1730 Death of Peter II. Anna, daughter of Ivan, the brother of Peter the Great, is chosen his successor after submitting to the terms dictated by the great nobles—terms intended to convert the government into an oligarchy.
1733-35 War of the Polish Succession: Russia intervenes on behalf of the elector of Saxony, Augustine III, and defeats the French attempt to replace Stanislaus Leszczynski on the throne of Poland.
1735 Russia surrenders her Persian possessions in return for extensive trading privileges to Russian merchants.
1735-39 War with Turkey, in conjunction with Austria. The Russians conquer Otchakov at the mouth of the Dnieper and the important fortress of Khotin on the same river. But at the peace of Belgrade, hastily concluded by the Austrians, they retain only Azov.
1740 Death of Anna. Ivan VI, her grand-nephew, succeeds her, with Biron, duke of Courland, as regent during his minority.
1741 A coup d’état, led by Field-marshal Münich deposed Biron and raises Princess Anna, mother of Ivan, to the regency. But Münich is the real ruler. A palace revolution deposes Ivan, sends Münich to Siberia, and raises to the throne Elizabeth, a daughter of Peter the Great by Catherine. Sweden, urged on by France, declares war. The Swedes are defeated at Vilmanstrand.
1742 Seventeen thousand Swedes surrender at Helsingfors. The Armenian churches in both capitals are suppressed by order of the holy synod.
1743 Treaty of Åbo with Sweden; Russia acquires the southern part of Finland as far as the river Kymmene.
1753 The custom-houses of the interior, as well as many toll duties, are suppressed.