# Paul I ascends the throne (1796)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/1796-paul-i-ascends-the-throne
Categories: ruler-change

Catherine II died in November 1796 and her son Paul I succeeded. In 1797 he issued the Pauline Laws fixing succession through the male line by primogeniture. Paul reversed many of his mother's policies and imposed strict discipline on the nobility and army. The succession law ended the era of female rulers and palace coups over inheritance.

## Why it matters
The succession law ended the era of female rulers and palace coups over inheritance.

Ruler at the time: [Paul I](https://history-russia.com/rulers/paul-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Paul I of Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_I_of_Russia)
- [Wikipedia — Pauline Laws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Laws)
- [Wikipedia — Russian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Paul I ascends the throne](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Paul+I+ascends+the+throne)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)