Paul I of Russia

Reign: 1796 – 1801
Life: 1754–1801

Paul remained overshadowed by his mother, Catherine the Great, for most of his life. He adopted the laws of succession to the Russian throne, rules that lasted until the end of the Romanov dynasty and of the Russian Empire. In 1799, he brought Russia into the Second Coalition against Revolutionary France alongside Britain and Austria; the Russian forces achieved several victories at first but withdrew after facing setbacks. Paul then realigned Russia with France and led the creation of the Second League of Armed Neutrality to oppose Britain after Napoleon rise to power. Toward the end of his reign, he added Kartli and Kakheti in Eastern Georgia to the Russian Empire. He was planning a joint invasion of British India with the French before being killed in a fight with his own officers who were trying to force his abdication.

During Paul I of Russia's reign, Selim III ruled Ottoman Empire, Frederick William III of Prussia ruled Prussia, and George III of Great Britain ruled Great Britain.

Want to learn more? Further reading

The Romanovs: 1613–1918 by Simon Sebag Montefiore

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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The Romanovs: 1613–1918

Simon Sebag Montefiore

Paul I's paranoid reforms and violent end, the pivot between Catherine and Alexander I.

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