Empress Catherine the Great

Empress Catherine the Great was a Russian ruler from 1762 to 1796, known for modernizing and expanding Russia. She was intelligent and ambitious, fostering arts, education, and reforming laws. She strengthened the monarchy while encouraging Western ideas, arts, and sciences. Under her leadership, Russia became a major European power and acquired new territories, including parts of Poland and the Black Sea coast. Her reign is often seen as a golden age of cultural growth, though she also faced criticism for her harsh policies and treatment of peasants. Overall, she left a lasting impact on Russia’s development as a prominent nation.