The "Conditions" of Anna Ivanovna's Accession to the Throne

Early in 1730, Peter II's unexpected death created a serious succession crisis in Russia. The problem was that there were no remaining male heirs to the Romanov line, and no precedent for choosing an alternate. At the urging of the powerful Dolgorukii and Golitsyn clans, the noble inner circle found an apparently pliable female candidate for the throne in Anna Ivanovna (Peter the Great's niece). To institutionalize its domination of the new ruler, the oligarchy controlling the Supreme Privy Council required Anna to sign the pre-accession agreement given below. This document placed a number of significant limitations on her ability to exercise power. However, when Anna arrived in Moscow and news of the "conditions" of her accession to the throne became known, an uproar broke out among nobles afraid of the Supreme Privy Council's new power. In the end, Anna chose to repudiate the restrictions she had signed. Relying on the support of the Guards and the less exalted nobility, she restored the principle of unfettered autocratic rule to Russia.

1. Why do the Conditions prohibit Anna from marrying?

2. What other former Imperial privileges does the document transfer to the Supreme Privy Council?

3. Who does the document imply will decide whether Anna has broken its stipulations and should be deposed?

4. Some historians have presented the Conditions as a first step toward Russian constitutionalism. Do you think the document supports such claims?

We hereby give a most binding promise that Our main concern and effort shall be not only to maintain Our Orthodox faith of the Greek Confession but also to spread it as far as possible, in every way. Moreover, after accepting the Russian crown, We will not marry so long as We shall live. Neither will We designate a successor, either in Our lifetime or after. We also promise that, since the safety and welfare of every state depends upon good counsel, we will always maintain the Supreme Privy Council as it is presently established (with a membership of eight persons). Without the consent of this Supreme Privy Council:

1. We will not start a war with anybody.

2. We will not conclude peace.

3. We will not burden our faithful subjects with new taxes.

4. We will not promote anybody to high rank (above the rank of colonel), either in the civil or military service, be it on land or sea, nor will we assign any important affair to anybody. The Guards and other important regiments are to remain under the control of the Supreme Privy Council.

5. We will not deprive members of the nobility of life, possessions, or honor without a court of law.

6. We will not grant any patrimonial estates [votchiny] or villages.

7. We will not promote anyone, whether Russian or foreign, to an office at court without the advice of the Supreme Privy Council.

8. We will not spend any revenues of state.

And [We also promise] to maintain an unalterably favorable disposition toward all our faithful subjects. Should I not carry out or fail to live up to any part of this promise, I shall be deprived of the Russian crown.

Original Translation by Daniel Field. Revised (Syntax clarifications) Jon Bone.