In Chinese history, there are three women who have been called emperors, Wu Zetian, Chen Shuozhen, and The Yuan maidens of the Northern Wei Emperor, of course, the most famous is probably only the Zetiannu Emperor. But in the history of Europe, there was a "arrogant" tsarina who once said: "If I can live to be two hundred years old, all of Europe will crawl at my feet!" This was the only empress of the Russian monarchy era to be given the title of "Emperor", Catherine the Great.
Netmap intrusion and deletion
She was an unattainable presence in the Russian Romanov dynasty. Catherine was not the ordained ruler, but became the most prominent monarch. And this road, she walked quite difficult.
Catherine was born in 1729 in the Kingdom of Prussia. At that time, she was not called by this name, but by Sofia. Her parents were both from the small principalities of Prussia, one was a prince and the other was a princess, and they were prominent. But in fact, both families have been lost, and there is no power or property. The future marriage of their daughters has become a glimmer of hope for them to return to the ranks of the powerful.
At that time, in addition to the expanding Kingdom of Prussia, Russia was also a dominant presence. Frederick II, King of Prussia at the time, was bent on unifying Germany and desperately needed an ally. Coincidentally, Empress Elizabeth of Tsarist Russia is also choosing a marriage partner for her heir, her 15-year-old nephew Peter. As a result, the two countries hit it off.
Frederick II picked the 14-year-old Sofia and soon sent her to Russia. In order to gain Russian approval, Sofia converted to Orthodoxy and changed her name to Catherine, and after her engagement to Peter, she moved into St. Petersburg as a "princess". However, a purely political marriage does not make two young people fall in love at first sight.
Catherine, 14 years old, aristocratic maiden
In the ten days of our first meeting, every time he saw me and my mother, Peter always seemed very happy. I realized that he had no interest in the country he was destined to rule. He was very childish and I listened in silence. It earned me his trust.
Peter, 15, Crown Prince of Russia
Catherine, glad you showed up! I was so stuffy that I finally had someone my age around who could speak freely.
Tell you what, I'm in love! This girl was the daughter of the Empress's attendant. She's so charming! I promised to marry her. But her mother made a mistake and was sent to Siberia by the Empress. The Empress is my aunt, and she will not allow me to marry the daughter of a sinner! It's heartbreaking. No way, the Empress wants me to marry you. I can only be obedient. After all, I didn't dare to disobey the Empress's orders.
Catherine, 14 years old, aristocratic maiden
Netmap intrusion and deletion
I blushed as I listened as he poured out his secrets, thanking him for trusting me so much, but in my heart, I was shocked by his indiscretion and lack of judgment. Peter's stupidity and dullness had caused me, his future wife, harm without him knowing it.
In August 1745, at the age of 16, Catherine and Peter held what they called "the most magnificent wedding ever held in all of Europe" at the Russian court. However, the new marriage did not bring any feeling of happiness to Catherine.
For many years after marriage, Catherine remained a virgin. Peter, on the other hand, was constantly in cahoots, openly pursuing other women, raising mistresses, and "dancing with knives and guns" with female attendants. Moreover, he even instigated Catherine to flirt with other men. Disheartened, Catherine also accepted her husband's "enthusiastic offers" and occasionally enjoyed herself with young and handsome nobles.
However, as future emperors and empresses, Peter and Catherine must also perform their duties. When Catherine was 25 years old, she finally gave birth to her eldest son, Paul. But her titular mother-in-law, Empress Elizabeth, "stole" Paul's custody and did not allow Catherine to take care of her personally.
During the time when she was snubbed by her husband and her children were not by her side, reading became the only way for Catherine to dissolve her loneliness. From Tacitus's Chronicle to Montesquieu's On the Spirit of the Law and Voltaire's Treatise on Customs, she read many historical and philosophical books.
The year after giving birth to the child, Catherine met the 23-year-old Polish handsome boy, Poniatowski. As an envoy, he could speak six Chinese and was able to speak eloquently, and Catherine fell in love with him almost at first sight. Similarly, Poniatowski fell in love. In order to be able to accompany Catherine, he found various reasons to live in Russia for a full year and a half. During this time, Catherine also bore him a daughter, but unfortunately, the child died at the age of one.
Netmap intrusion and deletion
Peter didn't care about his wife's infidelity. Even if he stood face to face with his wife's lover, he could joke shamelessly.
Peter, 30, Crown Prince of Russia, joked
Count Poniatowski, tell me honestly, have you slept with my wife? If you tell the truth, then everything is easy to say, if you don't confess honestly, you must have bitter fruit to eat.
Poniatowski, 26, is a Polish minister
Your Excellency, Your Excellency, what have I not done, what have you asked me to say?
Peter
Rest assured, I've already spoken to Catherine. She doesn't care about my mistress, and I don't care about her mistress.
Count Poniatowski, why didn't you confide in me from the very beginning, are you a fool? If you were honest with me, where would all this mess be? Well, we've become good friends. I think someone should miss you a lot at this point. Catherine, come in! I handed him over to you! I hope I make everyone happy.
Catherine
Netmap intrusion and deletion
Peter, you should still arrange for our Polish friend to remain in Russia.
Peter
No problem, I'll write right away. I think you don't need me anymore, and as for you, Count Poniatowski, you're willing to stay in this room as long as you want.
Peter didn't care at all that the scandal was made public, and almost everyone knew about it. However, his aunt, Empress Elizabeth, was furious and immediately sent Poniatowski back to Poland. However, there was never a shortage of new lovers in the court. Soon, Catherine had a new lover, a tall and handsome General of the Guards Orlov, who was five years younger than her. And her husband Peter, the relationship is still cold.
Contrary to their relationship, the situation in Europe at that time was the situation. Russia did not ally with Prussia, but chose to fight Prussia with Austria. War raged across the continent, and to a large extent, Catherine fell prey to the marriage between the two countries.
But Peter was not on the same side as his country. He openly stated that if he ascended the throne, he would end the war with Prussia and unite with Prussia to attack Austria, Russia's present ally. Even more outrageous is that Peter admired King Frederick II of Prussia, and he revealed all the battle plans of the Russian high command to Frederick II.
In 1762, Empress Elizabeth passed away and Crown Prince Peter ascended the throne as Peter III. He immediately declared an armistice, first alienating Russia's former allies, humiliating the Orthodox Church, and then flattering the ministers sent by Prussia. There was an uproar across Europe. At this time, Catherine gave birth to her and her lover Orlov's child.
Netmap intrusion and deletion
Peter III became increasingly arrogant after ascending the throne, and on several occasions publicly stated that he would divorce Catherine and marry his mistress. Their conjugal relationship has reached the point of being in a state of flux. In response, Catherine decided to preemptively attack.
In June 1762, Peter III, who had been on the throne for half a year, left the palace for a vacation according to the itinerary. What he did not expect was that as soon as he left on his front foot, Catherine gathered a large number of court officials and launched a coup d'état. Among them is Count Razumovsky, president of the Academy of Sciences. At this moment, he was facing the director of the printing department of the Academy of Sciences, giving orders.
Count Kirillo Razumovsky, 50 years old, President of the Russian Academy of Sciences
I want you to print a proclamation to the whole nation declaring that Peter III had abdicated the throne and that Catherine would succeed him. Peter III committed treason, and we need a wiser Tsar for the sake of Russia's national interests. Now, your life, my life, is all in danger, do as I say!"
Subsequently, Catherine also gave a speech to the Guards.
Catherine, 33, Empress Peter III
Dear Guards, your tsars have now betrayed our country, your dead brothers and sisters, your bloody battles, your trust and love. He hated me for opposing him and wanted to divorce me and marry his mistress. My life and Prince Paul's life were threatened. For the sake of my beloved country, and the sacred Orthodox Church in everyone's heart, not my personal interests, I had to beg for the protection of the Guards. Only then will our country have hope!
Gregory Orlov, 27, senior general of the Guards, Ekaterina's lover (multiple in unison)
We are willing to pledge allegiance to Empress Catherine to the death!
Netmap intrusion and deletion
Escorted by the Guards, Catherine made her way to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. The Archbishop solemnly announced that Catherine would succeed to the throne as Catherine II, and at the same time, make her eldest son Paul crown prince. With the approval of the religious leaders, Catherine went to parliament and the Holy Assembly to issue her inauguration as empress.
Catherine II, 33 years old, Russian Tsarina
At a time when the country and the Orthodox faith were at stake, loyal subjects had clearly expressed their intentions. Now, under the protection of Providence, in order to free Russia from its shameful dependence on foreign powers, I am compelled to make concessions to my subjects—to ascend to the throne, to lead the Russian people, to expel the traitors of our country, to lead the country to prosperity and strength.
By the evening, Catherine had taken control of the army, parliament, holy assembly, and various administrative bodies. At this moment, she decided to personally arrest her husband, who was still unaware. Peter III had to write a declaration of abdication:
Peter III, 34 years old, deposed Russian Tsar, was very decadent
I must confess that I have no capacity to govern the country, and that I am fully responsible for the decline of Russia during my reign.
I, Peter, solemnly declare, not only to the Russian Empire, but to the whole world, that I will forever renounce the Russian throne in my lifetime. At any time, no matter who provides support, I will never seek to reset. God testifies that I made this vow on the same day.
Peter III died mysteriously shortly after his imprisonment. What he left behind was a country with a deficit in the national treasury and a withered livelihood. Fortunately, Catherine was a very good monarch.
On the one hand, she established the supremacy of the state over the church, concentrating as much power in Russia as possible in her own hands. On the other hand, while consolidating the serfdom system, she actively began to expand abroad. In the years of Russia's expansion of territory, a great general, Potemkin, entered catherine's life.
Netmap intrusion and deletion
Catherine II, Empress of Russia, 44 years old, had ulterior motives
I sincerely confess to you: I have had many lovers. Sometimes, when I make a decision, I feel sorry for my choice, and this feeling is still inexplicable. Then a knight appeared. With his great deeds and benevolent deeds, he fascinated everyone. Unbeknownst to everyone, I had summoned him to my side.
Well, Mr. Knight, after this confession, can I hope to receive your forgiveness? If you want to have me forever, let me have extraordinary friendship and love at the same time! Love me and tell me your true words.
Gregory Potemkin, 34, an officer, from the heart
My dearest, allow me to spit out these last few words as soon as possible, and I hope that you will not be surprised by my concerns about this love. In addition to giving me countless gifts, you have placed me in your heart. But I wish I were the only one there, because no one could love you as much as I did. I am created by you, so I hope you will preserve my position; I hope you will do everything possible to give me comfort; I hope that you can get peace from it when you are high up and working day and night.
Catherine must have known very well what a brave and warrior knight meant to her at this moment. During the reign of Potemkin, Catherine launched two wars against Turkey, and together with Prussia and Austria, divided Poland three times, and occupied lithuania, Belarus and other countries. According to statistics, the land area of Russia has expanded by at least 670,000 square kilometers as a result. It was because of this achievement that Catherine was able to publicly declare that all of Europe would crawl at her feet.
In addition to her military exploits, Catherine was an "enlightened monarch" heavily influenced by the Enlightenment. As empress, she often generously funded philosophers and artists at home and abroad, including Voltaire, the leader of the French Enlightenment. Catherine also had many correspondence with Voltaire.
Catherine II, 35, Empress of Russia
"Dear Excellency Voltaire, since the age of 17, I have been free to dispose of my time, and your writings have been my best teacher."
Voltaire, 68 years old, is a famous French philosopher
"Dear Empress Majesty, you are the brightest star in the north. If I were young, I would really like to be a Russian. Although I have not been able to set foot on the vast land under your rule, one day I am willing to bury my bones in Russia..."
Netmap intrusion and deletion
It can be seen that Catherine was indeed deeply influenced by enlightenment ideas. At the same time, Voltaire admired the remarkable empress. In front of voltaire's bedroom bed, there is said to be a portrait of Catherine, who bought more than 6,900 books and letters after Voltaire's death. Some people say that it is precisely because of Catherine's enlightenment, Russian and even European literature and art, that there is a possibility of brilliance.
In November 1796, Catherine II died of illness. In her honor, later generations honored her as "Catherine the Great".
You see, in the nearly 35 years of her rule, Russia, both in terms of size and population, has jumped to the top of Europe, ensuring its position as the hegemon of Europe. Not only that, but it was also under catherine's promotion and funding that the Russian literary and artistic circles led to a comprehensive prosperity, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, There were brilliant writers, philosophers and musicians in Russia.
In her private life, Catherine had at least a dozen lovers. Several of her important companions are her best "weapons" for seizing power, consolidating power, and fighting abroad. Catherine's feelings for them may be true, but she has never been a woman who only covets lust for pleasure. Her love will only be given to men who can help her rule the country.
This is probably why, among all the Russian empresses, only Catherine is eligible to be crowned "The Great". Not only did she lead the country to prosperity and civilization, but more importantly, Catherine was a king who truly controlled her destiny.
Sharing a book every day, I am spitting on old Deng