Table of contents:
- The richest man in Russia at the beginning of the 8th century
- Why Menshikov never became related to the royal family
- How Peter II entertained himself with Menshikov's money
- Biron and Anna Ioannovna's plan to withdraw the prince's foreign deposits
Video: Who got the fantastic wealth of Prince Menshikov after his death
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Alexander Menshikov himself was the closest associate of Peter I. "The semi-sovereign ruler", as Alexander Pushkin called him, managed to achieve unprecedented heights - from a street vendor of pies, soaring to Generalissimo and "Most Serene Prince". During the time that Menshikov spent at the imperial court, he accumulated untold wealth. In addition to estates, jewelry and other property, he owned numerous deposits in the banks of Amsterdam, London, Venice and Genoa.
The richest man in Russia at the beginning of the 8th century
A statesman, a brave commander and the right hand of Peter I, His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Menshikov is known as a master of political intrigue and a genius embezzler. The emperor himself perfectly knew the sins of his assistant, more than once punished him for theft with a truncheon, fines and deprivation of state posts, but he always humbled his anger and forgave him for loyalty. After the death of his closest adviser Lefort, the autocrat said: “I have one hand left, thieving, but faithful,” meaning Alexander Danilovich.
At the peak of his career, the "Most Serene Prince" was considered the richest man in Russia, owning entire cities and large estates with hundreds of thousands of serfs. He successfully combined high government positions with entrepreneurship - he participated in the international trade in bread, supplied bricks and boards for construction, kept crystal factories, salt and fish industries throughout the country.
The golden time for Menshikov came after the death of Peter I. He elevated Catherine I to the throne, and for two years, while she was feasting and having fun, the "temporary worker" actually ruled the country, increasing his wealth.
Why Menshikov never became related to the royal family
It seemed that nothing threatened the well-being of the "Most Serene Prince". After the death of Catherine I, Menshikov married his daughter Maria to the 11-year-old Emperor Peter II, despite the fact that she was older than him. And he planned to marry his son to Princess Natalia.
In order to gain more influence over the emperor, Alexander Danilovich decided to take up his education more closely and moved him to his house on Vasilievsky Island.
The problem was that the boy-emperor could not stand his bride and hated Menshikov himself, believing that it was he who was guilty of the tragic fate of his father, Alexei Petrovich.
In the summer of 1727, the “half-sovereign ruler” fell ill and for some time weakened his control over court affairs. One of the most experienced people in matters of intrigue of the royal court, he did not foresee the intrigues that were built against him. During Menshikov's absence, the attention of the young eccentric ruler was captured by the Dolgorukov princes, who wanted to turn the country back to the pre-Petrine order. Upon his return, Menshikov discovered that his daughter was no longer the emperor's bride, but Peter II himself was openly rude to the failed father-in-law.
The young emperor left the house of his mentor on Vasilievsky Island and ordered the guards to listen only to his instructions. Menshikov was accused of high treason and embezzlement and, together with his family, was exiled to the Tobolsk province.
How Peter II entertained himself with Menshikov's money
All the estates with serfs and six large cities, fur coats, precious jewelry worth 1.5 million rubles, almost 2 tons of gold and silver utensils were confiscated from the deposed "Most Serene Prince". In addition, it turned out that Menshikov had deposits totaling over 9 million rubles in the accounts of European banks. Taken together, all of Menshikov's wealth was practically equal to the annual budget of the state, but they did not help him - the great "temporary worker" died in 1729 almost in poverty.
The confiscated treasures were immediately used, though not in any way connected with the needs of the country and the people. Alexey Grigorievich Dolgorukov decided to marry the young tsar to his daughter Catherine. The influential family, like Menshikov, hoped to receive full power. They were in a hurry with the wedding, quickly sewed a dress for the princess, decorated the Lefortovo Palace. Peter II, so as not to have time to come to his senses and change his mind, endlessly entertained with an incessant carnival. All the money confiscated from the "Most Serene Prince" Alexei Danilovich went to hunting, balls and drinking. 13 days before the wedding, Peter fell ill with smallpox, and the Dolgorukovs, in despair, came up with different moves to maintain power, they even wanted to forge the tsar's signature on official paper so that the throne would go to Catherine. In January 1730, the young man died, and the Dolgoruky scam never went through the Supreme Privy Council. The crown went to the niece of Peter I - Anna Ioannovna, who was planned to be made a "decorative" queen.
Biron and Anna Ioannovna's plan to withdraw the prince's foreign deposits
At the suggestion of her favorite Biron, the new empress tried to seize the western "offshores" of the late Menshikov. European bankers under no pretext did not give money to the Russian government, which petitioned for the release of the property of a state criminal under the right of confiscation. They agreed to transfer deposits only to the legitimate heirs of Menshikov, on the condition that they "are free and can dispose of their property." To take possession of the inheritance, Biron came up with a plan - to marry his brother Gustav to the exiled daughter of the "Most High Prince" Alexandra. In 1731, the heirs of Alexander Danilovich were returned from exile and even given them modest property that they did not have time to spend - beds, clothes and copper dishes.
The wedding was solemnly played in St. Petersburg in the presence of Anna Ioannovna and foreign diplomats. Menshikov's son was reinstated in the rank of officer, and in return he signed all the documents necessary for the return of family money from banks in Europe.
The family of the late prince got 500 thousand rubles, which at that time was a fabulous sum. One million went to Biron, the remaining seven and a half million went to the empress's treasury. Gustav received from the deal the rank of staff captain, a regular salary, a house and a small sum.
In 1740, Anna Leopoldovna, the mother of the new emperor, removed Biron from power, and sent his brother Gustav into exile. All property was confiscated, including the inheritance of Menshikova's daughter, who died in the wild. But Anna Leopoldovna was not destined to take advantage of the remains of the treasures of the "Most High Prince" - a year later she was overthrown by Elizaveta Petrovna. Thus, the untold riches of the "temporary worker" returned to the daughter of the one, thanks to whom they were earned.
And also Peter the Great bred dwarfs and giants.
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