July 9, 1762

On this day in history in 1762 Catherine the Great assumed power as the new empress of Russia.

Peter III and Catherine the Great, husband and wife

Catherine the Great's Rise to Power

Catherine the Great was not actually born 'Catherine,' her real name was Sophie when she was born in a Kingdom of Prussia in 1729. She is reported to have been a tomboy growing up and even trained herself in using the sword. She married the future tsar of Russia, Peter III, who also happened to be her cousin. The goal was to strengthen the ties between Prussia and Russia. She arrived in Russia in 1744 and immediately applied herself to learning the language and customs of her new country. She married just one year later. Their marriage was troubled from an early time yielding from their differing political views and political allies. She came to power after overthrowing her husband with the help of co-conspirators. She also gave an impassioned speech to soldiers of the Imperial Russian Army asking them to protect her during the coup, which they did. Only eight days after the coup Peter III died, likely by assassination but the actual cause is unknown.

An Empress' Reign

Catherine the Great

Catherine II was officially crowned the new empress of Russia on September 22, 1762. During her reign she extended the borders of the Russian Empire by 200,000 sq. mi. She also created a commercial treaty with Great Britain. In turn she was responsible for not only increasing her country's physical size but for ushering them into the political and cultural life of Europe.