In October of 1710 “capitulation” had signed by Boris Sheremetev on one side and the Baltic nobility and burghers on the other confirming existing laws and privileges of the provinces swearing oath of loyalty to Peter; earlier agreements with August flew out of the window (you know, “window to Europe”).
During the celebrations (which traditionally included heavy drinking of low quality vodka) Peter got an aggravated fit of the urinary tract (one of his numerous health problems). The doctors performed a surgery but it ended with a gangrene and in few days Peter died without regaining a consciousness.
Framework:
Family:
Alexei - 20 years old, undisputed successor, not married yet but already betrothed to emperor’s niece. Going to marry her within a year.
Catherine - presumably secretly married to Peter in 1707 (but this may not count, in OTL he later married her officially); there are 2 daughters, Anna and Elizabeth
Political situation:
Charles is in the Ottoman Empire but the GNW is not over even if because he does not want to make peace involving any territorial losses.
In the PLC August is restored but, as I said, Livonia is out of his reach.
At home Alexei has support of pretty much everybody in “who is who” list except for Menshikov who was intriguing against him and humiliating him for years, especially after he managed to supply Peter with Martha Skavronskaya (Catherine). Menshikov is a powerful figure but with Peter’s death his power is gone and military establishment, led by Fieldmarshal Sheremetev and Anikita Repnin (Governor General of Riga) remains loyal to the legitimate (and only) heir.
Menshikov is accused of embezzlement and a number of other crimes, his property is confiscated and he sent to die in Siberia.
Alexei inherits:
An army with a somewhat overblown reputation after Poltava and conquest of Baltica
A navy which does not yet have any reputation
Administrative system in a state of the never-ending transition. Boyar Duma still formally exists but it was not called for years (last mentioning is in 1708) and everything is decided in Personal Chancellory and “Consillium” which is something like Council of Ministers (in OTL Governing Senate was created only in 1711). To address a popular misconception, there are no long-bearded conservative boyars in a traditional dress hiding in the dark corners and waiting for return of the good all times: all of those who matter are clean shaved, wearing western costumes and wigs and actively engaged in military and civic administration.
Seriously empty treasury and economy and society under a constant barrage of Peter’s regulations.
Most of what we know about Alexei is a byproduct of Peter’s PR campaign launched to justify his murder but it seems that he was well-educated (had German tutors, knew French and German, studied “politics”, history, geometry and fortification), traveled abroad. By 1710 was actively involved in recruiting of the new troops and fortification of Moscow (not to his father’s satisfaction mostly because he went to visit his mother).
Presumably, he was not too fond of Peter’s naval program but, to be fair, by 1710, with a lot of money and effort being spent, newly built Baltic fleet had very little to show.
As a capital he seemingly preferred Moscow but in OTL St-Petersburg did not became an official capital until 1713 and in 1728 - 32 capital was moved back to Moscow without visible negative impact on the Russian state.
Most probably, Alexei is not going to conduct aggressive ‘imperial’ policy of his father: attempt to convert Baltic Sea into the Russian lake, war with the Ottomans, invasion of Persia. OTOH, he would have to continue the GNW - simply giving away the conquests is not a realistic option.
Now, how things can proceed from this point on?
During the celebrations (which traditionally included heavy drinking of low quality vodka) Peter got an aggravated fit of the urinary tract (one of his numerous health problems). The doctors performed a surgery but it ended with a gangrene and in few days Peter died without regaining a consciousness.
Framework:
Family:
Alexei - 20 years old, undisputed successor, not married yet but already betrothed to emperor’s niece. Going to marry her within a year.
Catherine - presumably secretly married to Peter in 1707 (but this may not count, in OTL he later married her officially); there are 2 daughters, Anna and Elizabeth
Political situation:
Charles is in the Ottoman Empire but the GNW is not over even if because he does not want to make peace involving any territorial losses.
In the PLC August is restored but, as I said, Livonia is out of his reach.
At home Alexei has support of pretty much everybody in “who is who” list except for Menshikov who was intriguing against him and humiliating him for years, especially after he managed to supply Peter with Martha Skavronskaya (Catherine). Menshikov is a powerful figure but with Peter’s death his power is gone and military establishment, led by Fieldmarshal Sheremetev and Anikita Repnin (Governor General of Riga) remains loyal to the legitimate (and only) heir.
Menshikov is accused of embezzlement and a number of other crimes, his property is confiscated and he sent to die in Siberia.
Alexei inherits:
An army with a somewhat overblown reputation after Poltava and conquest of Baltica
A navy which does not yet have any reputation
Administrative system in a state of the never-ending transition. Boyar Duma still formally exists but it was not called for years (last mentioning is in 1708) and everything is decided in Personal Chancellory and “Consillium” which is something like Council of Ministers (in OTL Governing Senate was created only in 1711). To address a popular misconception, there are no long-bearded conservative boyars in a traditional dress hiding in the dark corners and waiting for return of the good all times: all of those who matter are clean shaved, wearing western costumes and wigs and actively engaged in military and civic administration.
Seriously empty treasury and economy and society under a constant barrage of Peter’s regulations.
Most of what we know about Alexei is a byproduct of Peter’s PR campaign launched to justify his murder but it seems that he was well-educated (had German tutors, knew French and German, studied “politics”, history, geometry and fortification), traveled abroad. By 1710 was actively involved in recruiting of the new troops and fortification of Moscow (not to his father’s satisfaction mostly because he went to visit his mother).
Presumably, he was not too fond of Peter’s naval program but, to be fair, by 1710, with a lot of money and effort being spent, newly built Baltic fleet had very little to show.
As a capital he seemingly preferred Moscow but in OTL St-Petersburg did not became an official capital until 1713 and in 1728 - 32 capital was moved back to Moscow without visible negative impact on the Russian state.
Most probably, Alexei is not going to conduct aggressive ‘imperial’ policy of his father: attempt to convert Baltic Sea into the Russian lake, war with the Ottomans, invasion of Persia. OTOH, he would have to continue the GNW - simply giving away the conquests is not a realistic option.
Now, how things can proceed from this point on?