Paul 1st - Russian Tsar Assassination

This is one of these stories for which we might never know exactly what happened, or rather how it happened and who was behind it... On 23 March 1801, Russian Tsar Paul 1st was assassinated in his chambers, in his own palace!

Upon accessing the throne, Paul wished to transform Russia and Russian society, including reforming nobility which is always a difficult thing to accomplish, specially when one issues new laws and regulations within a few years.

He also took a 360° turn with his foreign policy. In 1799 he had joined a coalition with England and European monarchs fighting against Revolutionary France. A year later, he left that coalition and was among Kingdoms that had a neutral position with regards to other Monarchies fighting against Napoleon.

So what sparked the coup leading to his assassination?

Was it his sudden and numerous reforms, his change of policy and distrust of England? Was it the ambition of his own son Alexander who was eager to access the throne? Or a combination of all of the above? Interestingly, the new Tsar Alexander 1st reversed his father's alliance with France and joined further coalitions against it...