Comparing Catherine II's Absolutism Between The 16th And 18th Century

Between the 16th and 18th century, absolute monarchs were the dominant ruling powers in Europe. Catherine II was married to the Grand Duke Peter, who would inherit the Russian throne upon Empress Elizabeth’s death, Catherine II later overthrew her husband and gained access to the throne in 1762, where she ruled Russia during its Golden Age until her death in 1796. Her political views were influenced by her interest in philosophy, during her reign, she brought multiple political reforms to the Russian government. As Russia’s monarch, Catherine II expanded Russia’s borders to include lands surrounding the Black Sea and parts of Poland in three partitions that divided Poland amongst Russia, Austria, and Prussia. Catherine II favored nobles above