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Catherine grows up German but adopts Russian culture
She was raised a German princess in a Lutheran household, but as she grew up, she became a fan of the Enlightenment and read lots. -
Recieved into the Orthodox Church
Once she starts getting older she converts to Russian Orthodoxy, learns the language and becomes Catherine Alekseyevna. This is so that she would be a successful noble in Russia. -
Engaged at 15
She gets engaged to Peter, duke of Holstein-Gottorp at a young age. They were distant cousins and never really loved each other. -
Married Peter
Married future emperor Peter at St. Petersburg. The pair were both German and since Peter would become emperor, he needed a wife. -
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Lovers
She wasn't close to her husband and enjoyed many lovers, 21 of whom have been identified. It was believed that Peter and Catherine were both cheating on each other and married because they were distant cousins, were both German and they were familiar. -
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Catherine works to win over the Guard
While married to Peter, who alienated her, she won over the favor of the guard. They were abolished under the rule of past czars, but with them she was able to have several victories that made her an immense power. -
Son is born
Her son Paul, who was eight years old at the time of her coronation, is born. It is said that he may not have been the child of her husband, but the son of one of her lovers. -
Czarina Elizabeth dies
Peter II's aunt, Czarina Elizabeth ruled Russia. When she died, Peter took power and Catherine worried what he would do to her without the czarina's protection. -
Catherine kills Peter
She is suspected to have assassinated her husband, Peter, who didnt show her any affection and alienated her. -
Earns the title "the Great"
Because of her policies and way of ruling, she earned the title in her own day and has been called remarkable. During her time, she enlarged Russia and increased its international power vastly.
