Catherine II :: essays research papers

"Women fell downstairs her spell as well as men, forunderlying her engaging muliebrity was a masculine strengthwhich gave her the courage to present a matt and smilingmask in the face of the greatest tribulations." Sophia AugustaFrederica was natural into a small Prussian kingdom in 1729.Her hometown was in Stettin, Germany. Her giving birth was agreat disappointment to her parents, her father, PrinceChristian August of Anhalt- Zerbst and her mother, JohannaElizabeth, daughter of the prince of Holstein Gottorp. bothparents had hoped for a son. After they did finally have ason, she was neglected level off more. Although, when herparents discovered that she had a good memory, theyencouraged her to study religion, history and geography. as well learning, Sophia also became more interested inhunting and riding horses rather than what were consideredmore feminine past times and was somewhat of a tomboy.throughout her life, her mother only spoke to her to criticizeher. Her father cared very oft(prenominal) for her, but was tooengrossed with his military work to show her much affection.She spent much time with her governess who taught her toquestion everything and everybody and to trust her own usual sense. Her guidance from her governess and herability to be independent at a adolescent age helped her to laterbecome a strong leader.At a very young age, she wished to marry her secondcousin, shaft of light Ulrich, who later changed his pass water to PeterFyodorvich. Elizabeth I of Russia chose her to marry herson, Peter Fyodorvich. Catherine prepared for the role of tsarina by studying the Russian language intently. Loveplayed no role in her thoughts to marry Peter Catherine wasonly interested in the throne. As a strict Lutheran,Catherines father was very cheerless about Catherinemarrying a Russian Orthodox. Her father wrote her lettersbegging her not to abandon Lutheranism. Catherine wasdetermined to gain the respect of the Russian orthodox, sowhe n she became pernicious ill, she called for a Russianorthodox priest instead of a Lutheran. She win the trust andsympathy of Russia. On June 28, 1744, Catherine wasbaptized into the Russian orthodox faith. The following day sheand peter Fyodovich had an elaborate betrothal at theCathedral of St. Sophia. She wed Peter in Augustof1745, and their marriage was a disaster from thebeginning. Peter was very immature and spent most of histime playing with bunco soldiers. 2/1/952 "The marriage was acomplete failure. The following xviii years were filledwith deception and humiliation for her." Peter hurt Catherine profoundly when he told her of women in the court that he loved