Catherine the Great

Childhood Hobbies

1736

Catherine loved to read, especially works of figures of the French enlightenment like; Diderot, Voltaire and Montesquieu. This made her into an enlightenment despot, and as ruler tried to follow Europe's enlightenment ideas.

Catherine Visits Russia

1744

Catherine's mother took her to visit Russia to meet the empress Elizabeth. It was to see if Catherine would make a suitable heir to the throne, Catherine was determined to be as it was to get away from her normal life for power, knowing this was her chance to get higher in the social life.

Marry into Royalty

1745

being abandoned by her own mother, she would usually spent time with her brother, left to be cared for a governess until her brother died. When he did, her mother tried to get her to marry for social standing, Catherine used this as an escape from her awful mother. This is how she met peter.

Catherines Affairs

1745

It was speculated Catherine had 12 lovers, usually ones of social power, which later were a great social step ladders, gaining support of the people. she also rewarded her lovers with money and social stats.

Coup of Peter III

1750

Since Peter was incapable of ruling, she saw quite early the possibility of eliminating him and governing Russia herself. Peter also prepared to rid himself of his wife. Catherine had only to strike: She devised a coup to overthrow Peter from his reign. Peter III abdicated and was assassinated eight days later.

Paul I, Peter and Catherines son

1754

Catherine and Peter's child, the one that would ascend to the throne, Paul. she did not spend much time with him for right after birth he was taken under care of Elizabeth. she also thought of him as a illegitimate ruler, since he carries so many of his fathers traits. Catherine would alienate him more, causing Paul to think his mother was plotting his death.

Serfdom

1767

Originally opposed by Catherine, she realized she needed the power from nobles so she demoted the serfs to below nobles, and made the serfs do more labor work and pay more taxes. Lots of peasant rebellion happened because of this, and the more rebellion there was, the more peasants became serfs by Catherine.

Upgrading Education

1770

With Catherine's love for learning, and noticing that Russia is primitive compared to Europe. She established a boarding school for girls in noble families, later she built free ones to open more opportunities for learning.

Crimean Journey

1787

Catherine’s glorification reached its climax in the voyage to Crimea.the empress crossed the country to take possession of her new provinces; the emperor of Austria, the king of Poland, and innumerable diplomats traveled to honor her and to enjoy the idea of Catherine's and her court what became known as “Cleopatra’s fleet”. She dedicated new towns wanting them to bear her name.

French revolution Effect

1795

the French revolution made Catherine feel threatened, she fought back with her troops, after the uprising with Tadeusz Kościuszko, she wiped Poland off the map and divided it between Russia, Prussia and Austria.