Chapter 18 Part 5 Russia: Catherine the Great

One of the Greatest rulers in European History But the least enlightened of the Enlightened Despots But the least enlightened of the Enlightened Despots Was a German Princess who became queen after the death of her husband, Peter III (1763) Was a German Princess who became queen after the death of her husband, Peter III (1763) She took part in the assassination She took part in the assassination Was helped by army general (her lover) Was helped by army general (her lover) Peter III dropped the ball in 7 Yrs’ War Peter III dropped the ball in 7 Yrs’ War Peter the Great had abolished succession of hereditary tsars (he strangled his son) Peter the Great had abolished succession of hereditary tsars (he strangled his son)

Called Herself “Daughter of the Enlightenment” Refused to speak German or Russian at court…only French Refused to speak German or Russian at court…only French She loved French culture She loved French culture Diderot (The Encyclopedia) lived at her court for a time Diderot (The Encyclopedia) lived at her court for a time

1773 The Pugachev Rebellion Eugene Pugachev, a Cossack soldier led a huge serf uprising Eugene Pugachev, a Cossack soldier led a huge serf uprising Demanded an end to serfdom, taxes, army service Demanded an end to serfdom, taxes, army service All over Southwestern Russia, landlords and government officials were murdered All over Southwestern Russia, landlords and government officials were murdered Catherine needed support of the nobles and gave them absolute control over serfs Catherine needed support of the nobles and gave them absolute control over serfs

New Restrictions on Serfs Extended serfdom to new areas including the Ukraine Extended serfdom to new areas including the Ukraine 1785 Catherine freed nobles from taxes and state service 1785 Catherine freed nobles from taxes and state service Catherine confiscated land from Russian Orthodox Church and gave it to favorites Catherine confiscated land from Russian Orthodox Church and gave it to favorites

Catherine the Great Nobles reached the height of position under Catherine while peasants were worse off than ever before Nobles reached the height of position under Catherine while peasants were worse off than ever before

Imported Western Culture into Russia Culturally Russia gained respect of western European countries Culturally Russia gained respect of western European countries Architects, artists, writers, musicians were all invited to Russia Architects, artists, writers, musicians were all invited to Russia

Educational Reforms Catherine supported the first private printing presses Catherine supported the first private printing presses Before Catherine a few dozen books were published in Russia Before Catherine a few dozen books were published in Russia After Catherine about 400 published annually After Catherine about 400 published annually Established a school for noble girls Established a school for noble girls

Other Reforms Restricted the use of torture Restricted the use of torture Limited religious toleration Limited religious toleration No more persecution of Old Believers No more persecution of Old Believers Jews were granted civil equality Jews were granted civil equality

The Russian Jews Had suffered much persecution in the past Had suffered much persecution in the past Could not be nobles, join guilds, hold political offices Could not be nobles, join guilds, hold political offices Could not work in agriculture or trades Could not work in agriculture or trades Were also resented for usuary Were also resented for usuary

Also Strengthened local governments led by elected officials Strengthened local governments led by elected officials BUT The crown was not obligated to accept recommendations from councils BUT The crown was not obligated to accept recommendations from councils Had constitutions written but never used Had constitutions written but never used Potemkin Villages Potemkin Villages

Catherine’s Reforms Only the state and the nobility benefitted from Catherine’s “reforms” Only the state and the nobility benefitted from Catherine’s “reforms” Nobles gained legal and financial security from the state Nobles gained legal and financial security from the state Serfdom was even more severe: Nobles had complete (life and death) control over serfs Serfdom was even more severe: Nobles had complete (life and death) control over serfs Only Nobles could own land Only Nobles could own land

Territorial Growth under Catherine Annexed Polish territory with the 3 partitions of Poland in 1772, 1793, 1795 Annexed Polish territory with the 3 partitions of Poland in 1772, 1793, 1795 Gained Ottoman land in Crimea that was controlled by Tartars Gained Ottoman land in Crimea that was controlled by Tartars New lands to nobles to earn their loyalty New lands to nobles to earn their loyalty