Catherine the Great Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sophia Augusta Fredericka

This is what Catherine's given name was when she was born. After marrying the heir to the Russian throne her name was changed to Catherine Alexeievna.

Answer: 34

She reigned from June 28, 1762 to November 17, 1796. She overthrew her husband in 1762 to name herself Empress of Russia. Her reign lasted for 34 years and she was succeded by her son, Paul I.

Answer: Prussia

She was born in the Prussian city of Stettin (since 1945 Szczecin, Poland) on May 2, 1729 into one of the minor German dynasties - Anhalt-Zerbst.

Answer: Prince Carl Peter Ulrich

He was the heir to the Russian throne and the future Emperor Peter III.

Answer: Paul

Years passed and no heir was in sight. This of course irritated the Empress, who by now thought it must be Catherine's fault - that she was uanble to make herself attractive to her husband. She also ordered a physical examination by a Physician. It was discovered that a small surgical intervention would enable Peter to have normal marital relations.

This done, Catherine finally, on September 20, 1754, gave birth to a son, whom the Empress named Paul. Elizabeth carried the baby off to her apartments.

There he would remain, as long as the Empress lived. After the birth of her son, whom she was not allowed to see for months, and then only after confronting the Empress, a change came over Catherine. She trusted no one. She did help Peter with his Holstein affairs and, at the same time, befriended the British Ambassador, Sir Charles Hanbury-Williams. Sir Charles arranged secret "loans" for her from England, as she was always short of funds.

Answer: The Enlightenment

Along with Maria Theresa and Joseph II of Austria and Frederick II of Prussia, Catherine the Great is generally reckoned one of the leading 'enlightened despots' of the 18th century.

Answer: Empress Elizabeth I

Empress Elizabeth was the aunt of Catherine's husband, Peter. Elizabeth sent for Peter to live with her so she could oversee his education and name him heir to the Russian throne. Elizabeth was the sole ruler of Russia before Peter III came to the throne.

Answer: St. Petersburg

Peter contracted the measles, then he started to show all the symptoms of smallpox. The Empress herself nursed him during his illness, which left him pockmarked and with very little hair. He knew how unattractive he was, which eroded the little confidence he had. Catherine thought him to be a most pitiful creature and it was with dismay that she looked towards her wedding day. By now Peter drank excessively and his behavior became coarse.

The court was back in St. Petersburg, and after several postponements, the wedding took place on August 21, 1745 in the Cathedral of Kazan.

The marriage however was not consumated, because of Peter's physical problems caused by his many illnesses. It was at this time that Catherine, who had never felt more isolated, wrote: "I should have loved my new husband, if only he had been willing or able to be in the least lovable.

But in the first days of my marriage, I made some cruel reflections about him. I said to myself: If you love this man, you will be the most wretched creature on Earth. Watch your step, so far as affection for this gentleman is concerned, think of yourself, Madame."

Answer: Elizabeth Vorontsova

On Christmas day 1761, the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna died. The reign of Peter III had begun. Catherine mourned the Empress sincerely. One of Peter's first official actions dealt with stopping the hostilities against Prussia. On April 24, 1762 the new Tsar signed a treaty with the King of Prussia. All occupied territories would be restored to Prussia.

He sent a personal letter to the King, assuring him of his friendship. On his finger he wore a ring with a portrait of his idol. The Russian Army had suffered great losses during the Seven Years' War. Peter alienated the army further by trying to impose Prussian discipline and even Prussian uniforms. Amid all this, Catherine heard rumors that Peter intended to dispose of her and make Elizabeth Vorontsova his wife.

Answer: false

Russia owes her much. After a long reign of thirty-four years, Catherine died of a stroke on the 17th of November, 1796. The next day the British Ambassador Charles Whitworth wrote: "Last night... this incomparable princess finished her brilliant career." History knows her as Catherine the Great, a title she was offered during her life time and rejected. "I leave it to posterity to judge impartially what I have done" she said at the time; and Catherine has done well. She deserves the title, because she earned it.
A source for this is www.members.tripod.com/~Nevermore/Cgreat7.htm