Expansion Under Catherine the Great

Overview

• Catherine II of Russia oversaw significant territorial expansion, making Russia one of the largest Eurasian land empires.

Russo-Turkish Wars

• First Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774): Enabled Russia to gain territories along the Black Sea.

• Second Russo-Turkish War (1787-1792): Led to the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.

• Significance of Annexation:

  • Secured key trade routes through the Danube River.

Expansion Eastward

• Territory extended into the Ural Mountains and along the Caspian Sea.

• Establishing a protective barrier for agricultural settlements.

Partition of Poland

• Catherine allied with Prussia and Austria to participate in the Partition of Poland.

• Resulted in the division of Polish territory among the three countries.

• Poland remained fragmented until the 20th century.

Costs of Expansion

• Territorial expansion came with high costs:

  • Financial burden due to military engagements and governance of new territories.

  • Increased involvement in the political and military struggles concerning the Ottoman Empire, particularly in the Balkans.