Made Empress of Russia in 1762 after her husband, Peter III was removed from the throne. Shortly thereafter, he was murdered. Under Catherine, Russia's power grew as its boundaries expanded. Catherine's court was known for its political intrigues..

Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, was one of the most powerful and influential rulers in Russian history. Born Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst on May 2, 1729, in Stettin, Prussia (now Szczecin, Poland), she was the daughter of a minor German prince. Despite her relatively modest beginnings, Catherine would go on to become one of the longest-reigning female leaders of Russia, ruling from 1762 until her death in 1796.

Catherine's path to the Russian throne began with her marriage to Grand Duke Peter of Holstein-Gottorp, the future Peter III of Russia. The marriage was arranged by Empress Elizabeth of Russia, who hoped to strengthen the ties between Russia and Prussia. The union was not a happy one; Peter was immature and erratic, and the couple soon grew apart. However, Catherine was determined to succeed in her new role. She immersed herself in Russian culture, converted to the Russian Orthodox Church, and adopted the name Catherine. Her intelligence, charm, and political acumen quickly won her the favor of the Russian court.

In 1762, after only six months as emperor, Peter III was overthrown in a coup led by Catherine with the support of the military and various political factions. Peter was arrested and later died under mysterious circumstances, likely murdered. Catherine was then declared the Empress of Russia. Her rise to power was seen by many as a bold and decisive move, and it marked the beginning of a reign that would see Russia transformed into one of the great powers of Europe.

Catherine's reign is often characterized by her ambitious efforts to modernize and westernize Russia. She was heavily influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason, science, and the importance of education. Catherine corresponded with many of the leading intellectuals of the time, including Voltaire and Diderot, and sought to implement reforms that reflected Enlightenment ideals. She established the Smolny Institute, the first state-funded institution of higher education for women in Russia, and she reorganized the country's administrative divisions to improve governance.

Despite her efforts to modernize Russia, Catherine's reign was not without controversy. While she introduced some progressive reforms, such as limited religious tolerance and attempts to improve the legal system, she also maintained and even strengthened the institution of serfdom, which kept millions of Russians in a state of virtual slavery. Catherine faced numerous uprisings during her reign, the most significant of which was the Pugachev Rebellion (1773-1775), a massive peasant revolt that was brutally suppressed by her forces.

Catherine's foreign policy was marked by a series of successful military campaigns that expanded Russian territory significantly. Under her rule, Russia gained control of Crimea, parts of Poland, and territories along the Black Sea, further establishing the empire as a dominant force in Europe. Her leadership in these military endeavors earned her a reputation as a formidable and strategic ruler.

Catherine was also a great patron of the arts and culture. She founded the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, which became one of the most significant cultural institutions in the world. She collected art from across Europe, including works by Rembrandt, Raphael, and Van Dyck, and encouraged the development of Russian literature, theater, and music.

Catherine the Great died on November 17, 1796, leaving behind a legacy as one of Russia's most remarkable rulers. Her reign marked a period of significant change and expansion for the Russian Empire, and her influence extended beyond politics and military achievements to include cultural and intellectual contributions that shaped the course of Russian history. Although her reign was not without its flaws, Catherine's impact on Russia was profound and enduring, and she remains a towering figure in the annals of European history.