( May 2, November 6, 1796)

 Helped set the foundations for the Russian westerniztion in the 19 th &20 th century  Known for her intelligence and ambitions to rule the Russian empire  Expanded the empire through the polish civil war and victory over the ottoman empire  Imported many great works in literature, art and print from western Europe  Helped expand education and culture throughout the empire  Known for her love affairs

Catherine the great established the Hermitage Museum in1764. She was the patron of the arts and brought literature and education to the Hermitage Museum. She brought an art collection to the museum which can be seen to this day.

Catherine the great was born in Stettin, Prussia (Szczecin, Poland) on May 2, 1729.

Peter III of Russia was the first husband of Catherine the Great. He was ruler of Russia for a short time until he was assassinated. Catherine later succeeded to the throne.

Catherine’s son Paul took over the empire after his mother died of a stroke in He was later assassinated in 1801.

This statue was made for Catherine in1789 by Fedot Shubin.

 Atchison, Bob. Alexander Palace Time Machine. “Catherine II”, 2013, 2 Jan 2013  Bokova, Yulia. Russiapedia. “ Catherine II the great” 2005, 2 Jan 2013  Toscani, Melissa. Prof. Pavalac’s Women’s History Site “ Empress Catherine II the great of Russia” Nov 2000, 2 Jan 2013.