Catherine the Great

Empress of Russia, Westernization advocate

Catherine the Great - Empress of Russia, Westernization advocate
Born

May 2nd, 1729
296 years ago

Died

November 17th, 1796
228 years ago — 67 years old

Category

Leaders & Politicians

Country

Russia

Links & References

Catherine the Great ascended to the throne of Russia in 1762 after a coup d'état against her husband, Emperor Peter III. During her reign, she expanded the Russian Empire significantly, establishing a powerful and influential state. She implemented a series of reforms aimed at modernizing Russia's administration and economy, inspired by Enlightenment ideas. Patron of the arts, she founded the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens, the first state-financed higher education institution for women. Catherine also engaged in foreign affairs, promoting territorial expansion through successful military campaigns against the Ottoman Empire and Poland.

Expansion of the Russian Empire

Implementation of administrative reforms

Patronage of the arts and education

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