Catherine the Great - Empress Catherine at Last - Extra History - Part 3

Extra History2 minutes read

Catherine conspires to overthrow Emperor Peter with military support, leading to her declaration as sovereign autocrat of Russia after Peter's abdication and death. She implements policies to reverse Peter's decisions, transforming church property into state assets and converting church serfs into taxpayers to alleviate Russia's financial crisis.

Insights

  • Catherine and her lover orchestrated a plot to overthrow Emperor Peter by bribing officials and gaining the support of local guard regiments in St. Petersburg, highlighting the role of corruption and military alliances in political upheaval.
  • Following Peter's discovery of the conspiracy, Catherine swiftly seizes power, emphasizing the importance of decisive action in times of political turmoil and the strategic use of loyalty shifts within military factions to secure authority.

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Recent questions

  • Who was declared sovereign autocrat of Russia?

    Catherine

  • What led to Peter's eventual abdication and death?

    Catherine's refusal to share the throne

  • Where was Catherine declared sovereign autocrat of Russia?

    Cathedral of Our Lady Kazan

  • What policies did Catherine implement to reverse Peter's decisions?

    Shift to neutrality in wars and seizure of church lands

  • How did Catherine gain the loyalty of guard regiments?

    By winning over local guard regiments in St. Petersburg

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Summary

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Catherine's Coup: Rise to Russian Autocrat

  • Catherine and her lover had been working with government and military officials to replace Emperor Peter, gaining support through bribes and winning over local guard regiments in St. Petersburg.
  • A soldier in a guard regiment in St. Petersburg inadvertently reveals the conspiracy against the emperor, leading to arrests and the need for immediate action.
  • Catherine's allies gather, urged by Panin to act quickly due to the limited time for their freedom.
  • Catherine is informed of the situation early in the morning and rushes to St. Petersburg, acquiring fresh horses from a passing farm wagon.
  • Catherine gains the loyalty of guard regiments while Peter remains dismissive of the brewing rebellion, playing violin in his room.
  • Catherine is declared sovereign autocrat of Russia in a ceremony at the Cathedral of Our Lady Kazan, while Peter plans a feast at Peterhof.
  • Catherine addresses the Senate and Holy Synod, declaring her actions as necessary for Russia's well-being, while Peter's party at Peterhof finds no one present.
  • Catherine receives Peter's abdication letter and refuses his offers to share the throne, leading to his eventual abdication and death.
  • Catherine implements policies to reverse Peter's decisions, including a shift to neutrality in wars and the seizure of church lands to alleviate Russia's financial crisis, leading to the transformation of church property into state assets and the conversion of church serfs into taxpayers.
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