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Catherine the Great
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Catherine the Great Article

How did Catherine the Great come into power?

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Catherine the Great was born Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst to Prussian prince Christian August von Anhalt-Zerbst. At age 16, she married Karl Ulrich (later Peter III), the heir to the throne of Russia. Shortly after Ulrich ascended the throne, Catherine led a successful rebellion against him. Ulrich abdicated, and in September 1762 Catherine was crowned empress of Russia.

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