Why Peter The Great Really Killed His Son

Why Peter The Great Really Killed His Son

Where Peter was an innovative and adventurous leader, Alexei (above) was the opposite. He apparently took more after his mother, an extremely conservative and pious woman, per History Collection. The czar banished Alexei's mother to a convent. This action, along with a few other incidents between the two, resulted in a very strained relationship, so much so that Peter no longer wanted Alexei to succeed him on the throne. Surprisingly enough, Alexei agreed to relinquish his title and live the quiet life of a monk, which should have been the end of it. Unfortunately, Alexei had a change of heart, and then made a decision which had catastrophic results.

Instead of going quietly to a monastery as had been discussed, Alexei fled to Austria with his mistress and three servants, as stated in History. Peter was completely furious and tracked down his wayward son in 1717. He sent Alexei a letter, stating that all would be forgiven and no punishment would befall him if he just came home without a fuss. This turned out to be a lie. Upon his return, Alexei was immediately disinherited and forced to reveal the names of his "accomplices" who helped him flee. After turning in his friends, he was put on trial, jailed, and tortured under suspicion of treason. About a week after being beaten — "flogged for days," says History Collection — and "confessing" to conspiring against the czar, Alexei succumbed to his wounds, thus dying at the hands of his own father.