Catherine the Great, also known as Catherine II, was the

reigning empress of Russia. During Catherine's early years as

in loyalty, the Russian empire was ruled by Peter the Great's

granddaughter, Elizabeth. Following Elizabeth's death in

1761, Peter III, Catherine's husband ruled Russia for a short

duration of his time. On July 17, 1762, Peter III was

assassinated by Catherine the Great, and her reasoning

behind the attempt was the concern that citizens in Russia

would rise against the monarchy. Catherine the Great's

contributions to the Russian empire is the reforming of

education, expanding territories for Russia, similar to Ivan

the Terrible, and championing the arts.