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interval of pro-German rulers. This is not quite accurate since Elizabeth's suc-
cessor, her nephew Peter III, could be considered a Prussianophile. On the other
hand, Peter's wife, the German princess and future Catherine II, embraced Rus-
sia and its traditions and did not distinguish herself by pro-German leanings.
Nevertheless, the replacement of Germans by Russians in the imperial circles
under Elizabeth had some connection with the increasing interest of the Rus-
sian court in French society and culture. The move toward adopting the man-
nerisms of French culture among the nobility continued under Catherine, after
the brief reign of Peter III.
Under Elizabeth, favorites continued to rule Russia. This group was slightly
more distinguished in its political legacy than Anna's circle. The closest figure to
the monarch was Alexis Razumovsky, whom Elizabeth married in a secret and
morganatic wedding. Razumovsky was of simple Cossack origin, from the
Ukraine. Known as a wonderful singer, he was brought to the court to perform.
Elizabeth fell in love with him, and her attachment lasted until her death. How-
ever, Razumovsky had a negligible impact on state matters (unlike Biron). A
more influential set of court favorites were the Shuvalovs (Peter and Alexander,
and their cousin Ivan). Ivan left behind an almost unique reputation for integrity
and kindness, for refusing honors and rewards, and for the promotion of cul-
tural enlightenment in Russia. He founded the University of Moscow, Russia's
first permanent university, in 1755. Peter Shuvalov, on the other hand, inter-
vened in every kind of state business. He was very able but also shamelessly cor-
rupt. He is largely responsible for the disastrous financial policies that
characterized Elizabeth's reign. This was a time of extravagant expenditures, best
symbolized perhaps by the construction of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg.
The reign of Peter III was brief and unhappy. Another grandson of Peter the
Great, Peter had been raised in the German duchy of Holstein-Gottorp. He was
first brought up with the view of succeeding to the Swedish throne, since his
father was a son of the sister of King Charles XII of Sweden. But as early as 1742
Elizabeth had designated him as her successor. Although he lived in Russia from
the age of 14, he never adjusted to the country. By all accounts he was extremely
limited mentally, as well as crude and violent in his behavior.
His reign of only a few months was an active one and best known in the long
run for the law that abolished the compulsory state service of the gentry, insti-
tuted by Peter the Great. That law of 1762 was the final stage of a process that
began with Peter's reforms. Under Peter's policy, the gentry in its entirety was
affected and there was no limit to how long they should serve. In 1736, this ser-
vice was limited to 25 years (the nobility had asked for 20). Moreover, one son
in each noble family could be exempted from service to manage the family
estates. Following the publication of this law and for the next few decades,
many members of the gentry left state service to return to their landholdings.
Not surprisingly, many nobles found a way to have their 25-year period of ser-
vice counted from the time they were eight or 10 years old. Finally, in 1762,
compulsory service was abolished. From now on members of the gentry no
longer had to serve the state. They could even serve foreign governments, if
they so desired.
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