Catherine turns factional politics into durable power

Peter III pursued reforms but alienated the political constituencies needed to sustain them, losing his throne after only 186 days. Catherine retained useful policies while proving far more adept at coalition building, coercion, and the manipulation of factional interests. Ending compulsory military service for nobles pleased the aristocracy but also weakened its collective connection to the armed forces. That allowed Catherine to fill military service with selected loyalists and made the army a firmer base of personal power.