Abstract
During the reign of Tsar Peter the Third, his estranged relatives and middle European politicians gained significant influence on Russian inner affairs and foreign affairs. Unlike the time of the reign of Anna Ioannovna when foreigners used to be favoured as leading people, during his time the tsar did not allow any favourites.
His foreign policy was significantly different to the foreign policy of the time before, interests of the Duchy of Holstein-Gottorp started to be preferred to the interest of the Russian empire. In addition the new foreign policy dashed previous achievements without achieving new victories or territorial gains.
These previously mentioned facts allowed Catherine the Great to overthrow her husband's regime and explain it with the need of 'saving the country' from 'foreigners'.