Changes

==Empress==

==Empress==

Catherine reigned from 1762 to 1796.  Sypathetic to [[Germany]] she withdrew Russia from the [[Seven Years War]] which in all likelihood allowed [[Fredric the Great]] to avoid defeat.  She was initially looked at with suspicion, seeing as she had no title to the crown, and she was brought to power due to a palace revolution.  She gradually gained her popularity.   

Catherine reigned from 1762 to 1796.  Sypathetic to [[Germany]] she withdrew Russia from the [[Seven Years War]] which in all likelihood allowed [[Frederick the Great]] to avoid defeat.  She was initially looked at with suspicion, seeing as she had no title to the crown, and she was brought to power due to a palace revolution.  She gradually gained her popularity.   

Catherine's despotic rule and personal morality suffered from similar moral failures as a great many men in power.  On the other hand, she did attempt to democratize governance, suggesting that her instinct was toward egalitarianism. Yet she also reinforced [[feudalism]] by tightening the tie between [[serf]]s and their overlords.

Catherine's despotic rule and personal morality suffered from similar moral failures as a great many men in power.  On the other hand, she did attempt to democratize governance, suggesting that her instinct was toward egalitarianism. Yet she also reinforced [[feudalism]] by tightening the tie between [[serf]]s and their overlords.