Catherine II: biography of the Empress. Russian history

Ambiguous personality was Catherine II Great - Russian empress of German origin. 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 once had a very close relationship.

Unfortunately, few know that she was a very smart, bright and talented organizer. And this is an indisputable fact, since the political changes that occurred during her reign were related to enlightened absolutism. In addition, the numerous reforms affecting the public and state life of the country are another proof of the extraordinary nature of her personality.

Origin

Catherine II, whose biography was so surprising and unusual, was born on May 2 (April 21) in 1729 in German Stettin. Her full name is Sofia Augusta Frederica, Princess Anhalt-Zerbstskaya. Her parents were Prince Christian-August Anhalt-Zerbstsky and equal to him by the title of Johanna-Elizabeth Holstein-Gottorp, who lived in kinship with such royal houses as English, Swedish and Prussian.

The future Russian Empress was educated at home. She was taught theology, music, dances, the basics of geography and history, and, besides her native German, she also knew French well. Already in her early childhood she showed her independent character, perseverance and curiosity, she preferred living and moving games.

Marriage

In 1744, the Empress Elizaveta Petrovna invited the princess Anhalt-Zerbstskaya together with her mother to come to Russia. Here the girl was christened according to Orthodox custom and began to be called Catherine Alekseevna. From that moment she received the status of the official bride of Prince Peter Fedorovich, the future Emperor Peter 3.

So, the exciting history of Catherine 2 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 from the beginning. Her husband Peter was at that time still an immature young man 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 amusements.

Children of Catherine 2

While the wife of Peter the Great had the appearance of a decent lady, the heir to the throne never hid himself, so he knew almost the entire courtyard of his romantic attachments.

After five years, Catherine II, whose biography, as is known, was also full of love stories, started her first novel on the side. Her chosen one was Guards Officer S. V. Saltykov. On September 20, nine 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 academia. Some researchers are sure that the father of the boy was in reality a lover of Catherine, and not her husband Peter. Others say that he was born of a husband. But anyway, the mother did not have time to engage in a child, so Elizaveta Petrovna herself took up the education. Soon the future empress again became pregnant and gave birth to a girl named Anna. Unfortunately, this child lived only 4 months.

After 1750, Catherine was bound by love ties with S. Poniatowski, a Polish diplomat who later became King Stanislaw August. In the beginning of 1760 she was already with GG Orlov, from whom she gave birth to the third child, Alexei's son. The boy was given the name Bobrinsky.

I must say that because of numerous rumors and gossips, as well as dissolute behavior of the spouse, the children of Catherine II did not evoke any warm feelings for Peter 3. The man clearly doubted his biological paternity.

Needless to say, the future Empress categorically rejected all the charges put forward by her husband against her. Hiding from the attacks of Peter 3, Catherine spent most of her time in her boudoir. Damaged to an extreme relationship with her husband led to the fact that she seriously began to fear for her life. She was afraid that, having come to power, Peter 3 would avenge her, so she began to look for reliable allies at court.

Accession to the throne

After the death of his mother, Peter 3 ruled the state for only 6 months. For a long time they spoke of him as an ignorant and feeble-minded ruler with a multitude of vices. But who created such an image for him? Recently, historians are increasingly inclined to think that such an unsightly image was created by memoirs written by the organizers of the coup themselves - Catherine II and ER 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 threatening her served as an impetus to plotting against Peter III. Orlovs, KG Razumovsky, NI Panin, ER Dashkova and others helped organize the mutiny. July 9, 1762 Peter 3 was overthrown, and the new empress Catherine II came to power. The lowered monarch was almost immediately taken to Ropsha (30 miles from St. Petersburg). He was accompanied by a guards guard under the command of Alexei Orlov.

As you know, the history of Catherine II and, in particular, the palace revolution that she arranged , are full of mysteries that excite the minds of most researchers to this day. For example, until now precisely the cause of Peter's death 3 is not established 8 days after his overthrow. According to the official version, he died from a whole bunch of diseases caused by prolonged use of alcohol.

Until recently, it was believed that Peter 3 died a violent death at the hands of Alexei Orlov. A proof of this was a letter written by a murderer and sent to Catherine from Ropsha. The original of this document was not preserved, but there was only a copy allegedly filmed by FV Rostopchin. Therefore, there is no direct evidence of the murder of the emperor.

Foreign policy

I must say that Catherine II the Great in many ways shared the views of Peter 1 on the fact that Russia on the world stage should take the leading positions in all directions, while leading an offensive and even to some extent aggressive policy. This can be proved by the rupture of the allied treaty with Prussia, concluded earlier by her husband Peter 3. She took this decisive step almost as soon as she entered the throne.

The foreign policy of Catherine II was based on the fact that she everywhere tried to elevate her proteges to the throne. It was thanks to her that Duke EI Biron returned to the throne of Courland, and in 1763 in Poland began to rule her protege - Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Such actions led to the fact that Austria began to fear excessive strengthening of the influence of the northern state. Its representatives immediately began to incite the long-standing enemy of Russia - Turkey - to start a war against it. And Austria still got it.

We can say 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 prevailing in the interior of the country forced Catherine 2 to seek peace. As a result, she had to restore former allied relations with Austria. And a compromise between the two countries was achieved. Its victim was Poland, part of the territory of which in 1772 was divided between three states: Russia, Austria and Prussia.

The annexation of lands and the new Russian doctrine

The signing of the Kyuchuk-Kainarji world with Turkey ensured the independence of the Crimea, 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 inclusion in Russia in 1782 of the Crimea. Soon was signed and Georgievsky tract with the king of Kartli-Kakheti Irakli 2, which provided for the presence of Russian troops in the territory of Georgia. Subsequently, these lands were also annexed to Russia.

Catherine II, whose biography was inherently linked to the history of the country, began to form an entirely new foreign policy position, the so-called Greek project, from the second half of the seventies of the 18th century, together with the then government. Its ultimate goal was the restoration of the Greek, or Byzantine Empire. Its capital was to become Constantinople, and its ruler was the grandson of Catherine the Great, Prince Konstantin Pavlovich.

By the end of the 1970s, Catherine's foreign policy 2 returned the country's former international authority, which was further strengthened after Russia mediated at the Teschen Congress between Prussia and Austria. In 1787, the Empress with the Polish king and Austrian monarch, accompanied by her courtiers and foreign diplomats, made a long trip to the Crimean peninsula. This grandiose event demonstrated the entire military power of the Russian Empire.

Domestic policy

Most of the reforms and reforms that were carried out in Russia were as contradictory as Catherine's. The years of her rule are marked by the maximum enslavement of the peasantry, and also by the deprivation of even the most minimal rights. It was with her that a decree was issued banning the filing of a complaint about the arbitrariness of landlords. In addition, corruption prevailed among the highest state apparatus and officials, and the empress herself served as an example for them, which generously endowed both relatives and a large army of its admirers.

What was she like?

The personal qualities of Catherine II were described by her in her own memoirs. In addition, studies of historians, based on numerous documents, suggest that she was a subtle psychologist who was well versed in people. The proof of this can be the fact that she selected only talented and bright people for help. Therefore, its era is marked by the emergence of a whole cohort of brilliant generals and statesmen, poets and writers, artists and musicians.

In communicating with her subordinates, Catherine II was usually tactful, reserved and patient. According to her, she always listened attentively to her interlocutor, catching every sensible thought, and then used it for good. With her, virtually no noisy resignation took place, she did not exile any of the nobles and, moreover, did not execute. It's not for nothing that her reign is called the "golden age" of the heyday of the Russian nobility.

Catherine II, whose biography and personality is full of contradictions, was at the same time quite vain and highly valued by the conquered government. In order to keep it in her hands, she was ready to compromise even to the detriment of her own convictions.

Personal life

The portraits of the empress, written during her youth, indicate that she had a rather pleasant appearance. Therefore, it is not surprising that the story included the many amorous romances of Catherine 2. To tell the truth, she could quite remarry, but in this case her title, position, and, most importantly, the fullness of power, would be jeopardized.

According to the prevailing opinion of most historians, in her entire life Catherine the Great changed about twenty lovers. Very often she presented them with a variety of valuable presents, generously distributed honors and titles, all for the sake of being favorable to her.

Results of the Board

I must say that historians do not undertake to unequivocally assess all the events that occurred in the Catherine's epoch, since at that time despotism and enlightenment went hand in hand and were inextricably linked. In the years of her reign was everything: the development of education, culture and science, a significant strengthening of Russian statehood in the international arena, the development of trade relations and diplomacy. But, as with any ruler, there has been no oppression of the people, who suffered many hardships. Such domestic policy could not but cause another popular unrest, which grew into a powerful and full-scale insurrection led by Emelian Pugachev.

Conclusion

In 1860, an idea appeared: to erect a monument to Catherine II in St. Petersburg in honor of her 100-year accession to the throne. Its construction lasted 11 years, and the opening took place in 1873 in Alexandria Square. This is the most famous monument to the Empress. During the years of Soviet power, five of its monuments were lost. After 2000, several monuments were opened in Russia and abroad: 2 in Ukraine and 1 in Transnistria. In addition, in 2010, in Zerbst (Germany), a statue appeared, but not to Empress Catherine II, but to Sofia Frederica Augustus, Princess Anhalt-Zerbst.