Catherine II (the Great) 1

Background info Born Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst Married Peter III Ruled 1761-96 2

The “bloodless” coup When Peter traveled to Prussia, Catherine, with the help of the palace guard, overthrew him. Three days later, Peter dies, and many accuse Catherine, who also murdered two other claimants to the throne. 3

From Peter I to Catherine II Peter I (the Great) Catherine I (2nd wife of Peter I) Peter II (son of Peter and Catherine) Anna (daughter of Peter I’s half brother Ivan V) Ivan VI (Adopted son of Anna- less than one yr old, overthrown by Elisabeth) Elisabeth (2nd oldest daughter of Peter and Catherine) Peter III (son of Anna) marries Catherine Catherine allegedly murders Peter III to take the throne 4

Russo-Turkish War Catherine made Russia the dominant power in south-eastern Europe after her first Russo-Turkish War against the Ottoman Empire. The Russian victories allowed Catherine's government to obtain access to the Black Sea. 5

Relations with Europe From 1788 to 1790, Russia fought the Russo-Swedish War against Sweden, started by Catherine's cousin, the King Gustav III of Sweden. After Denmark declared war on Sweden in 1788, they helped Russia defeat them. 6

Relations with…Japan? In 1792, the Russian government dispatched a trade-mission to Japan. The Tokugawa government received the mission, but negotiations failed and formal trade relations between the two countries did not come about until 1858. 7

Art & Culture Called herself a “philosopher on throne” Embraced the Enlightenment Expanded the arts Wrote a manual for educating young children Invited many scientists to Russia Allowed Diderot to finish his Encyclopedia in Russia 8

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