The material in this article is based solely on facts, but assessment of these facts is contrary to any history textbook. Each the nation has the right to its idol, and to challenge this right is occupation ungrateful. However, to understand your own story, periodically have to overthrow even long recognized idols.
A photo from open sources
In this regard, the hypothesis of Dmitry Zenin and Konstantin Smirnov about some milestones of the founder’s life “Russian statehood” Peter I. Namely: we will talk about the famous Poltava battle, known to everyone since school benches.
Even fans of Emperor Peter the Great cannot deny that there is a relationship between their idol and the Swedish king Charles XII strange, difficult to explain contradictions. So, already in 1700, the first to open hostilities against the “Scandinavian tramp”, Peter showing some mysterious timidity. Having near Narva fourfold superiority in power, Peter, barely hearing of Karl’s approach, throws his troops and hurries off, allegedly in order to rush the approach of the new regiments.
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“Karl XII”. Painter David Kraft
Nine years later, near Poltava, again having an overwhelming military superiority over Karl, Peter spent twenty days in inaction and, not deciding on a general battle, begins to maneuver by providing a weaker opponent the first to move to the Russian regiments. And again: having gained a convincing victory, the Russian Tsar puts forward very moderate proposals for conclusion of a peace treaty.
The solution to this mysterious contradiction lies in the previous this event is the history of Swedish-Russian relations …
A SWEDISH IS NOT SO SCARY AS HAM
Most prophet historians believe that the Northern War, erupted between Russia and Sweden in the years 1700-1721, was caused by the need to return to Russia the ancient Russian lands on Baltic coast captured once by the Swedes. In their opinion, Peter I attached priority to these lands because they gave Russia access to the Baltic Sea, necessary for expansion trade and economic ties with Western Europe. This is an explanation still considered obvious, becomes unconvincing as just wondering: when, as a result of which wars Sweden captured these Russian lands?
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“The assault on the fortress of Noteburg on October 11, 1702.” Painter A. E. Kotzebue (1846)
Having studied this issue, you immediately come across amazing discoveries. It turns out that since the beginning of the XVII century Russian-Swedish relations were more than warm. Swedes often have supported Russians since Vasily in 1609 Shuisky and Charles IX entered into an agreement on peace, love and joint actions. Under this agreement, the Russian Tsar in gratitude for Swedish aid against Poles and Bolotnikov’s troops forever renounced his rights to Livonia, leaving only Ivan the city.
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Vasily Shuisky
This contract has an interesting clause based on the succession law that existed at that time. In him stipulated that if any of the contracting sovereigns died without an heir, then “take his power to the other by the hand, so that the common leader of the Polish-Lithuanian triumph is not It was”.
Sweden provided huge military and political support the militia of Minin and Pozharsky, who expelled the Polish invaders from the Moscow state. And soon after the order of the Swedish king Gustav Adolf in Moscow was called popular council for the election of the king. At this cathedral, held February 21, 1613, Mikhail Fedorovich was elected Russian Tsar Romanov – the grandfather of Peter I.
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King of Sweden Gustav II Adolf (1594-1632)
Having ascended the throne, Mikhail Romanov confirmed the contract, concluded by Vasily Shuisky and Charles IX, and therefore recognized legal provision that if he does not appoint anyone as his heir, then the kingdom of Moscow will go hand in hand Gustav Adolf. However, the Swedish king died much earlier than Michael Romanova – died under Lutzen in 1632 at the age of 38 years. His Queen Christina took the seat on the throne. Michael hastened to bring her oath, which was faithful to his death in 1645.
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Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov
Of the three sons of Tsar Michael, only Alex survived – the second Tsar in the Romanov dynasty, who ruled for 31 years. The “Wisest” Patriarch Nikon – initiator of the Church schism – knocked out the “silent” Alexei Mikhailovich to break the traditionally friendly Russian-Swedish ties. May 17, 1656 Alexei declared war on Sweden, despising everything earlier concluded contracts.
However, the fighting was sluggish, stopping already in 1657 a year, and four years later, “eternal peace” was concluded in Cardissa. This agreement with Sweden reaffirmed all previous Russian-Swedish agreement, the Tsar of Moscow declared himself “younger” brother ”of the King of Sweden and agreed that in case of his death without heirs, the Russian throne should take Swedish king.
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Alexey Mikhailovich Romanov (The Quietest) (1629 – 1676)
And here we come to the most interesting. The “quietest” had three sons: Fedor, Ivan and Peter. Dying, he bequeathed the throne to the elder Fedor, the fate of the other two sons did not order. Fedor, becoming Tsar at age 14, ruled Russia for six years, was married twice, but not left male descendants. He died in April 1682, appointing the heirs of his brother Ivan and sister Sophia. Not stipulating the fate of Peter, he thereby deprived him of the right to Russian throne.
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Fedor Alekseevich Romanov (Russian Tsar in 1661 – 1682)
But after the death of Tsar Fedor, his will was neglected. Body the tsar had not yet had time to cool down, but in the Kremlin under the leadership Patriarch Joachim gathered all the highest dignitaries of the state. it the meeting recognized Ivan Alekseevich as “a mournful head” and decided to marry the kingdom of ten-year-old Peter. This choice did not suit legal heirs to the throne of Ivan and Sophia. And they can be understood: Peter, according to the will of Fedor, did not have any rights to the throne.
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Ivan Alekseevich Romanov (Russian Tsar in 1682 – 1696)
On May 15, 1682, in Moscow, they hit Nabat, and the archers went on assault on the Kremlin. The inspirer of the rebellion was Princess Sophia, understood: in the case of the coronation of Peter, power will forever flow away from her hands. As a result of bloody events, she achieved the fact that on June 25 1682, two juvenile monarchs were immediately crowned on the throne, and she became the supreme ruler until they came of age herself.
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Tsarevna Sofya Alekseevna
These events caused a stir in Stockholm: the princess had a clear pro-Polish orientation, and the Poles were ancient enemies of Sweden. For the Swedish king, the more coveted figure on the Russian throne was Peter, therefore, Karl XI wrote to Sophia that if Moscow repeats itself the story of the murder of the prince, as was the case with the son of Ivan the Terrible Dmitry, he will immediately invade Russia and enter his legal rights granted to him by contract. Swedish ultimatum the king had his effect. The supreme ruler assured Charles XI, that no one and nothing threatens Peter, and that for the sake of Poland she will not break the peace with Sweden.
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Peter the Great as a child
Soon, Sophia’s ambitious hopes were finally plunged into dust. September 11, 1689 during the next turmoil of her supporters were executed, and she herself was tonsured a nun. Joint began reign of Tsars Ivan and Peter Alekseevich. In fact, on the throne sat two autocrats, of whom Ivan was the sovereign sovereign, and Peter is an impostor. But since the Swedish king is such a situation quite satisfied, he recognized her and first congratulated the impostor on victory over a half sister. In response, Peter called Charles XI “native father” and swore allegiance to him. Second time the swedish king Peter had to swear in 7 years.
In 1696, the rightful king Ivan V passed away at the age of 28, not leaving a male heir and not writing a will. Power in state passed into the hands of Peter, whose position in Moscow the throne was very shaky: many subjects did not recognize it legitimate sovereign, the country was excited by uprisings and riots. Young the holder of the Moscow throne as air was needed support of the Swedish “native father.” And the “father” did not leave him: Swedish experts literally flooded Moscow state.
Oleg Barashikov
War Time Moscow Russia Artists
