-
Birth of a Royal Daughter
Born in the German city of Stettin on April 21, 1729, Catherine was the daughter of Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst and Princess Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. Her education emphasized the subjects considered proper for one of her station: religion (Lutheranism), history, French, German, and music. -
Marriage to the Grand Duke
The marriage wasn't a happy one. Peter was a very strange man, he was childish into his late adolescence, and he was strange throughout his life.
Peter played with little toy soldiers all the time — and wasn't particularly interested in his wife. -
Death of Empress Elizabeth
After the death of the empress, Peter took the role of empreor while Catherine became the new empress. Catherine rode the waves of animosity that Peter had created in the government. Many wanted to overthrow him and take control. However, they underestimated Catherine and the role she inteded to play. Through the ralling of troops at St. Petersburg, Catherine was able to take control of Russia and declare herself the sole ruler. Peter was arrested and eventually killed. -
Catherine crowned
Catherine went immediately to work on the restructuring of her country. She took the lessons from enlightenment philosophers.
The term enlightened absolutism describes her style of rule. Aside from changing laws, she also worked on developing arts, music and education. -
Death of Catherine the Great
Catherine spent her rule by modernizing Russia in to a viable westernized society. She developd all levels of life for her citizens. Although she made many accomplishments during her rule. Catherine eventually died of a heart attack and was succeeded by her son Paul III.
