Why Did Catherine the Great Overthrow Peter III
The story of Catherine the Great’s rise to power is one of political ambition, personal struggle, and strategic brilliance. She was born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst in 1729, a minor German princess, but destiny had much greater plans for her. At the age of 16, she married the future Emperor Peter III of Russia, a match orchestrated by Empress Elizabeth, Peter’s aunt, to solidify alliances within the European nobility. However, from the very beginning, their marriage was deeply dysfunctional.
Peter, a devoted admirer of Prussian culture and military tactics, was seen as an incompetent ruler who lacked the charisma and wisdom required to lead Russia. He idolized Frederick the Great of Prussia, even at a time when Russia had been at war with Prussia. His pro-Prussian policies alienated the Russian nobility, military, and Orthodox Church, who saw him as unpatriotic and indifferent to Russian interests.
Catherine, on the other hand, is wise, politically astute, and deeply immersed in Russian culture. She converted to Orthodoxy and embraced Russian customs, which won her favor among the people. As she observed Peter’s growing unpopularity, she began cultivating allies among the Russian military, nobility, and influential figures like Count Grigory Orlov. She understood that Peter’s incompetence posed a serious threat to Russia’s stability, and she saw an opportunity to secure power for herself and the nation.
The final straw came when Peter implemented policies that humiliated the Russian military and clergy. He sought to secularize church lands and imposed Prussian-style reforms that deeply offended the aristocracy. With his unpopularity reaching its peak, Catherine and her allies orchestrated a coup d’état in July 1762.
How Did Catherine the Great Get Her Crown?
The coup against Peter III was swift and meticulously planned. With the support of the Imperial Guard and key nobles, Catherine secured the allegiance of influential military leaders and high-ranking officials. On July 9, 1762, while Peter was away at his summer residence at Oranienbaum, Catherine rode to St. Petersburg and declared herself the new sovereign. She donned a military uniform and addressed the soldiers, securing their loyalty. The Russian people, already disillusioned with Peter, largely accepted her claim to the throne without resistance.
Peter, realizing the gravity of the situation, attempted to rally support but found himself abandoned. His own guards defected to Catherine’s side. Understanding that his reign was over, Peter surrendered and was taken into custody. On July 10, Catherine was formally declared Empress of Russia. She justified her seizure of power by claiming that Peter’s reckless policies had endangered the state, and that it was her duty to protect the Russian people. Her swift and decisive actions solidified her position as the legitimate ruler.
With the support of the military, nobility, and church, Catherine wasted no time in consolidating power. She issued a manifesto explaining her reasons for overthrowing Peter, emphasizing her commitment to Russia’s welfare and stability. Her first acts as Empress included reversing Peter’s unpopular policies, reinstating traditional Russian customs, and securing the loyalty of influential political figures. She had successfully transformed herself from a foreign-born princess into one of Russia’s most formidable rulers.
After his forced abdication, Peter III was imprisoned at Ropsha, a secluded estate outside of St. Petersburg. Though Catherine had removed him from power, his existence still posed a threat to her reign. His supporters, though few in number, could attempt to restore him to the throne. Furthermore, as long as he was alive, foreign powers sympathetic to his plight, particularly Prussia, might intervene to reinstate him.
Less than a week after his arrest, Peter was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Officially, it was announced that he had died of “hemorrhoidal colic,” but few believed this explanation. Most historians agree that Peter was assassinated, likely on Catherine’s orders, or at least with her tacit approval.
The primary suspect behind Peter’s death was Alexei Orlov, the brother of Catherine’s close confidant and rumored lover, Grigory Orlov. According to various accounts, Peter was strangled to death or beaten by his captors. Some versions of the story claim that he was forced to consume poison, while others suggest that his death was the result of a drunken altercation that turned fatal. Regardless of the precise method, it is clear that those loyal to Catherine saw his death as a necessity to secure her reign.
Catherine, while publicly expressing grief over Peter’s demise, benefited greatly from his death. With Peter gone, the risk of counter-revolution or foreign intervention diminished significantly. Catherine could now focus on governing without fear of being overthrown.
Her reign, which lasted from 1762 to 1796, marked one of the most prosperous and influential periods in Russian history. She modernized the administration, expanded Russian territory, and fostered cultural and intellectual advancements inspired by the Enlightenment. By eliminating Peter, Catherine ensured that her rule would be unchallenged, allowing her to become one of the most powerful and celebrated monarchs in Russian history.
The overthrow of Peter III and his subsequent assassination were pivotal moments in Russian history. Catherine the Great’s rise to power was driven by her intelligence, political acumen, and ability to navigate the treacherous landscape of court politics. Peter’s ineptitude and unpopular policies created the perfect conditions for Catherine’s coup, and his assassination removed the final obstacle to her undisputed rule. Her reign would go on to shape Russia’s future, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential and enduring rulers in European history.
