Catherine the Great Biography
Cathrine believed that________ and __________ were important?
art and sciences
What did the Cossack Yemelyan Pugachev claim?
he claimed that Peter III was not dead and that he was Peter III
Who did Catherine send troops to help suppress a revolt that aimed at reducing Russia's influence in Poland?
her former lover, Polish king Stanislaw
usurper
someone who seized another's power illegally
Catherine had to concern herself with a revolt led by ____________?
the Cossack Yemelyan Pugachev
What did Catherine II create in June 1767 to revise the old laws in accordance with the "Instruction?"
the Legislative Commission
Westernization
the process of changing to western ideas and traditions
What flourished with Catherine the Great's encouragement?
theatre, music and painting
How did a number of influential people view Catherine the Great's son, Paul?
As the rightful ruler
Where were Russian merchants ships allowed the right of sailing?
Black Sea and through the Dardanelles
Russia's legal system was based on an old and inefficient ____________, dating from 1649?
Code of Laws
What did Catherine II do during her early reign?
-Cathrine had ambitious plans regarding domestic and foreign affairs -attention was directed to securing her position -viewed her son Paul as the rightful ruler -Cathrine took every opportunity to win favor among the nobility and the military -understood that Russia needed an extended period of peace in order to concentrate on domestic (homeland) affairs -peace could only be gained through cautious foreign policy
How did Catherine the Great react to those who wanted her son, Paul to rule?
-To trade to win their favor among the nobility and the military -she struck sharply at those who sought to replace her
After the Pugachev uprising, what did Cathrine II do?
-directed her time and talent to domestic affairs (esp. govt function) -expanded the country's educational system
Important accomplishments of Catherine the Great
-expanded the Russian empire -improved administration -energetically pursued the policy of Westernization -Russia grew strong and rivaled the great powers of Europe and Asia
What did "The Instruction" do?
-it caused a sensation because it called for a legal system far in advance of the times -Proposed a system providing equal protection under law for all persons -emphasized prevention of criminal acts rather than harsh punishment for them
More Characteristics of Catherine the Great
-liked novels, plays and verse -was particularly interested in the writings of the major figures of the French Enlightenment
Characteristics of Catherine the Great
-loveless marriage did not overshadow her intellectual and political interests -sharp-witted and cultural young woman - read widely, particularly in French
Who did Cathrine place in charge of foreign affairs?
Count Nikita Panin
3 figures of the French Enlightenment
Diderot (1713-1784) Voltaire (1694-1778) Montesquieu (1689-1755)
Cathrine's rule was greatly influenced by the ideas of ____________?
Enlightenment
What did peace talks with Turkey lead to?
It lead to Russia receiving its first foothold on the Black Sea coast
Some tens of thousands were following Cossack Yemelyan Pugachev and the uprising was within threatening range of _________________
Moscow
Catherine II aka Catherine the Great
Russian empress that reigned from 1762 to 1796
Why did Catherine II believe arts and sciences were important?
She saw them as a means by which Russia could earn a reputation as a center of civilization
Why did Russia need an extended period of peace?
So Catherine could concentrate on domestic (homeland) affairs
Under Catherine the Great's direction what was turned into one of the world's most dazzling capitals?
St. Petersburg
What new legal system did Catherine propose?
The Instruction
True or False. It was in the spirt of the Enlightenment that Catherine undertook her first major reform.
True
Two years later, after long negotiations, Catherine concluded peace talks with _________________ that allowed Russia its first foothold on the Black Sea Coasts.
Turkey
Who joined in by supporting the revolution in Poland?
Turkey and Austria
Pugachev's defeat & capture required sever major expeditions but it led to ____________________
a feeling of government security
Dardanelles
a key waterway in Europe
in 1786, Catherine II created ______________________
a large scale educational system, It was unsuccessful but did add to the number of elementary and secondary schools. Other parts of the plan were implemented after she died
The French Enlightenment
a period of cultural and idealistic transformation in France
What did a number of influential persons consider Catherine II or Catherine the Great to be?
a usurper
What happened to the Legislative Commission at the end of 1768?
it made little progress and was suspended by Catherine
By 1764 Cathrine felt secure enough to work on _________?
reform (improving social conditions)
