Catherine II :: essays research papers

"Women fell under her spell as well as men, forunderlying her engaging femininity was a masculine strengthwhich gave her the courage to present a bland and smilingmask in the face of the great tribulations." Sophia AugustaFrederica was born into a small Prussian kingdom in 1729.Her hometown was in Stettin, Germany. Her birth was agreat disappointment to her parents, her father, PrinceChristian August of Anhalt- Zerbst and her flummox, JohannaElizabeth, female child of the prince of Holstein Gottorp. Bothparents had hoped for a son. After they did finally have ason, she was neglected even more. Although, when herparents discovered that she had a good memory, theyencouraged her to study religion, history and geography. as well as 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 that spoke to her to criticizeher. Her father cared ver y such(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 owncommon sense. Her guidance from her governess and herability to be independent at a young age helped her to later set about a strong leader.At a very young age, she wished to marry her secondcousin, peter Ulrich, who later changed his name to irradiationFyodorvich. Elizabeth I of Russia chose her to marry herson, Peter Fyodorvich. Catherine prepared for the role ofczarina 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 unhappy about Catherinemarrying a Russian Orthodox. Her father wrote her letters begging her not to abandon Lutheranism. Catherine wasdetermined to gain the respect of the Russian orthodox, sowhen she became deathly ill, she called for a Russianorthodox priest instead of a Lutheran. She won the trust andsympathy of Russia. On June 28, 1744, Catherine wasbaptized into the Russian orthodox faith. The next day sheand peter Fyodovich had an elaborate betrothal at theCathedral of St. Sophia. She married Peter in Augustof1745, and their marriage was a disaster from thebeginning. Peter was very immature and spent most of histime playing with toy soldiers. 2/1/952 "The marriage was acomplete failure. The following eighteen years were filledwith deception and humiliation for her." Peter hurt Catherinedeeply when he told her of women in the tourist court that he loved