Ekaterina 2 in the history of the Russian Empire - it is not just one of the rulers of a huge state, is an epoch, an exceptional phenomenon.If there have been many reforms and conquests.Russia Catherine's time - it is a great power, to apply for world hegemony.
What we often hear of Catherine the Great?
ungrateful descendants.Perhaps that is why "the most interesting" facts about Catherine 2 relate, as a rule, some heinous details of her personal life, a part of the ridiculous, concocted by evil tongues.
average man in the street "knows" that it was the power-loving woman, brutal (a husband killed, serdeshnogo), and even depraved, too.Numerous lovers Catherine 2, the first of which recalls Gregory Potemkin, have long been a byword.Attributed to her, and wild orgies, drawing a sort of Russian Empress Messalina, but is nothing more than fiction, no confirmation of such insinuations does not exist.
novels and favorites
Romanov, of course, she had many.Before the removal from power of Paul III, in the early 50s, she managed to bring the Saltykov, an officer of the Guards.When in 1754 was born the future Emperor Paul I, there were persistent rumors that his father was not a Russian autocrat.However, there is no evidence for this.
must say that lovers of Catherine 2 changed quite often.Five years after beginning an affair with Saltykov Empress tenderly friends with Poniatowski, the future king of Poland.Even after half a decade in the early '60s, he became her lover Grigory Orlov, who eventually helped her to seize power.
failed marriages - a coup
with her husband, Peter III, Catherine relations did not develop.Much has been written about the fact that the Russian emperor was a man flighty and immature, and according to some sources, it was purely medical problems with the psyche.His wife, he did not put in anything, openly lived with his favorite, Vorontsova, and in 1762 the circumstances for legitimate spouses evolved autocrat threatening way: she is constantly afraid of deportation or even death.
Partly coup that made autocratic future Empress Catherine 2, was a pre-emptive strike from the series "or I him, and he gave me."I must say that Peter III did not use especial popularity.When proclaimed Empress Catherine (it happened in the barracks Izmailovsky) St. Petersburg exploded with delight.Still, the identity of Catherine 2 was captivating: undeniably clever, restrained, educated woman, it is better to combine the throne than her odious husband.
coup timed to the absence of the emperor, who went (unfortunately for themselves) to Oranienbaum.After learning about the antics of the couple, Peter III was trying to reason with her, but freshly baked Catherine 2 and did not want to think about the negotiations.King was forced to abdicate the throne - and yesterday the Prussian Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica became the sole huge country.
wise caution
However, it is hardly fair to talk about absolute power: Catherine was compelled to act cautiously, with an eye on the environment.The end trying to live on their own, with no one believing she knew firsthand how it is, this could and leave.
Empress absolutely not trying to quarrel with anyone, and if we look interesting facts about Catherine 2, then be sure to mention that to any of her lovers she quarreled three sheets.If it does not persecuted yesterday's favorites, was not told of the disgrace.Her style of communication with citizens can not but admire: the Empress was tactful, consistency, adjust to the interlocutor.
Brilliant environment
said that the king does suite.From this perspective, Catherine 2 equal rulers never been to Russia.It's like no one else knew how to appreciate the ability of people around her.Not in vain the reign of Catherine the 2 marked the emergence of a number of prominent public figures.Truly talented man Empress could forgive a lot.
striking example is its relationship with the magnificent Alexander Suvorov, who, as we know, his words would not climb in a sense, was rather quarrelsome nonconformist.As far as the Empress was able to speak the same language with his great subjects, it shows a brief correspondence that followed the triumphant capture of the legendary commander of Warsaw.The lucky winner, void sumnyashesya, wrote to his lady: "Hurrah!Warsaw ours "- and received an equally laconic answer:" Hurrah!Field Marshal Suvorov! ยป
Age of Enlightenment and serfdom
Sometimes we have to read about that all educational attempts Catherine, her flirting with Voltaire and other liberal stuff no more than a bluff.What it actually contributed to the strengthening of serfdom, finally enslaving already unhappy peasants.It is unlikely that this view is valid, because in defense of the "accused" say some very interesting facts about Catherine 2. For example, the one in front of her on the map Russia emerged more than two hundred cities, and the population has increased by a third (over 10 million).
Archival Catherine showed numerous reflections on the theme of the abolition of serfdom, the various embodiments of this reform, but this was not to be.
Taking into account the interests of
Before condemning the empress, should, however, remember that such "innovations" are unlikely to be met raptures among the Russian landowners, and the quarrel with the powerful nobles Empress did not want to, because the power of it was based on their supportand she tried once again not to anger its powerful subjects.
the reign of Catherine 2 is not in vain called "the golden age of the nobility": Grand Empress issued a letters patent nobility, enshrines class privileges, and treat their "subordinates" very carefully and tactfully.It is known, for example, that the Empress had a very short temper, but has learned to curb his passion and had never taken a hasty decision, waiting for the anger subsides.
Perhaps the only influential estate affected by Catherine was Orthodox clergy.Empress thoroughly "shaken" holy abode for tax-free land and transferred the monastery serfs in the status of the state (and thus, as is commonly believed, significantly facilitate their participation, which is nothing less than two million people).
achievements and successes
humanitarian policy in times of Catherine 2 was at the height of (especially considering the level of development of natural law in the world).This is evidenced by at least the fact that for the time of her reign was executed by only one person.But there was hardly anyone refuses to understand the Russian autocrat, because it turned out to be unhappy Emelyan Pugachev, declaring himself a "miracle survivor" Emperor Peter III and Catherine delivered the barrel full of trouble in the form of large-scale peasant uprising.What-what, and the power of the Empress was not going to share.
She ruled his country wisely as possible, constantly worrying about her prosperity, strengthening the Russian position on the world stage.In favor of this thesis say many interesting facts about Catherine 2, because the number of industrial enterprises through its reform doubled to Empire joined Crimea, great success has been achieved in the Caucasus.Foreign policy was the empress offensive that greatly unnerved some European powers.
milestone
entire career of this great woman says that she was guided primarily mind - a very remarkable, flexible, devoid of prejudice.How strong and open fresh trends was the identity of Catherine 2, shows the history of vaccination against smallpox, which made her the Empress and her son (the heir to, among other things, to the throne).It was a truly courageous act, which became one of the steps towards total destruction of a terrible disease, mow once entire cities.
Special mention deserves the empress and religious tolerance: if it did not pursue other faiths, Buddhists and grateful even proclaimed it one of the manifestations of White Tara (whatever that means).
thus replicating greasy information about Catherine 2, the authors of dirty insinuations show only their ignorance.For its time, it was truly a great ruler, did a lot for Russia.Its undeniable achievements and flaws - are greatly exaggerated.
