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Birth
Catherine was born in a Germany city, Stettin on April 21, 1729. She lived with her parents in Russia until she met her husband. Ctherine was very smart but did not get a formal education until later on in her life(Encyclopedis of world Biography). -
England declares war
England declared war on Spain in 1739. In America battles broke out between Florida (spain) and Georgia and South Carolina (american) colonists. Effecting almost everyine around the world. -
Marriage
When Catherine was just 16 years old, she went to Russia to meet her potential husband Grand Duke Peter. Elizabeth who was Empress at the time had invited Catherine to come meet her son. They ended up getting married in 1745 (Felder). -
Becoming Empress
After Elizabeth died on December 28, 1762, Peter became Emperor and Catherine became Empress of Russia. Peter was a very noneffective ruler and didnt really contributed anything to Russia during his time of rule. Shortly after their marriage he was planning on devorceing Catherine to have the throne all to himself (Barry 38). -
Sovereign ruler of Russia
On June 28, 1762 Catherine became sovereign ruler of Russia. Catherine rallied troops together to overthrow Peter and declare herself the Sovereign ruler of Russia. Peter was then arrested and put in jail for life. Catherine the Great became the sovereign ruler of Russia until her son was old enough to take over the throne. -
The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War, known as the Seven Year's War, ended with the Treaty of Paris. France gave England all French territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The Spanish gave up east and west Florida to the English in return for the island of Cuba. -
Reform
Catherine started working on reform using Enlightment ideals. This brought Enlightment to the area where it was never there before. Catherine undertook a wide range of internal political reforms throughout her reign. Catherine also worked around foreign reforms but mainly domestics ideals (Barry 41). -
Code of Laws
In June 1767, Catherine the Great revised the Old Code of Laws to work with the new "instruction". Catherine carried out her first major reform, which was based on the old and inefficient Code of Laws. For more than two years, she worked on the "Instruction," which were a set of laws for those that were not trusted with reforming the legal system of Russia (Talbot rice). -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a street fight that happened in Boston, Massachusettes between British soilders and a patriot mob. The patriot mob threw snowballs, rocks and sticls at the British soilders. And the British soilders killed many people during the fight. This was one of the main events that led to the revolutionary war. -
Foreign Affairs
In 1774 foreign affairs began to demand Catherine's close attention. Catherine the Great attempted to increase Russia's power at the expense of its weaker neighbors poland and Ottoman empire(foreignafrussia). she sent troops to Poland to help fight and she halp other countries too, in order to create alliances(Russiapedia.com). -
Russia
Russians established their first settlement in Alaska, on Kodiak Island on September 22, 1784. This finally gave them connections to the other side of the world, Increasing their trade greatly. -
Education
Catherine the Great adopted the education system in 1786. She made buildings all over Russia and founded academies, journals and libraries which greatly contributed to the educantional systems. Because Catherine was very inteligent herself she often taught higher class people in her new academies. -
War
Sultan declared war on Russia in 1787. During her reign Catherine waged two wars against the Ottoman Empire and extend the borders of Russia greatly. She also used the weakness of poland around Russia to help her. Around this time, foreign affairs began to arise so Catherine attempted to increase Russia's power. -
French Revolution
The French Revolution was a war with fance itself. It was influenced by Enlightenment, and the concepts of inalienable rights in the country. During this revolution it was a time of despair in the counrty of France. the country was split and it was very chaotic. -
Treaty of Jassy
Catherine the Graet signed the Treaty of Jassy and won sections of new land from Turkey in 1792, expanding the size of Russia. this expansion of Russia increase its wealth and food supply throughout Russia(foreignafrussia). -
Death
Catherine the Great died of a Stroke on November 6, 1796. She died at the age of 67, living a fairly long life. Catherine the Great's rule was inherited by her son Paul I. Catherine the Great is known to this day for being one of Russia's greatest rulers ever (Felder).
