(1796 – 1801)
Pavel Petrovich, son of Peter III and Catherine II, reigned for 5 years. Before the death of Catherine the Great, he lived in Gatchina, alien to any interference in the affairs of government.
Pavel came to the throne, having 42 years of age, possessing a nervous impressionable character, was unusually fast and changeable in his judgments, did not tolerate contradictions, above all appreciated his diligence and accuracy.
Pavel I was married to Wirthberg Princess Maria Feodorovna.
From his orders, the most important is the abolition of the law of Peter I, according to which, depending on the will of the sovereign, it was up to him to appoint a successor, and to establish the order of succession to the throne from the sovereign to his eldest son (1797).
The decree was accompanied by the “Institution of the Imperial Family”, where the order of keeping the persons of the reigning family was determined, allocating so-called specific estates for this purpose.
Pavel I initiated the restriction of the landlord authority. The manifesto on the peasants is corvee, i.e. work on landowners, was limited to three days a week.
Private printing houses were closed and strict censorship for books was established.
In 1799, a German university was opened in Dorpat and visits by young people to study abroad were forbidden.
In St. Petersburg, the Ekaterininsky and Mariinsky Institutes are founded, the Office of the Institutions of the Empress Maria is open.
Pavel I participated in a coalition against France.
The reign of Pavel, distinguished by suspicion, and sometimes cruelty, aroused discontent among his associates.
On March 11, 1801, he fell victim to a conspiracy in the Castle of St. Archangel Michael (now the Engineering Castle).
Pavel I left four sons after him: Alexander, Constantine, Nicholas and Michael.