---
title: Catherine the Great and the Russian Empire, c. 1796
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17952/catherine-the-great-and-the-russian-empire-c-1796/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2023-09-28
---

# Catherine the Great and the Russian Empire, c. 1796

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Catherine the Great and the Russian Empire, c. 1796](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17952.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17952.png)

## Image Caption

A map illustrating the state of the Russian [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/), c. 1796, during the reign of Ekaterina II Alekseyevna (born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst), commonly known as [Catherine the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Catherine_the_Great/). Longest ruling Russian Empress (1762 – 1796), she continued the policies of [Peter the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peter_the_Great/) both culturally and militarily, establishing educational reform, championing the arts and [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/), and aggressively extending imperial borders in the most significant territorial gain since Ivan the Terrible.

Catherine's reign witnessed multiple conflicts with the [Ottoman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ottoman_Empire/) and the annexation and assimilation of Crimea. It also played a pivotal role in the partitions of Poland (Russia, Prussia, and Austria engaged in a series of territorial partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the late 18th century), leading to the loss of Polish sovereignty, altering the map of [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) and leaving a lasting imprint on the broader geopolitical landscape.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2023, September 28). Catherine the Great and the Russian Empire, c. 1796. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17952/catherine-the-great-and-the-russian-empire-c-1796/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Catherine the Great and the Russian Empire, c. 1796." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 28, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17952/catherine-the-great-and-the-russian-empire-c-1796/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Catherine the Great and the Russian Empire, c. 1796." *World History Encyclopedia*, 28 Sep 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17952/catherine-the-great-and-the-russian-empire-c-1796/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 28 September 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.