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Birth
Catherine The Great or Catherine II of Russia was born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia. However her birth name was Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg -
Marriage
Catherine converted to Orthodoxy and was married to the Grand Duke Peter. Catherine did like Peter's mother, Empress Elizabeth, but didn't care for her own husband. -
Cathrine the Empress
When Tsarina Elizabeth died and Peter III became ruler, she was scared that he would devoice her so she thought about fleeing. However, Peter was loosing his power very fast as the military and the church was against him. Catherine saw this as an opportunity, so she murdered Peter and took the throne for herself. -
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Deporation
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Decree on the Surfs
Catherine did study Enlightenment and promote, however, she did rule with a heavy hand. She made a law saying that all serfs "owe their landlords proper submission and absolute obedience in all matters." Bottom line, she basically promoted slavery. -
Foreign Affairs and Policy
One of her many lovers, the king of Poland, was in need of support so she sent him troops. This act led to a chain reaction of success for Russia. When the rebels saw that Poland brought in Russia they brought in the Turks. Then the Turks declared war on Russia and the chain reaction started. -
War and Control
When the Turks declared war on Russia they had no idea what was coming for them. Russian stomped the Turks. However, this angered another country that was allies with the Turks. -
Period: to
Battle for Expansion
After Russia beat the Turks, they upset Austria. Austria then threatened to declare war on Russia. But Russia and Austria ended up partitioned Poland. By 1774 Russia and Turkey signed a peace treaty and stopped the fighting. Under the peace treaty Russia gained control of the Black Sea for shipping purposes. -
Backlash
(See word document) -
Death
Catherine died from a stroke while on the toilet.