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Perhaps one of the most important leaders of the Russian Empire, Catherine the Second, or "The Great," helped set the foundations for the Russian “Westernization” in the 19th and 20th centuries. Known for her intelligence and ambitions to rule the Russian Empire, Catherine not only challenged the social norms of the time but also set the precedent for women in powerful positions. Catherine ruled through corruption, scandal, political reforms, and land expansion. She consolidated power from the serfs and feudal lords by continuing the political reforms started by Peter the Great. Land expansion dramatically increased during the Polish civil war in the late 's and again in when a Russian victory over the Ottoman Empire resulted in new territory stretching to the banks of the . In addition to this, Catherine imported many great works in literature, art, and print from the Western European nations. blossomed sculptures, palaces, and educational systems. Education and law codes further developed under her reign. At the end of her thirty-four year reign from to , Catherine had catapulted into the w
Catherine the Great ( &#; ) was the longest-serving Russian monarch, reigning from to her death in She presided over a revitalisation of Russian strength, an expansion of Russian territories, greater integration of Russia within Europe and partial liberalisation of Russian society.
Early life
She was born Sophie Frederike August von Anhalt-Zerbst in Stettin, then part of Prussia (now modern Poland). In , she was accepted into the Russian Orthodox Church, changed her name to Catherine and married Grand Duke Peter, grandson of Peter the Great and heir to the Russian throne.
At first, she was viewed with suspicion in the Russian court because of her foreign roots, lack of Russian culture and liberal attitudes. However, she threw herself into Russian culture and became adept at forming relationships within the Russian court. Over time, her foreign birth became less important, as she was increasingly seen as more capable than her husband &#; Tsar Peter III &#; who was seen as weak, childish and incompetent. There was little love between Catherine and her husband. It was said that Catherine was soon engaged in various love affairs with top officials in the Russian court.
Catheri
Catherine the Great
The Russian empress Catherine II (), known as Catherine the Great, reigned from to She expanded the Russian Empire, improved administration, and vigorously pursued the policy of Westernization. Her reputation as an "enlightened despot," however, is not wholly supported by her deeds.
Born in the German city of Stettin on April 21, , Catherine was the daughter of Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst and Princess Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. Her education emphasized the subjects considered proper for one of her station: religion (Lutheranism), history, French, German, and music.
When Catherine was 15, she went to Russia at the invitation of Empress Elizabeth to meet—and perhaps marry—the heir to the throne, the Grand Duke Peter, an immature and disagreeable youth of As the Empress had hoped, the two proved amenable to a marriage plan; but Catherine later wrote that she was more attracted to the "Crown of Russia," which Peter would eventually wear, than to "his person." When Catherine had met the important condition imposed upon her as a prospective royal consort, that she be converted to the Russian Orthodox faith, she and the young Grand D
Catherine the Great
Born: Stettin, Pomerania, 21 April (2 May)
Died: St. Petersburg, 6 (17) November
Reigned:
Renowned as Catherine the Great, Empress of all the Russias, this remarkable woman was neither Russian nor originally named Catherine. Born Sophie Friederike Auguste from Anhalt-Zerbst, she was indeed a princess, but one that came from an obscure and impoverished German duchy. Fortunately, her mother enjoyed enviable royal connections, the effective exploitation of which resulted in a winter journey to St. Petersburg at the invitation of the childless Empress Elizabeth, who was actively seeking an appropriate bride for her designated heir, Peter. The year was and Sophie was fourteen years old. On 21 August , when Sophie was sixteen and Peter seventeen, the two were married.
Coronation of Catherine II
by Stefano Torelli
Like Sophie, Peter was German-born, but this was almost all that the new couple had in common. Peter, who was at the very least eccentric, loathed the country into which he had been imported as child heir, and remained a staunch supporter of all things Prussian, especially the Prussian military, which did nothing to
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