The era of Russian palace revolutions .28thematically.29 History of Russia (1721–96)
the future peter iii of russia, 1753, alexei antropov peter iii had short , unpopular reign. father charles frederick, duke of holstein-gottorp. in manifesto on freedom of nobility, peter iii granted civil liberties nobility , ended mandatory state service nobles. while manifesto popular, alienated clergy decision pass church lands state , created deep resentment forcing prussian military drills on russian army, , depriving russia of military victory establishing sudden alliance prussia. making use of discontent , fearing own position, peter iii s wife, catherine, deposed husband in coup, , lover s brother, aleksey orlov, subsequently murdered him, in june 1762 catherine became catherine ii, empress of russia.