Elizabeth I of Russia was Peter the Great’s favorite daughter, and is known for being quite like her father as far as political ability goes. One of their dissimilarities was Elizabeth’s idealism. Upon her accession to the throne, she swore never to sign a death sentence, a promise that was surprisingly kept throughout her reign, and contributed greatly to her popularity. She finished and fine-tuned many of her father’s reforms, and mended some of the abuses of Anna I’s reign, including banishing her predecessor's German advisors. Two of the most notable events of her reign were the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Year’s War. Her part in these was motivated not only by political reasons, but by an extreme personal dislike of Frederick the Great. Elizabeth was succeeded on her death by her nephew, Peter II.
| Born second daughter of Catherine I and Peter the Great of Russia. Born before her parents legal marriage; leter declared legitimate. | |
| Declared a Tsarevna (Russian princess). | |
| Declared Tsesarevna (heir to the Russian throne). | |
| Reign of Empress Anna, daughter of Ivan V; Elizabeth effectively banished from court. | |
| Seizes power in bloodless coup. Promises never to sign a death sentence. | |
| Crowned Empress of Russia. Exiles many of Anna's German advisors. | |
| Declares her nephew Peter of Holstein-Gottorp to be her heir. | |
| War of the Austrian Succession | |
| Seven Year's War | |
| December 25th, death of Elizabeth I of Russia. |
| Great Prussian military leader in the War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years War. | |
| Wife of Peter the Great who rose from a low station to help Peter govern Russia, and succeeded him on his death. | |
| Modernized Russia in spite of great resistance. Improved the army. Won coastal territory. | |
| German Princess who was proclaimed Empress after the murder of her husband Peter III. Favored modernization and progressive policies. |