v11_1289 - RUSSIA - ELISABETH Poloucka 1759

RUSSIA - ELIZABETH

(05/12/1741-05/01/1762)

Elisabeth (28/12/1709-05/01/1762) is the daughter of Peter the Great and Catherine I. She ascended the throne following a military plot which overthrew the young Ivan III (1740-1741) who was assassinated at the beginning of the reign of Catherine II. She received the title of "Clemente" for sparing the supporters of the deposed tsar. The Treaty of Abo in 1743 ended the Swedish war and gave Finland to Russia for the first time. During the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), Russia allied with Austria against Prussia. The Russians defeated the Prussians at Künersdorf in 1759. Elizabeth's death saved Frederick II of Prussia from defeat. Elisabeth continued her father's reforming work and was a friend of the arts by founding the University of Moscow and the Academy of Fine Arts. As early as 1742, she had chosen her nephew, Pierre, to succeed her.