The political history of Russia of the 18th century is, in fact, the history of palace coups. Scientists identify seven major "palace storms" that shook the Russian Empire of that era. This is the accession of Catherine I, the fall of Menshikov, the accession of Anna Ioannovna, the fall of Biron, the accession of Elizabeth Petrovna, Catherine II and Alexander I. Politically less significant, but shocking Russian society, reprisals against Artemy Volynsky and mysterious, overshadowing the triumph of Catherine II, the death of Peter III in Ropsche.