BE

Period 2

The Contestants

Philip IILouis XIV

Charles I

Maria Theresa

Peter I

Frederick II

Catherine the Great

Growth of the Russian Empire under Catherine

Catherine’s Success

• Catherine ruled for 34 years, the longest rule since the formation of the Russian Empire in 1721.

• Catherine extended Russia’s borders greatly by adding nearly 200 thousand square miles over her long reign.

Russian war under Catherine

• Catherine’s first war was a Russo-Turkish war with the Ottoman empire.

• While still involved in war with the Ottoman Turks, Catherine went to war with Sweden

• This was a difficult challenge during her early reign but handled it greatly, winning land, and forming Russia into a dominant southeastern power.

Common characteristics with other monarchs of the time

• Catherine took over after the death of her husband from a direct relation to the throne, as did most other monarchs in Europe.

• Catherine, and all of the other monarchs in Europe were Absolute Monarchs, who had complete control over their empires.

Similarities with other monarchs

• Catherine the Great was very much like Peter the Great, who also ruled Russia. Peter wanted to expand Russia’s borders and gain warm water ports, a task which Catherine later accomplished.

• Catherine also encouraged devolopment of the arts and culture in Russia. This was a very similar idea to Philip II, who was a patron of the arts.

A monarch unlike Catherine

• Maria Theresa was like Catherine in many ways but had differing ruling strategies

• Catherine wanted to improve the power of her country by extending borders and enriching culture.

• Maria wanted to improve her country by creating many reforms including financial and educational reforms, but didn’t put as much focus on the army, like Catherine did.

Modern Day Russia

• The Russian Empire under Catherine expanded over a huge area, but Russia today, is very large, and has expanded to over 17 million square kilometers.

Russian government

• Today, Russia is a Federation under President Vladimir Putin.

• The presidents are elected and the government has executive, judicial and legislative branches.

Which monarch would be best to live under

• Catherine the Great• Catherine was a wonderful ruler who had

complete control but gave her people much freedom.

• She expanded Russian borders, and developed culture and the arts.

Best country to live in today

• Germany• The greatest economy in Europe with the

second largest population density.• The average life expectancy is 78.8 years

old. • Germany also has a relatively low

unemployment rate. • The country would be the best European

nation to live in.