We unpack how Catherine, born a minor German princess, won the love of the Russian public and overthrew her husband to become Tsarina of Russia. We also examine how she became one of only 3 Russian rulers ever to have "the Great" appended to their name.

--

Sources:

• Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
• Catherine the Great: Life and Legend by John Alexander
• A History of Future Cities by Daniel Brook
• "How did Catherine the Great’s reign shape Imperial Russian history?" by Andrew Kahn