# Peter II of Russia

> Emperor of Russia (1715-1730)

**Wikidata**: [Q160227](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q160227)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_II_of_Russia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peter-ii-of-russia

## Summary
Peter II of Russia was a member of the Romanov dynasty who served as the Emperor of Russia from 1727 until his death in 1730. Born in 1715, he was the grandson of Peter the Great and ruled during a brief period when the capital of the Russian Empire was temporarily moved to Moscow. His reign marked a short interlude in the succession of Russian monarchs before the accession of Anna I.

## Biography
- **Born:** October 12, 1715
- **Nationality:** Russian (Citizenship: Russian Empire)
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Serving as Emperor of Russia (1727–1730) and being the third monarch of the Russian Empire
- **Employer(s):** Russian Empire (as Head of State)
- **Field(s):** Monarchy, State Governance

## Contributions
As a monarch, Peter II's primary contribution was his role as the Head of State of the Russian Empire during the transition period between the reigns of Catherine I and Anna I.
- **Leadership:** Served as Emperor of all the Russias from 1727 to 1730.
- **Capital Relocation:** His reign coincided with the period (1728–1730) when Moscow served as the de facto capital of the Russian Empire, shifting the seat of government from Saint Petersburg.
- **Succession:** He was the third in the line of 14 monarchs that ruled the empire from Peter the Great to Nicholas II, maintaining the continuity of the Romanov dynasty.
- **State Symbols:** During his reign, the empire utilized the White-Blue-Red flag (1721–1858) and the official religion remained the Russian Orthodox Church.

## FAQs
**Who was Peter II of Russia?**
Peter II was the Emperor of Russia who reigned from 1727 to 1730. He was the grandson of Peter the Great and the third monarch of the Russian Empire.

**When did Peter II rule and where was the capital?**
He ruled from 1727 until his death in 1730. During his specific reign, the capital was located in Moscow from 1728 to 1730, having previously been in Saint Petersburg.

**What was the political system during Peter II's reign?**
The Russian Empire operated as an absolute monarchy during his rule, a system that persisted from 1721 until 1905. The head of state held the title "Emperor of all the Russias."

**What happened to the Russian Empire after Peter II?**
Following his death in 1730, he was succeeded by Anna I of Russia. The empire continued to exist as a sovereign state until its dissolution in 1917.

## Why They Matter
Peter II of Russia represents a critical, albeit brief, link in the succession of the Russian Empire's leadership during its formative years. His reign is historically significant for the temporary relocation of the imperial capital back to Moscow, a unique event in the empire's timeline between 1728 and 1730. As the grandson of Peter the Great, his existence ensured the continuation of the Romanov line during a period of political instability. Without his reign, the specific historical narrative regarding the fluctuation of the capital city and the immediate succession of Anna I would be altered. His short rule highlights the fragility of the early imperial succession and the ongoing consolidation of the absolute monarchy established by his grandfather.

## Notable For
- Serving as the third monarch of the Russian Empire from 1727 to 1730.
- Being the grandson of Peter the Great, the founder of the Russian Empire.
- Ruling during the only period (1728–1730) when Moscow served as the de facto capital of the empire.
- Holding the title of Emperor of all the Russias during the absolute monarchy era.
- Being a recipient of the Order of St. Andrew, the highest order of the Russian Empire.
- Being part of the succession of 14 monarchs that ruled the empire from 1721 to 1917.
- Having his reign documented in major encyclopedias including Encyclopædia Britannica and the Great Russian Encyclopedia.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Peter II, born Peter Alexeyevich, was a human member of the genus *Homo sapiens* and a citizen of the Russian Empire. He was born on October 12, 1715. His native label was Пётр II Алексеевич. He is identified in various databases under aliases such as Peter II Alexeyevich and Pedro II Alexéievich. As a member of the Romanov dynasty, he was the grandson of Peter the Great, the founder of the Russian Empire.

### Reign and Political Role
Peter II ascended to the throne in 1727 and ruled until his death in 1730. During his tenure, the Russian Empire functioned as an absolute monarchy. The head of state held the title "Emperor of all the Russias." His reign was a segment of the broader history of the Russian Empire, which existed from October 22, 1721, to September 1, 1917. The government structure during his time was consistent with the period from 1721 to 1905, characterized by absolute rule. He was the third monarch in the sequence, following Peter the Great (1721–1725) and Catherine I of Russia (1725–1727), and preceding Anna I of Russia (1730–1740).

### Capital and Geography
A distinctive feature of Peter II's reign was the location of the imperial capital. While Saint Petersburg served as the capital from 1721 to 1728 and again from 1730 to 1917, Moscow served as the de facto capital specifically during the period of 1728 to 1730. This coincided with his rule. The Russian Empire was a transcontinental state spanning Eurasia and North America. At the time of his reign, the empire included territories in North America known as Russian America, which existed until 1867. The empire's coordinates were approximately 58.65°N, 70.1167°E.

### State Symbols and Administration
During Peter II's rule, the state symbols of the Russian Empire were in use. The flag of Russia was the White-Blue-Red design, which was used from 1721 to 1858. The official religion was the Russian Orthodox Church, adhering to Eastern Orthodoxy. The currency used was the Gold rouble and Ruble. The official language of the state was Russian, though regional languages like Polish, Finnish, and Swedish held official status in specific administrative regions. The anthem during this era was not yet "God Save the Tsar!" (which began in 1833), but the state operated under the symbols established by Peter the Great.

### Awards and Recognition
Peter II was a recipient of the Order of St. Andrew, which was the highest order of the Russian Empire. This order was established in 1698. His recognition as a monarch is documented in numerous external identifiers and sources, including the Library of Congress Authority ID (n80001203), the Bibliothèque nationale de France ID (119405184), and the VIAF ID (247149066396265601002). He is referenced in the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, and the Great Russian Encyclopedia.

### Death and Succession
Peter II died on January 19, 1730 (some sources cite January 1, 1730). His death marked the end of his short reign. He was succeeded by Anna I of Russia, who ruled from 1730 to 1740. The empire continued to function as a sovereign state until its dissolution in 1917, following the February Revolution and the abolition of the monarchy. The Russian Empire was eventually replaced by the Russian Republic.

### Historical Context and Legacy
Peter II's life and reign occurred within the context of a rapidly expanding empire that would become the largest country in the world by 1865. The empire he served as a young monarch participated in major conflicts such as the French invasion of Russia, the Crimean War, and World War I, though these events occurred long after his death. His reign is a specific data point in the timeline of the Russian Empire's political evolution, which transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1905. The empire's existence shaped modern boundaries and international relations, and its collapse precipitated the rise of the Soviet Union. Peter II remains a notable figure in the succession of 14 monarchs from Peter the Great to Nicholas II.

## References

1. BiographySampo
2. The National Biography of Finland
3. Integrated Authority File
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. BnF authorities
6. [Source](https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/p/pedro_ii_alexeievich.htm)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. LIBRIS. 2012
10. Sejm-Wielki.pl
11. HMML Authority File