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[h3]Born Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst, the daughter of a German prince, she was related through her mother to the dukes of Holstein. In 1744 she arrived in Russia, as the Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseyevna, and married Peter, grandson of Peter the Great and heir to the throne. Russia at the time was ruled by Peter’s mother, the empress Elizabeth. [/h3]

Catherine was intelligent and ambitious. During her husband's lifetime she had at least three lovers and, if her hints are to be believed, none of her children were his.

When Elizabeth died in 1762 Russia was engaged in the Seven Years' War against Prussia. Peter, now emperor, pulled Russia out of the war and allied with Frederick II of Prussia. Foolishly betraying his actions, Peter prepared to be rid of his wife. Catherine, however, had the support of the public and the army, and was proclaimed empress on July 9. Peter III abdicated and was assassinated eight days later. She was soon crowned in Moscow, beginning a 34-year reign.

During her reign she reduced the powers of the clergy, continued to preserve friendly relations with Prussia, France and Austria and, in 1764, she specified Poland’s borders and installed one of her old lovers as king of Poland. A follower of the Enlightenment in 1767, she assembled a group of delegates in order to determine the people’s wishes and compose a constitution. Unfortunately, it was considered too liberal and came to nothing.

In 1768 she went to war with Turkey, so as to concentrate on the importance of national grandeur. The war inspired patriotism in Catherine's subjects but, in 1773, a former officer of the Don Cossacks inspired the greatest uprising in Russia prior to 1917. The movement spread rapidly and, in June 1774, Cossack troops prepared to march on Moscow. At this point Russia won the war with Turkey and Catherine crushed the rebellion.

Catherine now realized that she needed to exercise more control over the people and that serf liberation would be intolerable to the owners, on whom she depended, and who would throw the country into chaos once they lost their income. Catherine thus focused on strengthening a system that she had labelled as inhuman.

Catherine died in 1796 and was succeeded by her son Paul.
Catherine the Great biography




Catherine the Great biography




Catherine the Great biography

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