10 Major Achievements of Catherine the Great That Changed Russia Forever

Catherine II, better known as Catherine the Great, ruled the Russian Empire for an impressive 34 years—from 1762 to 1796—making her the longest-reigning female leader in Russian history. Her era of rule, often referred to as the «Catherinean Age,» is widely regarded as a golden era in Russian history. Through savvy diplomacy, bold reforms, and ambitious military campaigns, she transformed Russia into one of Europe’s foremost powers.

Let’s take a look at 10 of Catherine the Great’s most influential accomplishments.

She Was Russia’s Longest-Reigning Female Monarch

Catherine married the future Emperor Peter III in 1745. But when Peter ascended to the throne in 1762, his reign was short-lived. Within months, Catherine orchestrated a coup and declared herself Empress of Russia. Her 34-year reign would become one of the most transformative in the country’s history. Known for her intelligence, political prowess, and commitment to Enlightenment ideals, she earned the title «Catherine the Great» and ushered in an era that saw Russia flourish both culturally and territorially.

She Led Russia to Victory Over the Ottoman Empire

At the time, the Ottoman Empire controlled much of the Black Sea region, cutting off Russia’s access to vital southern ports. Catherine saw this as a strategic weakness and launched a successful military campaign during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774. The war ended with the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, which secured crucial territorial gains for Russia and gave it the right to maintain a fleet on the Black Sea. This marked the beginning of Russia’s emergence as a major naval power and a protector of Orthodox Christians within the Ottoman Empire.

She Cemented Russia’s Dominance in Southeastern Europe

In 1783, Catherine formally annexed Crimea, a bold move that reignited conflict with the Ottomans. The second major Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792) ended in another decisive Russian victory. With the Treaty of Jassy, the Ottoman Empire recognized Russia’s claim to Crimea and ceded more territory along the northern coast of the Black Sea. These victories gave Russia control over vast new lands and strengthened its political and military influence across southeastern Europe.

She Dramatically Expanded the Russian Empire

Under Catherine’s leadership, Russia’s territory grew by over 500,000 square kilometers. Through the partitioning of Poland alongside Prussia and Austria, Russia gained massive tracts of land, including parts of modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania. She also laid the foundations for Russia’s expansion into North America by beginning the colonization of Alaska. Although her Persian campaign was cut short by her death in 1796, she had already reshaped the geopolitical map of Eastern Europe.

She Revolutionized Education in Russia

Catherine was a strong advocate for education reform. In 1782, she commissioned a detailed study of international education systems, which informed the creation of a national public school network. By 1786, she introduced the Charter for Public Schools, establishing free, co-educational primary and secondary schools throughout the empire. Although the reach was limited, by the end of her reign more than 62,000 students were enrolled in 549 state-run institutions—an impressive start for a country still emerging from feudalism.

She Founded Russia’s First Institution for Women’s Education

Catherine believed that educating women was crucial to building a more enlightened society. In 1764, she founded the Smolny Institute in St. Petersburg—the first state-funded higher education institution for women in Russia and all of Europe. The following year, she established the Novodevichy Institute in Moscow for girls from non-noble families. She also expanded orphanages and boarding schools and helped Moscow University become a global academic center. Her efforts laid the groundwork for women’s education in Russia.

She Overhauled Russia’s Administrative System

Governing a vast and diverse empire required a more efficient bureaucracy. In 1775, Catherine issued the “Statute for the Administration of the Provinces,” which reorganized Russia into provinces and districts based on population size. Each province was equipped with its own police, judiciary, and administration, overseen by a governor who reported directly to the Empress. By the end of her reign, Russia had 50 provinces and nearly 500 districts, doubling the number of civil servants and significantly increasing local administrative budgets.

She Modernized Trade and Currency

Catherine recognized that a strong economy was key to sustaining her empire. In 1785, she issued the Charter to the Nobility, freeing the gentry from compulsory service and giving them more rights. The same year, she introduced the Charter to the Towns, aiming to empower the middle class and curtail the influence of aristocrats. She improved commercial laws and launched infrastructure projects to boost communication and trade. To solve a silver shortage, she founded the Assignation Bank in 1769, which issued Russia’s first paper currency—the assignation ruble.

She Helped Launch Russia’s First Economic Society

In 1765, Catherine supported the creation of the Free Economic Society in St. Petersburg, established by wealthy landowners led by Count Grigory Orlov. This was Russia’s first scholarly economic society and one of the first of its kind in the world. Catherine provided funding and actively encouraged its research. The Society promoted modern agricultural techniques and spread Enlightenment ideas, drawing influence from leading European economists like Arthur Young and Jacques Necker.

She Championed the Russian Enlightenment

Catherine saw herself as a child of the Enlightenment. She corresponded with European philosophers such as Voltaire and Diderot, and she authored plays, fiction, and memoirs herself. Her reign saw an explosion of cultural development, including the expansion of theaters, art, science, and literature. She founded the Hermitage Museum, which began as her private art collection and has grown into one of the largest museums in the world. She also supported the founding of the Bolshoi and Maly Theaters, anchoring Russia’s emergence as a cultural superpower.

Bonus: The Nakaz – Her Vision for a Just Society

In 1767, Catherine wrote the Nakaz («Instruction») for the Legislative Commission, which was convened to draft a new Russian legal code. In it, she advocated for the equality of all citizens under the law and argued against torture and the death penalty. Though the commission never completed the code, the Nakaz became a symbol of progressive political thought in Russia and even influenced Western legal thinkers—including those behind the U.S. Constitution.

Final Thoughts

Catherine the Great was far more than just a monarch—she was a reformer, strategist, patron of the arts, and visionary. Her reign not only reshaped the map of Europe but also transformed the cultural and intellectual landscape of Russia. From education to law, warfare to literature, her legacy continues to influence the country centuries later.

Her story is a powerful reminder of how leadership, vision, and an unrelenting drive for progress can shape the destiny of a nation.