Sophia Alekseyevna

Timeline

1. 1671–1680Moscow · RussiaIn the later years of her brother Feodor III's reign, Sophia gradually intervened in decision-making through her family position and allies such as the Golitsyn brothers. Familiar with the workings of church and noble factions, she accumulated networks and political capital for seizing the regency during the succession crisis.
2. 1682–1689Moscow · RussiaAfter the Streltsy uprising of 1682, she installed her young brothers Peter and Ivan V as co-tsars, proclaimed herself regent, and actually controlled the government. During her tenure wars were fought with Poland and Crimea and some Westernizing measures were promoted, but she failed to check the expansion of Peter's power.
3. 1689–1704Novodevichy Monastery · MoscowIn 1689 Peter launched a coup, Sophia's supporters were routed, and she was forced into a convent and long confined at the Novodevichy Monastery, ending her political career; she died there in 1704.