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Catherine was the first woman to rule Imperial Russia, opening the legal path for a century almost entirely dominated by women. In foreign affairs, Russia joined the Austro-Spanish league to reluctantly defend the interests of Catherine's son-in-law, the Duke of Holstein, against England. Catherine continued Peter's work in instituting the Russian Academy of Sciences, gave her name to Catherinehof near St. Petersburg, and built the first bridges in the new capital. Catherine's policies were reasonable and cautious. Catherine the Great was also an Enlightened Monarch. She promoted greater educational and judicial reforms. She was also known for completing the westernization of the nobles, which Peter The Great had began. __ Catherine the Great __. About. 19 Apr. 2009 .