Catherine II

Catherine II (Russian: Екатерина II; May 2, 1729 - November 17, 1796), commonly known as Catherine the Great (Russian: Екатерина Великая), or translated into English as Catherine II or Catherine the Great (Catherine the Great) Great), Empress of Russia (reigned 1762-1796), was the wife of Emperor Peter III. She became empress after deposing her husband through a coup. Her 34-year reign made her the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the Russian Empire. Under his rule Russia experienced a renaissance, reached its peak and became a world power. Catherine often relied on the assistance of her favored nobles, such as Orlov and Potemkin, both during her accession to the throne and during her reign. With the support of generals such as Suvorov, Rumyantsev, and Ushakov, the Russian Empire under Catherine expanded rapidly through military and diplomatic means. In the south, Russia defeated the Ottoman Empire and defeated the Crimean Khanate through the Russo-Turkish War, and colonized a vast area of ​​the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Azov (i.e. New Russia); in the west, Catherine arranged for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ruled by her lover Stanislaw August to be carved up, and Russia gained the largest area of ​​territory; in the east, Russia began to colonize Alaska, and established Russian North America during the reign of her son Paul I. Catherine reformed the administrative divisions and many new towns were built under her orders. Following the footsteps of Peter the Great, whom she admired, she continued to modernize Russia according to the Western European model. However, conscription and the economy were still based on serfdom. The needs of the country and landowners became increasingly dependent on serfs, which led to many rebellions, such as the Pugachev uprising of peasants and Cossacks. Catherine's reign is known as the "Catherine Era" and is often considered the golden age of the Russian Empire and Russian nobility. The "Declaration of Freedom of the Nobility" promulgated by Peter III during his reign and confirmed and continued by Catherine liberated the nobility from compulsory military service and state duties. Catherine promoted the construction of many classicist aristocratic buildings and changed the face of Russia. She was an ardent supporter of the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment, earning her the title of Enlightened Despot. Catherine also supported the arts and promoted the development of the Russian Enlightenment. Smolny Palace, established during this period, was the first state-funded higher education institution for women in Europe.