Catherine the Great is one of the most infamous, powerful, and beloved rulers of all time. But she did not get to that throne by chance. Nay, she saw her opening and went directly through it—but not without some conspiracy. She committed her miraculously bloodless coup with both friends, lovers, and with those she won over with her political genius and philosophy (and a promise of vodka).

Sources:

1.    Henri Troyat, Catherine the Great, 1994.  (If you enjoyed this episode, I highly recommend this book, it’s very entertaining and thorough) 

2.    YouTube, Biographics : Catherine the Great: Russia’s Greatest Empress 

3.    YouTube, Exploring History : How Catherine the Great Came to Power 

4.    "Catherine the Great and the Coup that Made Her Empress,” History.co.uk  

5.    Zoé Oldenbourg-Idalie, “Catherine the Great Empress of Russia,” Britannica.com