IMG_5595
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.