Talking Strategy S4E9: Catherine the Great: Russia’s Black Sea Expansion
Oct 24, 2023
Dr. Kelly O’Neill, a Harvard historian and author of Claiming Crimea, dives into the life of Catherine the Great, a formidable figure who seized power and expanded Russia’s territory. She discusses Catherine's strategic marriages and military conquests, which extended Russia's influence to the Black Sea and beyond. O’Neill highlights Catherine's ambitions, including her dream to reclaim Constantinople. The conversation also touches on the complexities of her rule as a woman in power and how her legacy still resonates in today's geopolitics.
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Catherine's Strategic Identity Adaptation
- Catherine transformed from a minor German princess to an Orthodox Russian-speaking empress.
- She adapted her identity to navigate Russian court politics and seize power effectively.
Catherine’s Opportunistic Strategy
- Catherine combined opportunism with holistic strategic thinking.
- Her adaptability allowed her to integrate domestic policy, ideology, and diplomacy effectively.
Russia's Multi-Directional Strategy
- Russia’s 18th-century strategy involved balancing interests across four directions.
- The Ottoman Empire remained Russia's primary adversary, especially in southern expansion ambitions.
