Catherine the Great
by Shea Gallagher
Personality
filled her time reading, studying French philosophy, building alliances behind the scenes, and biding her time
ruled with intelligence, a firm hand, and a mind set on modernization
- efficient and energetic
Accomplishments
was a German princess but learned Russian and embraced Russian Orthodox faith, winning the loyalty of the people
mentally unstable husband became emperor in 1672, but he was deposed and murdered by a group of Russian army officers
she became empress of Russia
- began state sponsored education for boys and girls
- took part of Eastern Poland
Policies
absolute monarch
exempted many boyars from taxes
allowed many boyars to increase their stranglehold on peasants
peasants rebelled against serfdom, so Catherine made their conditions worse
- many peasants were forced into serfdom under her rule
Interesting Facts
- it was not known if she had any part in the murder of her husband
- wanted to expand Russia's borders
- she was ruthless and unkind to peasants