Catherine the Great
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Catherine II (born Princess Sophie Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), most commonly known as Catherine the Great, was the reigning empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796.
Jun 18, 2024 · Catherine II, called Catherine the Great, reigned over Russia for 34 years—longer than any other female in Russian history. As empress, Catherine westernized Russia. She led her country into full participation in the political and cultural life of Europe.
Aug 22, 2023 · Catherine II of Russia ( Catherine the Great) was empress regent of Russia from 1762-1796. She was born in Prussia to Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst (1690-1747) and Princess Johanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp (1712-1760), and although her family was noble, they were not wealthy.
- Catherine the Great was best known for modernising Russia and for her love of the arts.
- She enlisted the help of her lover Grigory Orlov and his brothers, who were all soldiers in the Russian army. The Russian army supported her claim...
- Peter III was immature, and he and Catherine clashed. Although they were initially friends, romantic love never grew between them, and they both ha...
- Catherine the Great was 33 years old when she overthrew Peter and became empress regent of Russia.
- Catherine the Great’s name wasn’t Catherine, and she wasn’t even Russian. The woman whom history would remember as Catherine the Great, Russia’s longest-ruling female leader, was actually the eldest daughter of an impoverished Prussian prince.
- Catherine’s eldest son—and heir—may have been illegitimate. Catherine and her new husband had a rocky marriage from the start. Though the young Prussian princess had been imported to produce an heir, eight years passed without a child.
- Catherine came to power in a bloodless coup that later turned deadly. Elizabeth died in January 1762, and her nephew succeeded to the throne as Peter III, with Catherine as his consort.
- Catherine faced more than a dozen uprisings during her reign. Of the various uprisings that threatened Catherine’s rule, the most dangerous came in 1773, when a group of armed Cossacks and peasants led by Emelyan Pugachev rebelled against the harsh socioeconomic conditions of Russia’s lowest class, the serfs.
Learn about Catherine the Great, one of the most influential rulers of Russia, who expanded its borders, reformed its laws and patronised the arts. Find out how she rose to power, ruled for 30 years and died in 1796.
Jul 21, 2019 · Learn about Catherine the Great, the longest-reigning female ruler of Russia, who expanded its borders, promoted westernization, and faced rebellions and wars. Find out how she rose to power, ruled as empress, and died in 1796.
Mar 16, 2023 · Learn how Catherine II, born Sophie in 1729, rose from a troubled marriage to a coup and became one of the most influential rulers of Russia. Discover her enlightened reforms, her empire's expansion, and her pursuit of love and legacy.
