She Made and Removed a King
Catherine the Great’s romantic relationships extended to politics, as seen in her connection with Stanislaw Poniatowski. Favoring him as a lover, Catherine ensured his election as the King of Poland after the death of Augustus III. However, when Poniatowski pursued reforms and sought independence from Russia, Catherine forced him to abdicate. The episode highlighted the dual nature of Catherine’s relationships – offering rewards for loyalty but demonstrating the potential for severe consequences if loyalty waned.
Catherine’s ability to shape political outcomes through personal connections underscored the complexities of her rule.
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