Crown of Empire

Ekaterina II the Great (born Sophie Augusta) was born on 21 April, 1729 in Shtettin (now Poland). She was descended from the North-West German noble family. Her maternal uncle, Adolph Fridrikh, was the king of Sweden. Nowadays his ancestors sit on the Swedish throne.

But her parents lived in lowly obscurity. She did not receive much of an education and played with peasant children, perhaps even did the work of servants. All in all, her childhood life was definitely not that of a royal. But, being a little girl, Ekaterina showed an independent character, persistence and vivacity of mind.

In 1744 she went to Russia at the invitation of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, talented state-lady, the daughter of Peter I, as the bride of the heir to the throne, Peter Fedorovich. She was christened according to orthodox custom under the name of Ekaterina Alekseevna. During the first eight years of her marriage with Peter III there were not any matrimonial relationships between the newly-weds. Feeling a complete indifference from her husband and surrounded with evil-wishers, Ekaterina read a lot, acquainting herself with works on history, economy, jurisprudence, and the thoughts by French enlighteners; she seriously studied Russian language, the history of Russia and Russian customs. Unlike other royal ladies, Ekaterina was a hardworking person: she washed her clothes, made coffee, liked to work in the garden, skillfully embroidered and was engaged in ivory carving. But, Russian court treated Ekaterina mercilessly. The young German girl found herself in the midst of court life, with its intrigues, gossip, and flirtation.

In 1754 Catherine gave birth to a son, the future Emperor Pavel I. The newly born was taken away from his mother as state property and was shown to her only after forty days.

Meanwhile her ostentatious piety, her reasonableness, her sincere love for Russia didn't pass unnoticed and helped her to gain authority among nobility and common people. On the contrary, the behavior of Peter III excited indignation. During the period of his living in Russia, he never tried to study Russian culture or Russian history; he despised Russians and their customs. All these facts were well known and Peter III didn't enjoy authority over Russian society. The French ambassador Mr. Breteille who lived in St.-Petersburg at that time wrote in his memoirs: "the Empress is loved and respected by all people whereas Peter is hated and despised".

In 28.06.1762 Ekaterina brought about a bloodless palace revolution. She was crowned on September 22, 1762 and became an absolute monarch, as Russian monarchy had no constitution to restrain the power of the Czar.

Ekaterina's reign lasted 34 years. In all she did, she successfully tried to emulate Peter I the Great.

Ekaterina was a good psychologist, she skillfully selected co-workers and wasn't afraid of bright and talented people, so she proved more than suited to the task of ruling the largest empire in Europe.

The time of Ekaterina's rule was a time of awakening of scientific, literary, and philosophic interests in Russian society. In Ekaterina's time many special schools and new institution of higher learning were inaugurated, including military schools and the first educational institution for women — the Smolny institute. The first public library was also inaugurated at that time in St.-Petersburg. The Jesuits, who had been suppressed by the Pope and kicked out of Catholic countries, found a refuge under Ekaterina's rule: she needed them to control her Polish territories.

She was industrious, intelligent, sexy and strong-willed. She was a not only a Russian phenomena but also a phenomena of the world. Very a few countries would allow foreign born person to become a ruler not to mention a female monarch. But Russia is a country of miracles that defeats Western logic and sense.

Ekaterina died on 6 November, 1796, at the age of 67. In the period of her rule the territory of Russia considerably increased. As a result of Russian-Turkish wars (1768-1774 and (1787-1791), Russia gained access to the Black Sea that guaranteed profitable conditions for trade. The territories of Kuban, Crimea, the North coast of the Black Sea, and Georgia were joined to Russia. Population increased from 19 to 34 million people, the sum of annual revenue increased from 16 to 68 million rubles, and 144 new towns were built. The Russian Army and Fleet gained 78 brilliant victories that consolidated international authority of Russia. The words "Russia" and "Russians" were uttered with profound respect first of all by the Empress Ekaterina II the Great, who aspired to prove the exclusiveness and greatness of Russians for all her life.