The significance of Catherine II for Russian history is so important that it can be compared with Peter I, nicknamed the Great. The accession of new lands to the empire, the expansion of the strategic and economic capabilities of the state, impressive military victories achieved by skill, but not by numbers at sea and on land, new cities that have become outposts of Russia in the south - this is just a short and incomplete list of the achievements of this outstanding ruler. But it is enough to understand why Catherine II was called the Great.
Determination that manifested itself in the most difficult moments, the ability to take risks and even commit crimes, if necessary, to achieve a serious goal - these qualities, turned to the benefit of Russia, were part of her character.
The biography of Catherine the Great began in 1729. The genus from whichFrederick happened, was noble, but not rich. And Fike, as she was called at home, would have been one of the many European noblewomen whose fates have sunk into oblivion due to their mediocrity, if not for the palace coup in Russia. In 1741, Elizaveta Petrovna came to power, and she was the aunt of Peter Holstein, the future Emperor Peter III, grandson of Peter I, betrothed to Frederica.
They were destined to get married, although they did not feel sympathy for each other. Neither the groom nor the bride shone with external beauty.
The name "Catherine" was acquired by the future empress after the rite of Orthodox baptism. The German Frederika not only changed her religious confession, she sincerely wanted to become Russian, and she succeeded. She learned the language to perfection, although until her last days she spoke with a slight accent.
There are several versions of the answer to the question: "Why was Catherine 2 called the Great even when she did not fully prove herself as a statesman?"
Unsuccessful family life, especially its intimate side, forced both spouses to seek comfort on the side. The aristocrat S altykov, then the gentry Poniatowski, became Catherine's lovers with the tacit permission of her husband, who granted his wife freedom, without depriving her, however, of herself. Then it was the turn of Orlov, a brave man and a daredevil.
In 1761, Empress Elizabeth died, and the question arose of who would rule Russia. Peter III was by no means that infantile and narrow-minded teenage man, as he was described innumerous works of art. Having mastered the science of government, he could well be king, at least in such a calm country as the empire was in the Elizabethan era. However, one of the reasons why Catherine 2 was called the Great was precisely that she was not satisfied with the situation in which everything was going according to the thumb. An idea of a conspiracy ripened in her head, as a result of which Peter III abdicated the throne, and was later killed.
The iron grip of the Empress allowed her to severely suppress the Pugachev rebellion, win the war with Turkey, resolve the Polish issue, conclude foreign policy alliances beneficial for the country and deal with enemies.
The Golden Age is the period when Catherine the Great ruled Russia. The biography of the individual and the history of the country are intertwined and form a single whole.
The expansion of the empire's borders to the south, the accession to it of fertile lands and harbors favorable for the creation of ports ensured foreign trade turnover and food abundance. The victory of Ushakov's squadron in the Chesme Bay, the capture of the Crimean Peninsula, Bessarabia, the defeat of the Turks at Rymnik, the foundation of such cities as Odessa, Kherson, Nikolaev, Ovidiopol and other outposts of Russia on the southern borders - all these facts eloquently explain why Catherine 2 was called the Great.
