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A Profile of Catherine the Great Quiz

This quiz is about the life and reign of Catherine the Great--Empress of all Russia.

A multiple-choice quiz by wetaskiwin. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
wetaskiwin

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
94,049

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1292

Last 3 plays: Guest 94 (5/10), Guest 175 (4/10), Guest 185 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Catherine was born a German princess in the year 1729, in the Baltic seaport town of Stettin. Stettin, at that time, was a part of Germany. Much later on, which country laid claim to this town? Hint

Poland

Belgium

Austria

France

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Question 2 of 10

2. By what name was Catherine christened at birth? Hint

Johanna

Sophia

Elizabeth

Fredericka

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Czarina of Russia, Elizabeth I, was once engaged to what relative of young Sophia? Hint

uncle

nephew

grandfather

cousin

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Question 4 of 10

4. What Prussian ruler was actively in favour of a match between Princess Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst and the Grand Duke, Peter, of Russia? Hint

Frederick II

Maximilian I

Leopold I

Albert II

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1744, Princess Sophia was summoned to Russia by Czarina Elizabeth I, as a prospective bride for her nephew, Peter Feodorovich, heir to the Russian throne. How old was Sophia? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. Catherine became the Grand Duchess of Russia when she married Peter in 1745. What was the date? Hint

August 21

June 21

July 21

May 21

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who is widely thought to be the father of Catherine's son, the Grand Duke, Paul? Hint

Gregory Potemkin

Gregory Orlov

Serge Saltykov

Alexander Vasilchikov

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Question 8 of 10

8. At the death of Czarina Elizabeth I, on December 25, 1761, Peter became the next Czar of Russia. Under what name did he reign? Hint

Peter III

Peter II

Peter I

Peter IV

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Question 9 of 10

9. With the full support of the Russian Imperial Guard, Peter was deposed on June 28, 1762. Catherine assumed the throne and was crowned Catherine II, in September, 1762. What ultimately happened to Peter? Hint

He was imprisioned by Catherine.

He was murdered.

He went insane.

He escaped to Prussia where he lived in exile.

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Question 10 of 10

10. As Empress, Catherine was a powerful ruler. Perhaps, she is too often remembered for her sexual exploits rather than what she did for Russia. During her reign, Catherine greatly increased Russia's territory and its power. She modernized Russia and worked to beautify it by employing western European artisans. She reigned for a total of 34 years. Who succeeded her at her death? Hint

Ivan VI

Alexander I

Paul I

Nicholas I

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Nov 20 2024 : Guest 94: 5/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Poland

Stettin was originally a town in northeast Germany but later became known at Szczecin. This change took place after World War II, when Soviet troops took over Stettin. Since then it has been a recognized city of Poland.

2. By what name was Catherine christened at birth?

Answer: Sophia

She was christened Sophia Augusta Frederica, but was nicknamed Figchen by her family. Her father, a major in the Prussian army, was Prince Christian Augustus of Anhalt-Zerbst, a small German principality. Her mother was Princess Johanna Elizabeth.

3. The Czarina of Russia, Elizabeth I, was once engaged to what relative of young Sophia?

Answer: uncle

Elizabeth I had been engaged to Karl August, who was a brother to Sophia's mother, Johanna. Karl died unexpectantly in St. Petersburg in 1727, before the wedding took place. Elizabeth always kept a fondness for him and his family. Perhaps that is one reason why she sought to have Sophia marry her nephew, Peter.

4. What Prussian ruler was actively in favour of a match between Princess Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst and the Grand Duke, Peter, of Russia?

Answer: Frederick II

Known as Frederick the Great, Frederick II worked along with Sophia's mother, Johanna, in promoting the match. He felt that a Prussian alliance with Russia would certainly be in his best interests.

5. In 1744, Princess Sophia was summoned to Russia by Czarina Elizabeth I, as a prospective bride for her nephew, Peter Feodorovich, heir to the Russian throne. How old was Sophia?

Answer: 15

Upon entering Russia, Sophia began studying Russian and Orthodoxy and she soon abandoned Lutheranism for the Russian Church. It was then that she was rechristened "Yekaterina" or Catherine Alexeyevna.

6. Catherine became the Grand Duchess of Russia when she married Peter in 1745. What was the date?

Answer: August 21

Soon after the marriage of her nephew to Catherine, the Czarina started pressuring the couple to produce a son. When this did not happen, Elizabeth allowed Catherine to take a lover in the hopes of securing a child.

7. Who is widely thought to be the father of Catherine's son, the Grand Duke, Paul?

Answer: Serge Saltykov

After 8 years as a virgin bride, drastic measures were called for. Saltykov was a handsome Russian officer and became Catherine's lover. Peter, however, was fooled, and accepted the child as his own. Upon Paul's birth, the child was taken from Catherine by the Czarina and raised as her own.

8. At the death of Czarina Elizabeth I, on December 25, 1761, Peter became the next Czar of Russia. Under what name did he reign?

Answer: Peter III

It didn't take long for the people to grow to hate Peter. He was eccentric and unstable and obsessed with all things "Prussian". He and Catherine loathed each other.

Answer: He was murdered.

Peter had been murdered by Catherine's lover Gregory Orlov, his brother and several other supporters of Catherine.

Answer: Paul I

On Catherine's death in 1796, her son became Paul I, Czar of all Russia. He was 42 years old. Throughout her life Catherine and Paul had been estranged. She had hoped to have her favourite grandson, Alexander, made Emperor but died before she made the necessary arrangements.

Source: Author wetaskiwin

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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