Catherine The Great's reign

Definition

Catherine the Great's reign refers to her rule over Russia from 1762 to 1796, during which she significantly modernized and expanded the Russian Empire. Her leadership marked a period of enlightenment, cultural flourishing, and territorial expansion, reflecting both continuity and change within 18th-century states as she embraced Western ideas while maintaining autocratic control.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Catherine the Great ascended to the throne after a coup that removed her husband, Peter III, and she became one of the longest-reigning female rulers in history.
2. She implemented numerous reforms in government and education, established the Smolny Institute for noble girls, and promoted the arts and sciences.
3. Catherine expanded Russian territory significantly, notably through the partitions of Poland and wars against the Ottoman Empire, enhancing Russia's status as a major European power.
4. Despite her enlightened ideals, Catherine maintained an autocratic rule, suppressing dissent and enforcing strict social hierarchies, particularly through serfdom.
5. Catherine faced challenges such as Pugachev's Rebellion, which highlighted the tensions between her reforms and the realities of peasant life in Russia.

Review Questions

• How did Catherine the Great balance Enlightenment ideas with her autocratic rule during her reign?
  • Catherine the Great embraced many Enlightenment ideas, promoting education, arts, and legal reforms while maintaining her absolute power. She implemented some changes that reflected Enlightenment principles, like reorganizing local government and modernizing Russian laws. However, she also suppressed dissent and relied on noble support to maintain control, demonstrating a careful balance between progressive policies and traditional autocracy.
• Evaluate the impact of territorial expansion during Catherine the Great's reign on the Russian Empire's status in Europe.
  • The territorial expansion under Catherine significantly bolstered Russia's influence in Europe. Her successful wars against the Ottoman Empire and participation in the partitions of Poland greatly increased Russian landholdings. This not only enhanced Russia's military power but also allowed for greater access to trade routes and resources, establishing Russia as a formidable player on the European stage and altering the balance of power.
• Analyze how Pugachev's Rebellion reflects the complexities of social change during Catherine the Great's reign.
  • Pugachev's Rebellion highlights the contradictions of social change during Catherine’s reign. While she pursued Enlightenment ideals and enacted some reforms for the nobility, she largely maintained oppressive systems like serfdom. The rebellion demonstrated widespread dissatisfaction among peasants who felt neglected by reforms that primarily benefited the elite. This uprising not only challenged Catherine’s authority but also illustrated the limits of her progressive agenda amidst deep-rooted social inequalities.

Related terms

Enlightenment: An intellectual movement in the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, influencing Catherine’s policies and reforms.

Serfdom: A system of forced labor that bound peasants to land and their landlords, which Catherine continued to uphold despite her reform efforts.

Pugachev's Rebellion: A massive peasant uprising in 1773-1775 against Catherine's rule, driven by discontent with serfdom and the harsh conditions faced by peasants.