Catherine the Great implemented several policies and actions to expand Russia's empire during her reign from 1762 to 1796. Some key initiatives included:
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Territorial Expansion through War: Catherine engaged in several successful military campaigns, notably against the Ottoman Empire and Poland, which resulted in significant territorial gains for Russia. The Russo-Turkish Wars helped expand Russian territory in the Black Sea region.
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Partitions of Poland: Catherine played a crucial role in the partitions of Poland in 1772, 1793, and 1795, through which Russia, along with Austria and Prussia, divided Polish territory among themselves, effectively eliminating Poland as an independent state.
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Colonization and Settlement Policies: Catherine encouraged the settlement of various areas in Siberia and the Volga region, promoting colonization efforts that helped expand Russian influence in these territories.
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Diplomatic Alliances and Treaties: Catherine used diplomacy effectively to secure favorable treaties and alliances that facilitated territorial expansion and solidified Russia's status as a major European power.
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Administrative Reforms: She implemented administrative reforms that improved governance in newly acquired territories, which helped integrate these areas into the Russian Empire effectively.
These actions exemplified Catherine the Great's ambitions and strategies for expanding Russia's empire, making her one of the most significant rulers in Russian history in terms of territorial expansion.
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