Hello from Wonder Media Network. I'm Jenny Kaplan and this is Encyclopedia Wamanica.

As we dive into a new year and a new decade, we're taking this month to talk about leaders from throughout history.

Today we're talking about a woman whose reign ushered in a new era in her country.

She reorganized and added to the territory of the Russian Empire.

She replenished the country's coffers and attempted to enact reforms before doubling down on the system of serfdom,

increasing the plight of her nation's poor.

Let's talk about Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.

Sophie Frédérique Auguste, Princess of Anhalt Zerpst, was born on May 2nd, 1729 in Prussia.

She was the daughter of a minor German prince and her mother was related to the dukes of Holstein.

After a relatively unexciting childhood, Sophie's life took a turn when at age 14

she was chosen to become the wife of Carl Ulrich.

Carl's grandfather was Peter the Great Tsar of Russia,

and Carl was his heir.

In 1744, Sophie arrived in Russia and took on the title of Grand Duchess Catherine

Aliseyevna. The following year, she married Carl, who was known as the Grand Duke Peter.

The marriage was wildly unsuccessful when it came to a loving partnership,

but it put Catherine in extremely close proximity to power.

When Catherine and Peter got married, Russia was ruled by Peter the Great's

daughter, Elizabeth. She was Zares for 20 years. She stabilized rule over the Empire and worked to create a court in Russia akin to those of the rest of Europe.

Catherine was intelligent, charming, and extremely ambitious.

After Elizabeth's death and her husband's ascension to power,

Catherine set in motion a plan to remove Peter

...