Anna of Russia vs Sophia Alekseyevna

Anna was invited to become empress by the Supreme Privy Council, which imposed conditions limiting her power. She accepted but soon tore up the conditions, dissolved the council, and established autocratic rule. Her accession marked a return to absolute monarchy after Peter II's death.

Anna, with support from the nobility and guards, revoked the conditions of her accession and dissolved the Supreme Privy Council. She replaced it with a cabinet of ministers loyal to her, consolidating her autocratic power and ending the experiment with constitutional limits.

Anna's reign was dominated by her German favorite, Ernst Johann von Biron, who became de facto ruler. Biron and other Baltic Germans filled key government posts, leading to widespread resentment among the Russian nobility. This period, known as Bironovshchina, was marked by corruption and repression.

Anna commissioned the construction of the first Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. The palace became the official residence of the Russian monarchs and a symbol of imperial power. It was later expanded and rebuilt by subsequent rulers.

Anna's government waged war against the Ottoman Empire, seeking access to the Black Sea. Russian forces captured the fortress of Azov and invaded the Crimea, but the war ended with the Treaty of Belgrade (1739), which returned most gains to the Ottomans. The war was costly and inconclusive.

Sophia Alekseyevna became regent for her younger brothers Ivan V and Peter I after the Moscow Uprising of 1682. She ruled Russia for seven years, becoming the first woman to effectively govern the country since the 16th century, with the support of the streltsy and Prince Golitsyn.

Sophia's government signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, confirming Russian control over left-bank Ukraine, Kiev, and Zaporizhia. The treaty also committed Russia to join the Holy League against the Ottoman Empire, shifting Russian foreign policy.

Sophia ordered two military campaigns against the Crimean Khanate, led by Prince Vasily Golitsyn. Both campaigns failed due to logistical problems and scorched-earth tactics, with the Russian army retreating without engaging the main Tatar forces, damaging Sophia's prestige.

Sophia was overthrown by Peter I, who had come of age and gathered support from loyal troops. She was forced to retire to the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, where she was kept under guard until her death in 1704, ending her regency and political influence.