Paul I of Russia

Paul I of Russia (Russian: Pavel Petrovich, ????? I ????????) (October 1, 1754 - March 23, 1801) was an Emperor (Tsar) of Russia (1796 - 1801).

Domestic Policy

Paul repealed Catherine's law which allowed the corporal punishment of the free classes of the population of Russia. Under Catherine's rule, no one could feel safe from exile or brutal ill-treatment at any moment. Paul also directed reforms which resulted in greater rights for the peasantry, and better treatment for serfs on agricultural estates. This was a great annoyance to the noble class and Paul's enemies. The Emperor also discovered outrageous machinations and corruption in the Russian treasury. If Russia had possessed any political institution except the tsardom, his enemies could have conspired to put him under restraint. But the country was not sufficiently civilized to deal with Paul as the Portuguese had dealt with Alphonso VI, a very similar person, in 1667. In early 19th-century Russia, as in medieval Europe, there was no safe haven for a deposed ruler. Paul's premonitions of assassination were well-founded.

Related Topics:
Exile - Alphonso VI - 1667

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