| Sophie Fredericke Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst, a German princess, became known as Catherine II as the consort of Russian emperor Peter III. Because of Peter’s mismanagement of the government and mistreatment of her, Catherine organized a rebellion that overthrew him. As empress, she advanced the Western reforms begun by Peter the Great (Peter I). She corresponded with French writers Voltaire and Diderot and built elaborate palaces. However, Catherine felt threatened by the radical, more democratic reforms of the French Revolution. She continued serfdom, increased the privileges of the gentry, and brutally put down rebellions that threatened her power. |
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