Catherine the Great’s Journal

My name is Catherine. I was born Sophia Augusta Frederika of Anhalt-Zerbst in France. My father is Prince Christian Augustus of Anhalt-Zerbst. My mother is Princess Johanna of Holstein-Gottorp.

Today is January 1, 1744. I received an invitation from the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great. She has invited my mother and I to come to St. Petersburg. My father is not allowed to come, because he is Lutheran. The Russians are Orthodox. In 10 days we will leave Zerbst.

10 days later

This morning we left Zerbst. We stopped in Berlin to see King Frederick II.

A few weeks later

Several things have happened since we left Zerbst. A few days after we met with King Frederick, I said goodbye to my father on the river Oder. The journey has been long and exhausting in the middle of winter. We reached the border and were met by people the Empress Elizabeth had sent. Since then we have traveled the rest of the way in luxury. Tomorrow we are supposed to arrive in St. Petersburg.

The day after

Today we arrived in St. Petersburg. Empress Elizabeth has seemed to take a liking for me. She wants me to marry her son, the Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich. I think that Peter has a certain frailty about him. He’s sickly, and emotionally retarded. He seems to have never had love and affection in his life. Most of all, he seems to hate the country he was to rule (Russia), and also their religion. He seems more interested in the Lutheran faith than in the Orthodox faith.

Several months later

These past months have been particularly hectic. I have learned the Russian language and studied the Orthodox religion. On June 28 I was received into the Church. The next day I was married to the Grand Duke Peter. My name was changed to the Grand Duchess Ekaterina (Catherine) Alexeyevna. I was then declared the second highest -ranking lady in Russia.

Several months later

Peter and I have settled down into the married life. Our marriage is quickly becoming a failure. I read all the time, especially intellectual works. The smarter I become, the more Peter avoids me, because of his own stupidity. He tells me how much he admires other women, and I still have not provided him with an heir. The Empress blames me for not having a child.

A year later

On September 20, 1754, I gave birth to a son whom I named Paul. The Empress took him home with her. He will remain there as long as the Empress lives.

Several years later

Since I rarely ever get to see my son, I have become a changed woman. I trust no one, and conditions are worsening between Peter and I. A war has come on between Prussia and Russia. I have fallen in love with a Russian hero named Gregory Orlov. It’s horrible that I’m being unfaithful to Peter, but I really don’t worry about it. Peter has a well-known mistress named Elizabeth Vorontsova.

Years later

On Christmas day, 1761, Peter’s mother Elizabeth died. He then became the Czar of Russia, Peter III. Amid all of this, I had heard rumors that Peter intends to dispose of me and make his mistress his wife. With this, Gregory’s older brothers and some friends plotted to overthrow Peter. One of the co-conspirators was arrested for making insulting remarks about Peter. With this, the other decided to act. On June 21st, while I was asleep in my bed, Alexis Orlov slipped into my bedroom and awakened me. I put on clothes and we traveled up the road. I told some soldiers that I feared Peter was going to kill me, and they immediately kissed me and took care of me. From that moment on, Russia was mine. The people thought that Peter was a dangerous man, and they did not acknowledge him as their leader any more. Of course, Peter resisted this. But he refused to fight me, so he signed an act of abdication. Peter was taken to a nearby village and died during the night. As soon as I learned of this, I knew I owed my crown to the Orlovs. I did not attend Peter’s funeral.

During my reign

When I first started my reign, I was shocked at the state that Russia was in. The armed forces were crumbling, and the budget showed a deficit of 17 million rubles. I decided to concentrate on increasing Russia’s wealth; and I began with the land, since Russia is primarily agricultural. Things improved, and the agriculture was back to normal. My next project was to work on the mining. I founded the first School of Mines in St. Petersburg. During my reign, the number of factories increased from 984 to 3161. Trade flourished. I increased the number of schools in Russia. Women started attending schools, as well as many men.

Gregory Orlov and I distanced our selves. I met another man named Gregory Potemkin. We married in a secret ceremony. Our marriage was never widely known.

I think I have done much for Russia, and I hope that one day my ancestors will do much more.

Catherine’s Death

Catherine died of a stroke on the 17th of November 1796. The British Ambassador Charles Whitworth wrote: “Last night… this incomparable princess finished her brilliant career.”