Catherine the Great's Power Grab

Catherine the Great Stole the Throne and Had Her Husband Killed on July 9, 1762

On July 9, 1762, Catherine, the wife of Peter III of Russia, staged a coup in St. Petersburg, overthrowing her husband and taking the throne for herself. This event marked a significant turning point in Russian history, as Catherine would go on to rule the country for over three decades. Historian Isabel de Madariaga notes that Catherine's rise to power was swift and calculated, with the support of key nobles and military leaders.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that Catherine the Great was a brilliant and powerful leader who rose to power due to her intelligence and charm. Most people think that she was a natural leader, destined to rule Russia, and that her husband Peter III was weak and ineffective. However, this common understanding oversimplifies the complex events surrounding Catherine's ascension to the throne. The reality is that Catherine's path to power was marked by cunning, strategic planning, and ruthless determination.

What History Actually Shows

Historians such as Robert Massie and Lindsey Hughes have extensively documented Catherine's rise to power, revealing a more nuanced and complex story. On July 9, 1762, Catherine, with the support of her lover Grigory Orlov and other key nobles, staged a coup against her husband Peter III, who had been emperor for only six months. By July 17, 1762, Peter III had been forced to abdicate, and Catherine had taken the throne for herself. Catherine's decision to have her husband killed, which was carried out on July 17, 1762, was a deliberate and calculated move to eliminate any potential threats to her power. According to historian Isabel de Madariaga, Catherine's actions were driven by a desire to consolidate her power and secure her position as empress. By 1764, Catherine had solidified her hold on power, and her reign would go on to be marked by significant cultural, educational, and territorial achievements. As historian Lindsey Hughes notes, Catherine's rule was marked by a series of calculated maneuvers, including the annexation of Crimea in 1783, which further expanded Russia's borders and cemented Catherine's legacy as a shrewd and effective leader.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Robert Massie and Isabel de Madariaga deliberately downplayed the brutal aspects of Catherine's rise to power, focusing instead on her cultural achievements and diplomatic maneuvers. The Russian Imperial family itself also played a significant role in suppressing the story, as they sought to maintain a positive image of their ancestors. One concrete reason for this historical omission is the destruction of documents related to Peter III's death, which were deliberately burned or hidden by Catherine's loyalists to avoid implicating her in the crime. As a result, many details of the coup and its aftermath were lost to history. The lack of primary sources and eyewitness accounts has hindered a full understanding of the events surrounding Catherine's ascension to the throne. Nikolai Karamzin, a 19th-century Russian historian, was one of the few scholars who attempted to uncover the truth, but his work was heavily censored by the Russian government.

The Ripple Effect

Catherine's seizure of power had a direct impact on the lives of the Russian nobility, many of whom were forced to swear allegiance to the new empress or face imprisonment and exile. The coup also led to a significant shift in Russia's foreign policy, as Catherine abandoned her husband's pro-Prussian stance and instead formed an alliance with Frederick the Great's enemies. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, which was founded by Catherine as a symbol of her cultural and intellectual ambitions. The museum's impressive collection of art and artifacts is a testament to Catherine's efforts to establish Russia as a major European power.

The Line That Says It All

Catherine the Great's reign was marked by a singular brutal act that set the tone for her entire rule: the murder of her husband, Peter III, on July 17, 1762.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 18th-century Russian history and the reign of Catherine the Great.