Bestuzhev-Ryumin, Aleksey Petrovich, Count

Bestuzhev-Ryumin, Aleksey Petrovich, Count

(əlyĭksyā` pētrô`vĭch byĭsto͞o`zhĕv-rēo͞o`myĭn), 1693–1766, Russian statesman. With the accession (1741) of Czarina ElizabethElizabeth,
1709–62, czarina of Russia (1741–62), daughter of Peter I and Catherine I. She gained the throne by overthrowing the young czar, Ivan VI, and the regency of his mother, Anna Leopoldovna.
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, he was appointed vice chancellor and (1744) grand chancellor. Directing Russian foreign policy, he attempted to unite Russia, Austria, Great Britain, and Saxony against France and Prussia, which he viewed as Russia's natural enemies. Alliances were sealed with Great Britain (1742, 1747) and Austria (1746). The Anglo-Prussian alliance of Jan., 1756, and the outbreak of the Seven Years WarSeven Years War,
1756–63, worldwide war fought in Europe, North America, and India between France, Austria, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and (after 1762) Spain on the one side and Prussia, Great Britain, and Hanover on the other.
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 that summer virtually nullified Bestuzhev-Ryumin's efforts. Over his strenuous objections, Russia joined (1757) a counteralliance with France and Austria. Removed (1758) from office and banished to his estate, he was recalled (1762) by Catherine IICatherine II
or Catherine the Great,
1729–96, czarina of Russia (1762–96). Rise to Power

A German princess, the daughter of Christian Augustus, prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, she emerged from the obscurity of her relatively modest background in 1744
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, who made him a field marshal.