How Did Catherine II Characterize Russia

Catherine II was the Empress of Russia during the late 1700s. She came into power in the 1760s when she deposed her husband Peter III and took over his throne. Catherine, who is often referred to as “The Great”, acquired this title because of all the accomplishments she achieved during her reign. She conquered many lands and expanded the physical size and wealth of Russia. She helped integrate European and Asian people within her empire, creating unity. She strongly supported education for her people, especially women. Catherine helped turn Russia from a backwards country to a more modern and civilized country, on par with many of the European nations of this time. She learned to speak and write in Russian even though she was born German.
She eventually was accepted and in many cases, actually loved, as a Russian for all she’d done for the Empire. Catherine the Great had a major impact on Russia and continues to impact how the world looks upon Russia to this day. She was one of the most intellectual and progressive rulers during the 1700s. She expanded and successfully unified the massive empire. Catherine was also able to bring education to her people and modernize Russia.

Catherine helped unify Russia from one side of the empire to the other, from Europe to Asia. Catherine unified Russia by inspiring nationalism. She made very diverse people proud to be Russian through her accomplishments which benefitted her country and led to increased patriotism. “Relying on a forceful intelligence and an iron well, she started to organize and civilize the mixture of Asian and European peoples that made up most of the population” (Maguire 27). Catherine was able to create a sense of unity within the two completely different 2 sides of her Empire through government and education.
In order for her to run her empire smoothly, she would need her people to become united as one. Her belief in Russia as one unified country encouraged Russians to learn, grow and integrate the different aspects of European and Asian culture within the Russian borders.

Catherine was also known for her success in managing foreign affairs. She was a strategic military leader as well, which was highly unusual for a woman of that time. She expanded Russia’s physical size significantly by conquering and peacefully annexing other lands. When needed she acquired lands like a true military leader, “The battle was bloody, but the Russians managed to capture the supposedly impregnable Ottoman stronghold... All of the west Ukrainian Black Sea coast was now in Russian hands” (Catherine Seizes the Black Sea). Catherine was also diplomatic and able to control new lands by conquering and compromising. She conquered Poland, divvying it up for Russia, Prussia and Austria. She also achieved a peace treaty with the Ottoman empire. She was now able to access the Black sea, giving Russia more shipping routes and naval military strength. These strategic
moves earned Catherine and her empire a lot of respect as well as more wealth and resources due to her access to new lands.

Catherine had a lifelong love of learning. She was an avid reader and educated herself on all the philosophies of the day, especially those of the Enlightenment. Europe as a whole was prospering due to a new philosophical, intellectual and cultural movement and Catherine followed the changes with great interest. She thought an educated citizenship would 3 help Russia move up in the world’s opinion.
During Catherine’s reign, she established a network of national schools, standardizing the curriculum and extending education to most Russians. In 1786 Catherine issued the Statute of Schools for all Russia establishing a school system taught in the native Russian language for all children except serfs (Statute on National Schools). The establishment of an official decree ordering education for all changed the face of Russia forever. Catherine’s orders included the education of middle class Russians whose education had been largely ignored until this time. Women benefitted the most as girls were ordered to go to school for the first time ever. Prior to this, education was only for the nobility, taught by private tutors, and was not standardized. This benefitted her people as they were now able to be educated and learn new philosophies and ways of living of instead of the same old feudal system that had been in place for hundreds of years. This forward thinking stance on education was even rarer because at this time, European peoples were just starting to think about education for all, so for once Russia was leading the way with Europe instead of following.. Catherine believed an educated population would improve the Russian people’s hearts and minds and help foster a sense of civic duty and
patriotism.

Catherine truly earned the title Catherine The Great. At a time when most countries were led by men, she pulled Russia into the modern world as a female leader of her country. Her military and diplomatic accomplishments helped Russia grow to be an even bigger power on the world stage and helped unify the extremely diverse Russian people. Catherine’s belief and love of education helped bring everyday Russians into the modern age on par with Europe. Catherine’s achievements during her reign significantly altered Russia forever, putting her beloved country on the path towards becoming a world superpower in the future.