Ekaterina 2 the Great, the Russian Empress of German origin, was an ambiguous person. In most articles and films, she is shown as a lover of court balls and luxurious toilets, as well as numerous favorites with whom she was once very close.
Unfortunately, few people know that she was a very smart, bright and talented organizer. And this is an indisputable fact, since the political changes that took place during the years of her reign were related to enlightened absolutism. In addition, numerous reforms that have affected the public and state life of the country are another proof of the originality of her personality.
Origin
Catherine 2, whose biography was so amazing and unusual, was born on May 2 (April 21), 1729 in Stettin, Germany. Her full name is Sophia Augusta Frederick, Princess of Anh alt-Zerbst. Her parents were Prince Christian-August of Anh alt-Zerbst and his equal in title Johanna-Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp, who was related tosuch royal houses as English, Swedish and Prussian.
The future Russian Empress was educated at home. She was taught theology, music, dance, the basics of geography and history, and, in addition to her native German, she also knew French very well. Already in early childhood, she showed her independent character, perseverance and curiosity, preferred live and outdoor games.
Marriage
In 1744, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna invited the Princess of Anh alt-Zerbst with her mother to come to Russia. Here the girl was baptized according to the Orthodox custom and began to be called Ekaterina Alekseevna. From that moment on, she received the status of the official bride of Prince Peter Fedorovich, the future Emperor Peter 3.
So, the exciting story of Catherine II in Russia began with their wedding, which took place on August 21, 1745. After this event, she received the title of Grand Duchess. As you know, her marriage was unhappy initially. Her husband Peter was at that time still an immature youth who played with soldiers instead of spending his time in the company of his wife. Therefore, the future empress was forced to entertain herself: she read for a long time, and also invented various fun.
Children of Catherine 2
While the wife of Peter 3 looked like a decent lady, the heir to the throne himself never hid, so almost the entire court knew about his romantic passions.
After five years Ekaterina2, whose biography is also known to be full of love stories, started her first romance on the side. Guards officer S. V. S altykov became her chosen one. September 20, 9 years after her marriage, she gave birth to an heir. This event became the subject of court discussions, which, however, continue to this day, but already in scientific circles. Some researchers are sure that the boy's father was actually Catherine's lover, and not her husband Peter at all. Others say that he was born of a husband. But be that as it may, the mother did not have time to take care of the child, so Elizaveta Petrovna herself took over his upbringing. Soon the future empress became pregnant again and gave birth to a girl named Anna. Unfortunately, this baby lived only 4 months.
After 1750, Catherine had a love relationship with S. Poniatowski, a Polish diplomat who later became King Stanislaw August. At the beginning of 1760, she was already with G. G. Orlov, from whom she gave birth to a third child - the son of Alexei. The boy was given the surname Bobrinsky.
I must say that due to numerous rumors and gossip, as well as the dissolute behavior of his wife, the children of Catherine 2 did not cause any warm feelings in Peter 3. The man clearly doubted his biological paternity.
Needless to say, the future empress categorically rejected all the accusations made by her husband against her. Hiding from the attacks of Peter 3, Catherine preferred to spend most of her time in her boudoir. The relationship with her husband, spoiled to the extreme, led to the fact that she became seriouslyfear for your life. She was afraid that, having come to power, Peter 3 would take revenge on her, so she began to look for reliable allies at court.
Ascension to the Throne
After the death of his mother, Peter 3 ruled the state for only 6 months. For a long time he was spoken of as an ignorant and feeble-minded ruler with many vices. But who created such an image for him? Recently, historians are increasingly inclined to believe that such an unsightly image was created by memoirs written by the organizers of the coup themselves - Catherine 2 and E. R. Dashkova.
The fact is that her husband's attitude towards her was not just bad, it was clearly hostile. Therefore, the threat of exile or even arrest looming over her served as an impetus for the preparation of a conspiracy against Peter 3. The Orlov brothers, K. G. Razumovsky, N. I. Panin, E. R. Dashkova and others helped her organize the rebellion. On July 9, 1762, Peter 3 was overthrown, and a new empress, Catherine 2, came to power. The deposed monarch was almost immediately taken to Ropsha (30 miles from St. Petersburg). He was accompanied by a guard of guards under the command of Alexei Orlov.
As you know, the story of Catherine II and, in particular, the palace coup she staged, are full of mysteries that haunt the minds of most researchers to this day. For example, the cause of the death of Peter 3 has not yet been precisely established 8 days after his overthrow. According to the official version, he died from a whole bunch of diseases caused by prolonged alcohol consumption.
Until recentlytime it was believed that Peter 3 died a violent death at the hands of Alexei Orlov. The proof of this was a certain letter written by the murderer and sent to Catherine from Ropsha. The original of this document has not been preserved, but there was only a copy allegedly taken by F. V. Rostopchin. Therefore, there is no direct evidence of the assassination of the emperor yet.
Foreign policy
I must say, Catherine the Great shared the views of Peter the Great to a large extent that Russia should take a leading position in all areas on the world stage, while pursuing an offensive and even to some extent aggressive policy. Evidence of this can serve as a break in the alliance treaty with Prussia, concluded earlier by her husband Peter 3. She took this decisive step almost immediately, as soon as she ascended the throne.
The foreign policy of Catherine the 2nd was based on the fact that she everywhere tried to elevate her henchmen to the throne. It was thanks to her that Duke E. I. Biron returned to the throne of Courland, and in 1763 her protégé, Stanislav August Poniatowski, began to rule in Poland. Such actions led to the fact that Austria began to fear an excessive increase in the influence of the northern state. Its representatives immediately began to incite Russia's old enemy - Turkey - to start a war against her. And Austria still got her way.
It can be said that the Russian-Turkish war, which lasted 6 years (from 1768 to 1774), was successful for the Russian Empire. Despite this, the internal political situation that had developed not in the best way within the country forcedCatherine 2 to seek peace. As a result, she had to restore former allied relations with Austria. And a compromise between the two countries was reached. Poland became its victim, part of whose territory in 1772 was divided between three states: Russia, Austria and Prussia.
Accession of lands and new Russian doctrine
The signing of the Kyuchuk-Kaynarji peace treaty with Turkey ensured the independence of Crimea, which was beneficial for the Russian state. In subsequent years, there was an increase in imperial influence not only on this peninsula, but also in the Caucasus. The result of this policy was the incorporation of Crimea into Russia in 1782. Soon the Treaty of St. George was signed with the king of Kartli-Kakheti, Heraclius 2, which provided for the presence of Russian troops on the territory of Georgia. Subsequently, these lands were also annexed to Russia.
Catherine 2, whose biography was inextricably linked with the history of the country, from the second half of the 70s of the 18th century, together with the then government, began to form a completely new foreign policy position - the so-called Greek project. Its ultimate goal was the restoration of the Greek, or Byzantine Empire. Its capital was to be Constantinople, and its ruler was the grandson of Catherine II, Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich.
By the end of the 70s, the foreign policy of Catherine II returned the country to its former international prestige, which was further strengthened after Russia acted as an intermediary at the Teschen Congress between Prussia and Austria. In 1787In the same year, the Empress with the Polish king and the Austrian monarch, accompanied by her courtiers and foreign diplomats, made a long journey to the Crimean peninsula. This grand event demonstrated the full military power of the Russian Empire.
Domestic policy
Most of the reforms and transformations that were carried out in Russia were as controversial as Catherine II herself. The years of her reign were marked by the maximum enslavement of the peasantry, as well as the deprivation of even the most minimal rights. It was under her that a decree appeared on the prohibition of filing a complaint against the arbitrariness of landowners. In addition, corruption flourished among the highest state apparatus and officials, and the empress herself served as an example for them, who generously presented both relatives and a large army of her admirers.
What was she like
The personal qualities of Catherine II were described by her in her own memoirs. In addition, research by historians, based on numerous documents, suggests that she was a subtle psychologist who was well versed in people. The proof of this is the fact that she selected only talented and bright people as her assistants. Therefore, her era was marked by the appearance of a whole cohort of brilliant commanders and statesmen, poets and writers, artists and musicians.
In dealing with subordinates, Ekaterina 2 was usually tactful, restrained and patient. According to her, she always carefully listened to her interlocutor, while catching everygood idea and then put it to good use. Under her, in fact, not a single noisy resignation took place, she did not exile any of the nobles, and even more so did not execute. No wonder her reign is called the "golden age" of the heyday of the Russian nobility.
Catherine 2, whose biography and personality are full of contradictions, at the same time was quite vain and valued the power she had won. In order to keep her in her hands, she was willing to compromise even to the detriment of her own convictions.
Private life
Portraits of the Empress, painted in her youth, indicate that she had a rather pleasant appearance. Therefore, it is not surprising that the numerous love affairs of Catherine 2 entered history. In truth, she could well have remarried, but in this case her title, position, and most importantly, the fullness of power, would have been jeopardized.
According to the prevailing opinion of most historians, Catherine the Great changed about twenty lovers in her entire life. Very often she presented them with a variety of valuable presents, generously distributed honors and titles, and all this in order for them to be favorable to her.
Results of the Board
I must say that historians do not undertake to unambiguously assess all the events that occurred in the Catherine era, since at that time despotism and enlightenment went hand in hand and were inextricably linked. During the years of her reign, there was everything: the development of education, culture and science, a significant strengthening of the Russianstatehood in the international arena, the development of trade relations and diplomacy. But, as with any ruler, it was not without oppression of the people, who suffered numerous hardships. Such an internal policy could not but cause another popular unrest, which grew into a powerful and full-scale uprising led by Yemelyan Pugachev.
Conclusion
In the 1860s, an idea appeared: to erect a monument to Catherine 2 in St. Petersburg in honor of her 100th anniversary of her accession to the throne. Its construction lasted 11 years, and the opening took place in 1873 on Alexandria Square. This is the most famous monument to the Empress. During the years of Soviet power, 5 of its monuments were lost. After 2000, several monuments were opened both in Russia and abroad: 2 in Ukraine and 1 in Transnistria. In addition, in 2010, a statue appeared in Zerbst (Germany), but not to Empress Catherine 2, but to Sophia Frederick Augusta, Princess of Anh alt-Zerbst.
