The Contributions of Catherine II (Catherine the Great), Empress of Rus

The Contri thoions of Catherine II (Catherine the Great), Empress of Russia Catherine II, or Catherine the Great, empress of Russia (1762-96), didmuch to vary Russia into a modern country. Originally named SophieFredericke Augusta, she was born in Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland), on may2, 1729, the daughter of the German prince of Anhalt-Zerbst. At the age of15 she went to Russia to become the married woman of Peter, nephew and heir ofEmpress ELIZABETH. Elizabeth died on Dec. 25, 1761, and Catherines husband succeeded asPETER III. The new rule soon made himself unpopular, especially withcertain army officers. Led by Aleksei ORLOV (whose brother Grigori wasCatherines lover), the officers staged a coup in June 1762. Peter wasdeposed (and after murdered), and Catherine became absolute ruler ofthe largest European empire, whose language she never learned to chatcorrectly and without accent. At the age of 33, Catherine was not only a full-grown woman (whosenumerous love affai rs dominate the popular accounts of her life), but as well asunusually well read and deeply involved in the cultural trends of her age.She was a tireless worker and knew how to select capable assistants--forexample, Nikita PANIN in foreign affairs, Aleksandr SUVOROV in the military,and Grigory POTEMKIN in administration. Imbued with the ideas of theEnlightenment, Catherine aimed at completing the job started by Peter I--westernizing Russia--but she had different methods. Unlike Peter, she didnot forcibly conscript troupe into the service of the state, but ratherencouraged individual initiative in pursuit of self-interest. She succeededto a degree with the upper classes, but did nothing for the overwhelm... ...re of the dim Sea. The fertile landsof the Ukraine were also opened for settlement and soon became the granaryof Europe. Catherine also participated in the partitions of Poland (1772,1792, and 1795), bringing a large part of that country downstairs Russian rule. By the time of Catherines death (Nov. 17, 1796), modern Russian purchase order was organized and its culture had struck firm roots. Russia wasalso playing a determining role in world affairs.Bibliography Alexander, John T., Catherine the Great manner and Legend(1989) Cronin, Vincent, Catherine, Empress of All the Russians (1978)Grey, Ian, Catherine the Great (1961 repr. 1975) Maroger, Dominique, ed.,Memoirs of Catherine the Great, trans. by M. Budberg (1961) Oldenbourg,Zoe, Catherine the Great, trans. by Anne Carter (1965) Raeff, Marc, ed.,Catherine the Great A Profile (1972).