worldhistorys:♔ Historic People: Catherine the Great ♔Catherine II, often called Catherine the Great

worldhistorys:♔ Historic People: Catherine the Great ♔Catherine II, often called Catherine the Great (1729-1796), became Russian empress in 1762. Under her reign, Russia expanded its territories and modernized, following Western Europe. She died on November 17th, 1796 in Tsarskoye Selo (modern-day Pushkin). Catherine the Great started out as a minor German princess; her birth name was Sophia Friederike Auguste. Educated by tutors, Catherine had religious studies with a military chaplain, but questioned much of what she was taught. She knew three languages: German, French, and Russian. In 1744, Catherine and her mother traveled to Russia; there, she became ill and afterwards continued her relationship with Grand Duke Peter (later Peter III). The two became engaged and soon wed and Catherine converted to Russian Orthodox faith, despite her father’s Lutheran objections. Under her new religion, she received a new name: Yekaterina, or Catherine. In 1761, Peter III took the throne; however, Catherine conspired with her lover, Gregory Orlov, a Russian lieutenant, to have Peter removed from the throne. She was able to get him to step down from power and assumed control herself. With her new leadership, Catherine sought to appease the military and the church; in her early reign, she returned the church’s land and property. At the time of Catherine’s accession, Russia was viewed as backward and provincial by Europe. She sought to change this negative opinion by expanding educational opportunities and the arts. In St. Petersburg, she had a theater built for opera and ballet performances. Also, as an avid reader, Catherine was especially fond of philosophers and writers of the Enlightenment. She exchanged letters with French writer Voltaire, and writer Denis Diderot traveled to Russia to visit her. By 1796, Catherine enjoyed several decades as Russia’s absolute ruler. However, in November, Catherine suffered a stroke and died the next day. At the Winter Palace (Pictures: x // x), she was laid in the coffin next to her late husband. Historically, Catherine is often remembered for her romantic liaisons than her many accomplishments; while she is largely criticized for not improving the lives of serfs, she did bring forth many educational reforms and championing of the arts.  -- source link

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