What was the primary purpose of the silk road? a) to spread christianity throughout the region b) to spread democracy throughout the region c) to engage in trade with other nations d) to spread customs throughout the area what did catherine the great do to expand russia a) she sent explorers to establish settlements across siberia b) she found a new capital, st. petersburg c) she was the first ruler to attempt to westernize russia d) she conquered the black sea coast and parts of poland which of the following is a reason why russia lost power in the early 1900s? a) it's army was too large b) unrest among the poor grew c) russia had a weak king d) russia failing to westernize