Imagine you lived in a time of political upheaval, and when there was a full mistrust toward an irresponsible monarchy. You must then bravely step up defying your betrothed partner and ruler for the well being of your own nation. This loosely describes the life and succession of the empress of Russia Catherine the Great. As a ruler she was loved by many and despised by few in the Empire she ruled and helped shaped. Though her achievements gave her a mark in history, her rule gained both appraise and criticism in the way she governed, her foreign policy, her personal life, and the admiration she received from her subjects and her critics. Her accounts in her memoirs of these events in history however, are different from the way others see her like M.M. Shcherbutov's accounts of her time to a modern appraisal written by biographer Isabl of Madariaga. These accounts help us piece together the pieces of her rule.
In Catherine's own memoirs she portrays herself as somewhat of a savior of her empire denouncing her betrothed husband, Peter the Grand Duke of Russia, as an irresponsible ruler that doesn't care for the plight of his subjects while destroying Russian heritage. She also gives her own account on how she allied with the military coup that were unsatisfied with the decisions Peter made and threw him out of power. Peter only ruled for a few months, but one would seen to wonder if the fact that one of Catherine's many lovers was the head of that military coup that overthrew her husband. The author of the Maker's of the Western Tradition, summarizes her memoirs by saying, "Although it was widely believed that Catherine had some complicity not only in the rebellion, but in the death of her husband as well, perhaps even ordering his murder, her account clearly states that Peter died of natural causes." She mentions in her memoirs," She never wanted, wished, or desired anything but the success of this nation and her whole life will be employed for the sole purpose of furthering the welfare and happiness of the Russian people.
