The period between the death of Peter the Great and the session of

Catherine the Great, 1725 to 1762, has been considered by some historians as an era of shallowness, confusion and decay,

whereas others attribute to it much of Russia's spiritual growth and political advancement. The truth seems to lie on both sides.

Rapid and violent changes as under Peter were discontinued, but slowly the process of Westernization went on, gaining in depth and leading

to a better proportion between the ambitions and actual potentialities of the country.

Historian Walter Kirsner.

Welcome to Russian history re-told.

Episode 189 Elizabeth Ivan the 6th, Anna, Peter the 2nd, and Catherine the 1st.

Last time we reassessed the reigns of Catherine the Great and her husband Peter the 3rd.

Today we will do the same for the five Russian rulers of which only one Elizabeth was to have

a true lasting impact on her country, with Empress Anna having a little bit as well.

So let's start with Catherine I, who was the wife of Peter the Great.

When he died on February 8th, 1725, there was some debate on who would take

over as the next ruler, but Peter had made her his choice. Despite having a falling out with her recently,

over an issue revolving around William Mons, but nonetheless she was made Empress of all of Russia.

Of everything that can be said of her time as a Russian ruler,

only one can be pointed out as significant,

her being the first woman to hold the position.

It opened the door for Anna, Elizabeth, and of course, her namesake, Catherine the Great,

to rule Russia as women for a period of about 67 out of 71 years.

A truly remarkable feat considering the culture of male domination and Russian society of the time.

I know some of you were going, wait a minute, there was Olga

...