Catherine the Great

Catherine's Birth

May 2, 1729

Catherine Arrives in Russia

Jan 1, 1744

Catherine arrives in Russia after being chosen to marry Karl Ulrich, duke of Holstein-Gottorp.

Catherine Becomes A Member of the Orthodox Church

Jun 28, 1744

Catherine wanted to become apart of the orthodox church. Her father was Lutheran and refused to let her join. Despite that she did anyways.

Catherine Marries Peter III

Aug 21, 1745

Peter III was very unstable. He was neurotic, rebellious, and abusive. Catherine took this marriage as an opportunity to rise to power.

Paul's Birth

Sep 20, 1754

Catherine's first son Paul was born, and he was proposed to become heir to the throne.

Anna's Birth

Dec 9, 1757

Catherine had a second child named Anna.

Anna's Death

Mar 8, 1759

Catherine's second child Anna died, which triggered a bad relationship between Catherine and Peter III

Empress Elizabeth's Death

Dec 25, 1761

Peter's mother, Empress Elizabeth passed away. This means that Peter is now emperor and Catherine has a chance to overthrow.

Catherine's Reign Began

Jul 9, 1762

Catherine Claimed Herself Empress

Jul 9, 1762

Catherine's army came together in St.Petersburg as she claimed herself empress in the Kazan Cathedral

Catherine and Peter's Marriage comes to a End

Jul 17, 1762

Catherine was having suspicions that Peter III was going to divorce her, so she arrested Peter soon after he became tsar.

War Against Ottoman Empire

Period: Jan 1, 1768 to Jan 1, 1774

Catherine won her first war against the Ottoman Empire, making Russia the dominant power of south-eastern Europe

Catherine's Death

Nov 17, 1796

Catherine's Reign Ended

Nov 17, 1796