The Reputation of Peter III

Abstract

The reputation of Peter III derives almost entirely from the writings of those who overthrew him on 28 June 1762 (O.S.), after a reign of barely six months. In her first manifesto, the new ruler presented herself as claimant to a throne threatened by foreign rule. It was clear to all true sons of the fatherland, wrote Catherine II, Peter's wife and successor, danger there was to the whole state, and above all, what threat to Our Greek Orthodox dogma. She went on, referring to Peter's withdrawal of troops from the Seven Years' War, Russian glory, brought to its height by the victory of arms and by much bloodshed, has now fallen in complete enslavement to the enemy by the conclusion of peace. ' This rationale was drawn from social contract theory, sanctioning rebellion provided the ruler had broken his part of the bargain. The breach was not easily demonstrated. After the coup, Catherine's maintenance of the discredited pro-Prussian foreign policy necessitated a new manifesto (6 July). In this more elaborate defense, Catherine shifted ground to the war Peter was planning against Denmark as well as his contempt for native traditions. The final accusation came thirty years later in her memoirs, where she depicted him as utterly lacking in qualities necessary to rule.2 Was this the reason Peter was overthrown? General discontent, contributing to the spread of disaffection, cannot be ruled out. After six years of war, burdened with huge deficits, the government had repeatedly devalued the currency and delayed its payroll. Beginning in January, Peter initiated reforms to improve revenues, but, however important in the long term, these reforms added temporarily to the disorder. For example, secularization of ecclesiastical estates was accompanied by raids on ecclesiastical property, which disturbed the clergy and the peasantry; devaluation of coinage and an announced issue of assignats further undermined imperial authority.