much to transform Russia into a modern country. Originally named Sophie

Fredericke Augusta, she was born in Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland), on May

2, 1729, the daughter of the German prince of Anhalt-Zerbst. At the age of

15 she went to Russia to become the wife of Peter, nephew and heir of

Elizabeth died on Dec. 25, 1761, and Catherine's husband succeeded as

PETER III. The new ruler soon made himself unpopular, especially with

certain army officers. Led by Aleksei ORLOV (whose brother Grigori was

Catherine's lover), the officers staged a coup in June 1762. Peter was

deposed (and subsequentle murdered), and Catherine became absolute ruler of

the largest European empire, whose language she never learned to speak

At the age of 33, Catherine was not only a handsome woman (whose

numerous love affairs dominate the popular accounts of her life), but also

unusually well read and deeply involved in the cultural trends of her age.

She was a tireless worker and knew how to select capable assistants--for

measures, which in turn alienated many of the educated.

To learn the needs of the country and to gain popularity, Catherine in

Legend (1989); Cronin, Vincent, Catherine, Empress of All the

granary of Europe. Catherine also participated in the partitions of Poland

the Cossacks into the regular army, and put the serfs belonging to the

over social and cultural policy, viewed these activities with suspicion.

which she wrote the guidelines--the Nakaz, or Instruction). Not much came

successful wars against Turkey (the RUSSO-TURKISH WARS of 1768-74 and

succeeded to a degree with the upper classes, but did nothing for the

Some common words found in the essay are:
Grigori Catherine's, Unlike Peter, Europe Catherine, Academy Sciences, Yemelian PUGACHEV, Black Sea, Russian Orthodox, Petersburg Moscow, Szczecin Poland, Economic Society, catherine empress, black sea, catherine trans, local administration,
Approximate Word count = 796
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)