Russian Rulers History Podcast

Napoleon continues to menace the Russian border until he decides to invade in 1812. Things don't go as planned.

Alexander I takes over for his murdered father Paul I. Napoleon is charging through Europe threatening Russia.

Serfdom enslaved 90% of the Russian population which represented 54 million people by the time Alexander I took the throne. Today's episode looks at historical evidence of the plight of these people.

With Catherine the Great dead, her son Paul I sought to reverse all that she had accomplished.

Catherine, now in her sixties takes her last breath ushering in the reign of her son, Paul I.

Empress Catherine, having taken control of the Crimea, sets off on a grand tour of the newly conquered land.

Catherine, now in her 50's marries off Paul yet again and is given the heir's she so desperately wanted.

In another Cliff Notes version of the podcast, we review the time from Dmitri Donskoi to the birth of Ivan the Terrible.

Tired of her brainless lover, Catherine brings to court the love of her life, Grigory Potemkin.

The greatest peasant rebellion in Russian history, led by Pugachev sends shivers down Empress Catherine's spine.

On April 30, 2010, I started this podcast, now one year later, I will recount the episodes from the beginning in a condensed form.

Catherine, now in firm control, becomes the first Russian to be innoculated for smallpox. She also starts a war with the Ottoman Empire.

Catherine, fresh off the coup d'etat which brought her to power, consolidates her tenuous hold on the throne.

Catherine, now Grand Duchess of Russia, plots to take control once Empress Elizabeth dies.

Sophie, now baptized Catherine Alexeyevna, begins to understand that her life was not to be an easy one. She was to find out who the Russians really were.