Search results
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. She came to power after overthrowing her husband, Peter III.
May 5, 2024 · Catherine the Great, empress of Russia (1762–96) who led her country into full participation in the political and cultural life of Europe. With her ministers she reorganized the administration and law of the Russian Empire and extended Russian territory, adding Crimea and much of Poland.
- 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.
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.
May 15, 2020 · Learn about the life and achievements of the Russian empress who ruled from 1762 to 1796 and expanded her empire, promoted Enlightenment ideals and reforms, and inspired a Hulu series. Find out how she deposed her husband, Peter III, and faced challenges and controversies in her reign.
- Meilan Solly
The long reign of Catherine II (the Great) was a turning point in Russian history. She received the fruit of half a century’s evolution since Peter the Great’s reforms. A prolific writer herself, Catherine corresponded regularly with the foremost men of her age, including Voltaire, Diderot, Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, Baron Friedrich ...
People also ask
How did Catherine the great influence the Enlightenment?
Why was Catherine II crowned empress of Russia?
When was Catherine II crowned?
When did Catherine the Great come out on Hulu?
Nov 1, 2019 · Learn about the life and legacy of Catherine the Great, who ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796. She expanded the empire, reformed the government, and faced challenges from her husband, her nobles, and her lovers.