertheless noteworthy, was the link to her ...