Final answer:
Catherine the Great gained power through inheritance and implemented policies and reforms during her reign as Empress of Russia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Catherine the Great came to power in Russia through the method of inheritance. She inherited the throne from her husband, Peter III, after his assassination in 1762. This event allowed Catherine to ascend to the throne and become the Empress of Russia.
Once in power, Catherine implemented a number of policies and reforms aimed at modernizing Russia and consolidating her own power. She implemented educational reforms, established new laws, expanded territory through military campaigns, and promoted cultural and intellectual development.
However, Catherine the Great's rule remained authoritarian. While she did introduce some reforms and supported the enlightenment ideals, she ultimately resisted broader political and social reforms that would have challenged her own authority.