Paul I

Paul was the son of Catherine the Great and Peter the III.  Although there is much dispute over whether Peter was acutally the father as Catherine was known to get around town if ya know what I mean.  He was born in 1754.  He was taken at birth and raised by Elizabeth.  Catherine didn't like the fact that she didn't get to see him, but she dispised him very much.  She did everything possible to make sure he did not reach the throne.  Despite Catherine's efforts, Paul took the throne in 1796,

Paul's rule was quite different from his mothers.  He opposed foreign travel, took away the noble's rights, and limited the power of the imperial guards.  All things that Catherine exploited during her reign and pretty much made her popular.  Paul even opposed certain types of dress and the importing of certain books and music. This went completely away from what Catherine stood for. 

Because of his radical changes and somewhat child-like decisions, quite a few Russians grew to dislike him. In 1798, Paul joined the second coalition against France, but withdrew from it the following year. Next, he formed an alliance with Russia, Denmark, Sweden, and Prussia to fight agains English interference with neutral shipping.  He also ordered an invasion of India.  These three things combined, left many nobles and military personnel utterly disgusted with Paul's actions.  A conspiracy to murder Paul was put into plan and in 1801, Paul was murdered.  Paul's son, [Alexander I], succeeded his father.  Interestingly enough, Alexander new of the conspiracy to murder his father but did nothing to stop it.

I kind of feel sorry for Paul. First, his mother hated him.  THat is horrible in it's own right.  Second, who would have wanted to succeed Catherine?  Anyone that did so would not come close to comparing to what Catherine did.  No one could emulate what she did for the country.  So, whatever Paul did would seem wrong to the Russians because he was just not their Catherine. Lastly, his son must have thought he was completely inadequate to rule too as he new about his fathers impending murder, but did nothing to stop it.  Poor Fella.....