Difference between revisions of "Catherine the Great"
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Catherine reigned from 1762 to 1796. She was initially looked at with suspicion, seeing as she had no title to the crown, and she was brought to power due to a palace revolution. She gradually gained her popularity. | Catherine reigned from 1762 to 1796. She was initially looked at with suspicion, seeing as she had no title to the crown, and she was brought to power due to a palace revolution. She gradually gained her popularity. | ||
| − | Catherine's despotic rule and personal morality suffered from similar moral failures as a great many men in power. | + | Catherine's despotic rule and personal morality suffered from similar moral failures as a great many men in power. On the other hand, she did attempt to democratize governance, suggesting that her instinct was toward egalitarianism. Yet she also reinforced [[feudalism]] by tightening the tie between [[serf]]s and their overlords. |
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Revision as of 00:46, November 16, 2007
Catherine the Great (Russian: Екатерина II Великая) was an empress of Russia who lived from April 21, 1729 to November 6, 1796. She is remembered for leading her country into full participation in the political and cultural life of Europe, and for advancing the Partitions of Poland.
Background
Catherine was a princess of the petty German principality Anhalt-Zerbst. She was well educated and, like many other nobles of Europe in the 18th century, heavily influenced by French culture. In 1744, when she was fifteen, she left for Russia to marry Peter of Holstien-Gottorp. She converted to Orthodox Christianity and learned Russian and Russian culture upon her arrival in the country. Peter was both a miserable husband and leader. In 1762, she led a successful coup, which killed her husband and made her Empress Catherine II.
Empress
Catherine reigned from 1762 to 1796. She was initially looked at with suspicion, seeing as she had no title to the crown, and she was brought to power due to a palace revolution. She gradually gained her popularity.
Catherine's despotic rule and personal morality suffered from similar moral failures as a great many men in power. On the other hand, she did attempt to democratize governance, suggesting that her instinct was toward egalitarianism. Yet she also reinforced feudalism by tightening the tie between serfs and their overlords.
