Children of Catherine the Great. The reign and personal life of Catherine the Great

The Russian Empress Catherine II, also known as the Great, reigned from 1762 to 1796. With her own efforts she significantly expanded the Russian Empire, significantly improved the administration system and vigorously pursued a policy of Westernization, implying a process of transition to Western ideas and traditions. In the time of Catherine the Great, Russia has become a fairly large country. It could compete with the great powers of Europe and Asia.

Childhood of the future great empress

Catherine II, born Sofia Frederica Auguste, was born on April 21, 1729 in a small German principality in the city of Stettin, Prussia (now Shecin, Poland). Her father Christian August Anhalt-Zerbstsky was the prince of this tiny possession. He made a military career under Friedrich Wilhelm the First.

Mother of Catherine - Princess Elizabeth Holstein-Gottorp. The girl's parents very much hoped for the appearance of the heir, and therefore did not show special affection for their daughter. Instead, they devoted most of the time and energy to the son of Wilhelm, who, unfortunately, later died at the age of twelve.

Getting education and being close to the governess

As a child, the future Catherine II was very close to her governess Babette. Subsequently, the Empress always spoke warmly of her. The girl's education consisted of those subjects that she needed for her status and origin. This religion (Lutheranism), history, French, German and even Russian, which is very useful later. And, of course, music.

This is how Catherine the Great spent her childhood. Briefly describing her years of stay at home, we can say that nothing unusual with the girl could not happen. Life growing young Catherine seemed very boring, and she did not know then that in front of her awaits an exciting adventure - a journey to a far harsh edge.

Arrival in Russia, or the Beginning of Family Life

As soon as Catherine grew up, her mother saw in her daughter a means of moving along the social ladder and improving the situation in the family. She had many relatives, and this helped to do a thorough search for a suitable groom. At the same time, the life of Catherine the Great was so monotonous that she saw in this upcoming marriage an excellent means to escape from the control of the mother.

When Catherine was fifteen, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna invited her to Russia so that she could become the wife of the heir to the throne - Grand Duke Peter III. He was an immature and unpleasant sixteen-year-old boy. As soon as the girl came to Russia, she immediately fell ill with pleurisy, which nearly killed her.

Elizabeth survived due to frequent bloodletting, which insisted Elizaveta Petrovna. But her mother was against this practice, and because of this she fell into disgrace with the Empress. Nevertheless, as soon as Catherine recovered and accepted the Orthodox faith, despite the objections of her father - a devoted Lutheran, she and the young prince were married. And along with the new religion the girl got another name - Katerina. All these events took place in 1745, and this is how the story of Catherine the Great began.

Years of family life, or How the husband plays soldiers

Becoming on the twenty-first of August a member of the royal family, Catherine began to wear the title of princess. But her marriage was completely unhappy. Catherine the Great's husband was an immature young man who, instead of spending time with his own wife, preferred to play with soldiers. And the future Empress spent her time entertaining herself with other fun, reading.

Count Andrei Shuvalov, who was the chamberlain of Catherine, well knew the memoirist James Boswell, and he informed the column details of the monarch's intimate life. Some of these rumors contained information that shortly after the marriage Peter took to himself the mistress of Elizabeth Vorontsov. But Catherine after that did not remain in debt. She was seen in connections with Sergei Saltykov, Grigory Orlov, Stanislav Ponyatovsky and others.

The appearance of the long-awaited successor

Several years passed before the future empress gave birth to an heir. The son of Catherine the Great, Paul, was born on the twentieth of September 1754. The paternity of this child has been the subject of endless discussions. There are many scientists who believe that in fact the boy's father is not the husband of Catherine the Great, but Sergei Saltykov is a Russian nobleman and a member of the court. Others claimed that the baby is like Peter, who is his father.

In any case, Catherine did not have time for her first-born, and soon Elizabeth Petrovna took him to her for education. Despite the fact that the marriage was unsuccessful, it did not overshadow the intellectual and political interests of Catherine. A clever young woman continued to read a lot, especially in French. She loved novels, plays and poems, but most of all she was interested in the works of major figures of French education, such as Diderot, Voltaire and Montesquieu.

Soon Catherine became pregnant with her second child, Anna, who will live only four months. Children of Catherine the Great because of various rumors about the promiscuity of the future Empress did not cause Peter the Third warm feelings. The man doubted that he was their biological father. Of course, Catherine rejected such accusations of her husband and preferred to spend most of her time in her boudoir to hide from his unbearable nature.

In one step from the throne

After the death of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, who died on December 25, 1761, Catherine's husband took the throne, becoming Peter III, while Catherine herself received the title of Empress. But the couple still lived separately. The Empress had nothing to do with the government. Peter was openly cruel to his wife. He ruled the state together with his mistresses.

But Catherine the Great was a very ambitious woman with enormous intellectual abilities. She hoped that eventually she would come to power and rule Russia. Unlike her husband, Catherine tried to demonstrate her devotion to the state and the Orthodox faith. As she correctly assumed, it helped her not only to take a place on the throne, but also to obtain the necessary support of the Russian people.

Conspiracy against one's own spouse

Within a few months of his reign Peter III managed to get a bunch of enemies in the government among the military and especially church ministers. On the night of June 28, 1762, Catherine the Great conspired with her beloved Gregory Orlov, left the palace and went to the Izmaylovsky Regiment, where she addressed the soldiers with a speech in which she asked to protect her from her own husband.

So the conspiracy against Peter the Third was committed. The ruler was forced to sign a document on abdication, and the son of Catherine the Great Paul ascended to the throne. With him, the Empress was supposed to be a regent before his coming of age. And Peter soon after his arrest was strangled by his own guards. Perhaps this Catherine ordered to commit a murder, but there is no evidence of her guilt.

Dreams Come True

From this time the reign of Catherine the Great begins. In the early years, she devotes maximum time to ensure the firmness of her position on the throne. Catherine knew perfectly well that there are people who consider her a usurper, who seized the power of others. Therefore, she actively used the slightest opportunity to win favor with the nobility and the military.

As for foreign policy, Catherine II the Great understood that Russia needed a long period of peace in order to concentrate on internal problems. And this world could only be obtained through a cautious foreign policy. And for her conduct, Catherine chose Count Nikita Panin, who was very well versed in matters of foreign affairs.

Unsettled personal life of Empress Catherine

The portrait of Catherine the Great shows us her as a woman of rather pleasant appearance, and it is not at all surprising that the Empress's personal life was very diverse.

Catherine could not remarry, because this would jeopardize her position.

According to most researchers, the history of Catherine the Great includes about twelve lovers, whom she often bestowed with various presents, honors and titles in order to win their favor.

Favorites, or How to ensure your old age

After the novel of Catherine with advisor Grigory Potemkin ended, and it happened in 1776, the Empress chose a man who had not only physical beauty, but also excellent mental abilities. It was Alexander Dmitriev-Mamonov. Many of the Empress's lovers were very kind to her, and Catherine the Great always showed generosity towards them even after the completion of all ties.

For example, one of her beloved - Peter Zavadovsky - received fifty thousand rubles, a pension of five thousand and four thousand peasants after their relationship ended (this happened in 1777). The last of her many lovers was Prince Zubov, who was younger than the empress for forty years.

And what about the children of Catherine the Great? Really among so many favorites there was not one who gave her another son or daughter? Or was Paul his only descendant?

Children of Catherine the Great, born of favorites

When Empress Elizaveta Petrovna died, Catherine was six months pregnant from Grigory Orlov. The Kid was born in secret from all 11 April 1762 in a remote part of the palace. Her marriage to Peter the Third at that time was completely destroyed, and he often sported at the court with his mistress.

The chamberlain of Catherine Vasily Shkurin and his wife took the child to their house. The reign of Catherine the Great began when the boy was only a few months old. He was returned to the palace. The kid began to enjoy normal childhood under the control of his parents - Empress Catherine and Gregory. Orlov began to use the child, trying to push Ekaterina to marriage.

She thought for a long time and persistently, but still took the advice of Panin, who said that Mrs. Orlova would never be allowed to rule the Russian state. And Catherine did not dare to marry Grigory Orlov. When Alexei became a teenager, he went to travel abroad. The journey lasted for ten years. After returning to Russia, the son received an estate from his mother and began to study at the Holy Cadet Corps.

The influence of favorites on the state

According to other historical data, from Poniatowski the empress gave birth to a boy and a girl, but these children of Catherine the Great lived only about sixteen months. They have never been recognized publicly. Most of the favorites of Catherine the Great came from noble families and managed to build an outstanding political career. For example, Stanislaw Poniatowski became king of Poland in 1764.

But none of the beloved Catherine used his status so much as to influence the state policy. With the exception of Grigory Potemkin, with whom Catherine the Great was bound by very deep feelings. Many experts even argue that a secret marriage was concluded between the Empress and Potemkin in 1774.

Catherine the Great, whose years of government brought significant benefits to the Russian state, remained a loving and beloved woman throughout her life.

Main achievements of the Russian state

And although love in Catherine's life was an important part, feelings never overshadowed political interests. The Empress always worked hard at mastering the Russian language to such an extent that she completely removed her accent, absorbed Russian culture and mastered customs, and scrupulously studied the history of the empire. The historical portrait of Catherine the Great indicates that she was a very competent ruler.

During her reign, Catherine expanded the boundaries of the Russian Empire to the south and west by almost 520,000 square kilometers. The state has become the dominant force in the south-eastern part of Europe. Numerous victories on the military front allowed the empire to gain access to the Black Sea.

Moreover, in 1768 the Assignation Bank was given the task of issuing the first government paper money. Similar institutions were opened in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and then in other cities bank branches were established.

Catherine paid great attention to the education and upbringing of young people of both sexes. The Moscow Educational House was opened, soon the Empress founded the Smolny Institute of Noble Maidens. She studied pedagogical theories in the practice of other countries and initiated many educational reforms. And it was Catherine who pledged to open schools in the provincial parts of the Russian Empire.

The Empress constantly patronized the cultural life of the country, and also demonstrated devotion to the Orthodox faith and the state. She paid maximum attention to expanding educational institutions and increasing the economic power of the country. But who ruled after Catherine the Great? Who continued her path in the development of the state?

The last days of government. Possible successors of the throne

For several decades Catherine II was the absolute ruler of the Russian state. But all this time she had very strained relations with her own son - heir Pavel. The Empress was well aware that it was impossible to transfer power to the offspring's hands.

Catherine the Great, whose reign ended in mid-November 1796, decided to make his successor, Alexander's grandson. It was in him that she saw the future ruler and was very warm to him. The Empress in advance prepared her grandson for reign, engaged in his education. Moreover, she even managed to marry Alexander, which meant reaching the age of majority and the opportunity to take a seat on the throne.

Despite this, after the death of Catherine II with the help of another palace revolution, the son of the Empress Paul the First took the place of the heir to the throne. Thus, he became the one who ruled after Catherine the Great for five years.