Catherine The Great Dreams
Dana Mathews
HIS-112-02 World Civilization II
March 31, 2011
Catherine the Great Dreams in Colors of Enlightenment The seventeen hundreds were filled with unrest, revolts and the spread of new ideas such as the Enlightenment of society. A society first authored by the French philosophes and spread by means of the cultural writings of Montesquieu and Rousseau. In such a time of turmoil some European rulers took note and understood the need for reform within their governments, reform that hoped to centralize the power and control over their lands, while also providing structures to serve the needs of the people. Leaders who were open to these new ideas of thought hoped to gain the support of the masses and provide their country with an economically sound future. Catherine the Great of Russia was one such leader. Her understanding and appreciation of the Enlightenment movement lead her to commission a review of this new theory in governing and to outline policies which could promote the future of the Russian people. As well-meaning as Catherine’s intentions were, her efforts were quickly to be cut short and mostly undone. Catherine the Great …show more content…
Catherine’s vision of Enlightened Absolutism would serve the people’s needs through her “Proposed Code of Laws”, and in return the people would support her policies of military expansion and the widening of the country’s borders to ensure economic growth and commerce for the future. In addition, the planned equal distribution of the countries tax burdens would equally inform the masses that the Monarchy was making an attempt to bring about change. This change, along with newly granted rights and freedoms would hopefully instill a feeling of allegiance in the hearts of those Catherine ruled, thereby securing the Monarchy’s
HIS-112-02 World Civilization II
March 31, 2011
Catherine the Great Dreams in Colors of Enlightenment The seventeen hundreds were filled with unrest, revolts and the spread of new ideas such as the Enlightenment of society. A society first authored by the French philosophes and spread by means of the cultural writings of Montesquieu and Rousseau. In such a time of turmoil some European rulers took note and understood the need for reform within their governments, reform that hoped to centralize the power and control over their lands, while also providing structures to serve the needs of the people. Leaders who were open to these new ideas of thought hoped to gain the support of the masses and provide their country with an economically sound future. Catherine the Great of Russia was one such leader. Her understanding and appreciation of the Enlightenment movement lead her to commission a review of this new theory in governing and to outline policies which could promote the future of the Russian people. As well-meaning as Catherine’s intentions were, her efforts were quickly to be cut short and mostly undone. Catherine the Great …show more content…
Catherine’s vision of Enlightened Absolutism would serve the people’s needs through her “Proposed Code of Laws”, and in return the people would support her policies of military expansion and the widening of the country’s borders to ensure economic growth and commerce for the future. In addition, the planned equal distribution of the countries tax burdens would equally inform the masses that the Monarchy was making an attempt to bring about change. This change, along with newly granted rights and freedoms would hopefully instill a feeling of allegiance in the hearts of those Catherine ruled, thereby securing the Monarchy’s