# Catherine II - Empress of all Russia

URL: https://history-russia.com/rulers/catherine-ii
Reign: 1762 - 1796
Born-Died: 1729 - 1796
Dynasty: Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_the_Great

Catherine the Great, a German princess, took power in a coup and ruled for 34 years. She expanded Russia to the Black Sea and into Poland, patronised the Enlightenment and strengthened serfdom.

## Succession
- Preceded by: [Peter III](https://history-russia.com/rulers/peter-iii)
- Succeeded by: [Paul I](https://history-russia.com/rulers/paul-i)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 1762 - [Freedom of the nobility](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1762-freedom-of-the-nobility)
- 1762 - [Catherine II seizes power](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1762-catherine-ii-seizes-power)
- 1764 - [The Hermitage and Smolny Institute](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1764-the-hermitage-and-smolny-institute)
- 1767 - [The Legislative Commission](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1767-the-legislative-commission)
- 1770 - [Chesma and Kagul](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1770-chesma-and-kagul)
- 1772 - [First Partition of Poland](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1772-first-partition-of-poland)
- 1773 - [Pugachev's Rebellion](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1773-pugachev-s-rebellion)
- 1774 - [Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1774-treaty-of-kucuk-kaynarca)
- 1775 - [Provincial reform](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1775-provincial-reform)
- 1782 - [The Bronze Horseman unveiled](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1782-the-bronze-horseman-unveiled)
- 1783 - [Annexation of the Crimean Khanate](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1783-annexation-of-the-crimean-khanate)
- 1785 - [Charter to the Gentry](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1785-charter-to-the-gentry)
- 1790 - [Storming of Izmail](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1790-storming-of-izmail)
- 1791 - [Pale of Settlement](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1791-pale-of-settlement)
- 1795 - [Third Partition of Poland](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1795-third-partition-of-poland)
- 1796 - [Paul I ascends the throne](https://history-russia.com/timeline/1796-paul-i-ascends-the-throne)