The ruler in europe most admired by the philosophes. She ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796. She ruled with absolute authority and eventually put in place limited reforms. Her enlightened ideas changed after the uprising of the serfs.Catherine favored an end to serfdom however, the revolt convinced her she needed the nobles' support to keep her throne. Catherine sought access to the black sea and had two wars with the Ottoman turks for supremacy over the shores. Her armies won the north shore and Russia gained the right to send ships through Ottoman-controlled straits. Catherine also expanded his empire westward into Poland. By the end of Catherines reign, she enlarged the empire of Russia.
Catherine the Great
The ruler in europe most admired by the philosophes. She ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796. She ruled with absolute authority and eventually put in place limited reforms. Her enlightened ideas changed after the uprising of the serfs.Catherine favored an end to serfdom however, the revolt convinced her she needed the nobles' support to keep her throne. Catherine sought access to the black sea and had two wars with the Ottoman turks for supremacy over the shores. Her armies won the north shore and Russia gained the right to send ships through Ottoman-controlled straits. Catherine also expanded his empire westward into Poland. By the end of Catherines reign, she enlarged the empire of Russia.