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Catherine the Great Timeline

(1762 - 1796)

Catherine the Great was the longest-ruling female leader in Russian history. She expanded the Russian Empire, modernized the country, and implemented numerous reforms. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Reforms

Accession to the throne

Jul 9, 1762

Catherine the Great seizes power in a coup, overthrowing her husband, Peter III, and becomes the Empress of Russia.

Image source: Catherine the Great

Accession to the throne

Commission on the Legislative Code

1767

Catherine the Great forms a commission to create a unified legislative code, leading to the publication of the "Nakaz" or "Instruction" in 1767.

Charter of the Nobility

Jul 18, 1785

Catherine the Great issues the Charter of the Nobility, granting privileges and autonomy to the Russian nobility while solidifying their loyalty to the crown.

Death of Catherine the Great

Nov 17, 1796

Catherine the Great passes away, ending her reign as Empress of Russia and leaving behind a legacy of reforms and territorial expansion.

Cultural and Intellectual Developments

Founding of the Hermitage Museum

1764

Catherine the Great establishes the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, which becomes one of the world's most renowned art and cultural institutions.

Image source: Hermitage Museum

Founding of the Hermitage Museum

Instruction for the Commission on National Education

1769

Catherine the Great issues the Instruction for the Commission on National Education, promoting education and cultural development throughout the Russian Empire.

Image source: Nakaz

Instruction for the Commission on National Education

Wars and Expansion

First Partition of Poland

Aug 5, 1772

Catherine the Great, along with Austria and Prussia, orchestrates the First Partition of Poland, annexing significant territories and weakening Poland-Lithuania.

Image source: Partitions of Poland

First Partition of Poland

Pugachev's Rebellion

1773 - 1775

A large-scale peasant uprising led by Cossack Yemelyan Pugachev challenges Catherine the Great's rule, threatening the stability of the Russian Empire.

Image source: Pugachev's Rebellion

Pugachev's Rebellion

Annexation of Crimea

1783

Catherine the Great incorporates Crimea into the Russian Empire, expanding its southern territories and gaining control over the strategic Black Sea region.

Image source: Annexation of the Crimean Khanate by the Russian Empire

Annexation of Crimea

Russo-Turkish War

1787 - 1792

Catherine the Great leads Russia in a successful war against the Ottoman Empire, resulting in territorial gains and increased Russian influence in Eastern Europe.

Image source: Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792)

Russo-Turkish War

Second Partition of Poland

Jan 23, 1793

Catherine the Great, along with Prussia and Austria, carries out the Second Partition of Poland, further diminishing Polish independence.

Third Partition of Poland

Oct 24, 1795

Catherine the Great, along with Prussia and Austria, executes the Third Partition of Poland, effectively erasing Poland from the map and dividing its remaining territories.

Foreign Relations

Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainarji

Jul 21, 1774

Russia signs the Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainarji with the Ottoman Empire, expanding Russian influence in the Black Sea region and securing territorial gains.

Treaty of Jassy

Jan 9, 1792

Russia signs the Treaty of Jassy with the Ottoman Empire, ending the Russo-Turkish War and securing territorial gains in the Black Sea region.

Image source: Treaty of Jassy

Treaty of Jassy

Key Facts

  1. Catherine the Great was born as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg in Prussia.
  2. She married Peter III, who became tsar of Russia, in 1745.
  3. Catherine staged a coup to overthrow her husband and took the throne in 1762.
  4. During her reign, Catherine expanded the Russian Empire through successful military campaigns.
  5. Catherine implemented various reforms to modernize Russia, including educational, legal, and administrative reforms.

Source

This Catherine the Great timeline was generated with the help of AI using information found on the internet.

We strive to make these timelines as accurate as possible, but occasionally inaccurates slip in. If you notice anything amiss, let us know at [email protected] and we'll correct it for future visitors.

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