Anna Leopoldovna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grand Duchess Anna Leopoldovna |
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| Regent of Russia | |||||
| Regency | 20 November 1740 – 6 December 1741 | ||||
| Monarch | Ivan VI | ||||
| Predecessor | Ernst Johann von Biron | ||||
| Born | 18 December 1718 Rostock, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Holy Roman Empire |
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| Died | 19 March 1746 (aged 27) Kholmogory, Archangelgorod Governorate, Russian Empire |
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| Burial | Annunciation Church, Alexander Nevsky Monastery | ||||
| Spouse | Duke Anthony Ulrich of Brunswick | ||||
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| House | Mecklenburg-Schwerin | ||||
| Father | Charles Leopold, Duke of Mecklenburg | ||||
| Mother | Catherine Ivanovna of Russia | ||||
| Religion | Russian Orthodox prev. Lutheran | ||||
Anna Leopoldovna (born Elisabeth Katharina Christine von Mecklenburg-Schwerin; 18 December 1718 – 19 March 1746) was a regent of Russia. She ruled for just over a year, from 1740 to 1741. She was regent for her baby son, Emperor Ivan VI. She was also known as Anna Carlovna.
Contents
Biography
Early Life in Russia
Anna Leopoldovna was born Elisabeth Katharina Christine. Her father was Karl Leopold, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Her mother was Catherine, the eldest daughter of Tsar Ivan V of Russia. Ivan V was the older brother of Peter the Great. He shared the throne with Peter the Great. However, Peter the Great held all the real power.
Elisabeth's parents had a difficult marriage. When Elisabeth was three years old, her mother returned to Russia. She took Elisabeth with her. So, Elisabeth grew up in Russia and had little contact with her father.
In 1730, Tsar Peter II died without children. He was the last male in the Romanov royal family. People debated who should rule next. Elisabeth's mother, Catherine, was considered. But the throne was offered to Catherine's younger sister, Anna Ivanovna. She became Empress Anna of Russia.
Empress Anna had no children. This made Elisabeth, Catherine's only child, very important. She was a possible future ruler.
Becoming a Russian Princess
In 1733, Elisabeth changed her religion. She became a member of the Russian Orthodox Church. She was given the new name Anna Leopoldovna. This name honored her aunt, Empress Anna, and her father, Karl Leopold. Becoming Orthodox made her a suitable choice to inherit the throne. However, her aunt never officially named her as the next ruler.
In 1739, Anna Leopoldovna married Duke Anthony Ulrich of Brunswick. He had lived in Russia since 1733. This allowed him and Anna to get to know each other. Empress Anna likely wanted them to marry. She hoped Anna Leopoldovna would inherit the throne.
Becoming Regent
On 5 October 1740, Empress Anna adopted Anna Leopoldovna's newborn son, Ivan. She declared him the heir to the Russian throne. A few weeks later, on 28 October, the Empress died. She named her favorite, Ernest Biron, as regent. A regent is someone who rules for a child who is too young to rule alone.
However, many Russians disliked Biron. He was not popular. Biron even threatened to send Anna and her husband away. So, Anna worked with Field Marshal Burkhard Christoph von Münnich. They planned to remove Biron from power.
Their plan worked. Anna became the regent on 8 November. She took the title of Grand Duchess. Field Marshal Münnich arrested Biron himself.
Ruling Russia
Anna was young and new to governing. She did not fully understand the Russian people or their government. She soon had disagreements with her main supporters.
Anna did make some important changes. She ordered a check on the clothing industry. This happened after new military uniforms were found to be of poor quality. The investigation showed bad working conditions. So, Anna made new rules. She set a minimum wage and maximum working hours for garment factories. She also ordered medical facilities at every factory.
Her government also won an important battle. Russian forces were victorious at the Battle of Villmanstrand in Finland. This happened after Sweden declared war on Russia.
However, many in the Russian elite thought Anna was too young to be regent. They believed she was not focused enough on ruling Russia. They felt she spent too much time reading novels. She also gave many government jobs to German nobles. This made many Russian nobles unhappy.
Later Life and Imprisonment
In December 1741, Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great, led a revolt. She was very popular with the guards. The coup was successful. It was supported by the French and Swedish ambassadors. They disliked Anna's pro-British and pro-Austrian policies. The French ambassador helped plan the coup. He paid many officers in the Imperial Guard to support Elizabeth.
Anna and her family were first put in prison near Riga. Then, they were sent to Kholmogory. Anna died there on 19 March 1746. She died nine days after giving birth to her son Alexei. She had been in prison for over four years.
Her family remained in prison for many more years. Her son, Ivan VI, was killed in prison in 1764. Her husband, Anthony Ulrich, died in prison in 1774.
Her other four children were finally released in 1780. They were sent to live with their aunt in Denmark. They lived comfortably but were under house arrest. They never married or had children. They were not used to social life. They had little contact with people outside their small group.
Family
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Anna Leopoldovna had five children:
- Ivan VI (1740–1764) (Emperor from 1740–1741)
- Catherine Antonovna of Brunswick (1741–1807) (released to house arrest in Denmark in 1780)
- Elizabeth Antonovna of Brunswick (1743–1782) (released to house arrest in Denmark in 1780)
- Peter Antonovich of Brunswick (1745–1798) (released to house arrest in Denmark in 1780)
- Alexei Antonovich of Brunswick (1746–1787) (released to house arrest in Denmark in 1780)
See also
In Spanish: Ana Leopóldovna de Mecklemburgo-Schwerin para niños
