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Catherine II is born.
The daughter of a German prince was born on this date. She was named Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst, but she will become Catherine the Great. -
Catherine marries Peter III, becomes Russian royalty.
After learning Russian, converting to Russian orthodox, and chaning her name to Ekaterina Alexyevna, she married Karl Peter Ulrich. They were not happy in marrige, it was arranged and neither liked the other very much. -
Peter III suceeds Empress Elizabeth
Empress Elizabeth- the aunt and a friend of Catherine's and the one who had arranged the marrige- died. Karl Peter Ulrich became Emperor Peter III. Peter was a widely hated emperor. He was not native to Russia or loyal to it, uninterested in domestic issues. He only maintained the throne for six months before an uprising banished him and placed Catherine as ruler. -
Catherine is coronated.
Her husband, Peter III, abdicated on this day, leaving Catherine as the ruler. Catherine is coronated. -
Peter III is assassinated
Peter III is assasinated by a friend and supporter of Catherine II. There is a small battle between Peter III's supporters and the supporters of Empress Catherine II. Catherine pretends he died of hemorrhoids, which is unlikely. -
Turkey declared war on Russia.
As a result of Catherine II's agressive foreign policies, Turkey felt the need to declare war in 1768. The vast Russian armies were easily able to defeat the Turks and claim some Turkish land for their own. -
1st partition of Poland
Poland was divided three times between Prussia, Austria, and Russia. The first partition was agreed upon on this date. Russia got the most land, but still wanted more. The next partition gave Russia more land, as did the next. Catherine II was able to annex almost an entire country with no major resistance. -
Pugachev is executed.
Emillian Pugachev, a veteran who wanted religious tolerance in Russia, pretended to be the late Peter III. He claimed he was in hiding, because Catherine II was trying to assassinate him. Pugachev is captured and executed on this date.
The Pugachev Rebellion convinced Catherine that the nobility and her army was much more important to her wellbeing than the peasants are. Catherine gives up her previous hopes of reforming Russia to have fairer laws. -
Russia declares war on Turkey.
In this war, Catherine II coordinated with the Emporer of Austria, so Turkey was attacked by two empires at once.Russia was forced to surrender, but Catherine II (a notable diplomat) managed to gain land from the treaty, signed January 9th 1792. -
Catherine II dies.
After being comatose for a while, Catherine had another seizure and died.
