Question

How did Catherine the Great become Czarina?

Answer 1

Her Husband Tsar Peter III died.

Explanation:

Peter III was Catherine's husband and the previous Tsar of Russia. Peter was an incapable ruler and was unpopular because of his Prussian style of leadership and his cultural differences from his subjects.

Peter was not expected to ascend the throne of Russia and so grew up in Germany as a duke, because both his parents had died. Upon his Aunts death, he ascended the throne barely speaking a word of Russian. This led to him quickly being ostracised by the nobles who led a coup in favour of his wife Catherine.

Peter was later killed.

Catherine, however, was very capable and likeable and thus became tsarina herself. The term Czarina (Tsarina) also refers to the widow of a Tsar which she was.