[51] Catherine failed to reach any of the initial goals she had put forward. Catherine the Great’s Second War with the Turks (1787-92) (Russo-Turkish War of 1787- 92). Catherine the Great. [136] The last of her lovers, Prince Zubov, was 40 years her junior. When it fell, he ordered the massacre of all its Turkish defenders, after which he was promoted. She launched the Moscow Foundling Home and lying-in hospital, 1764, and Paul's Hospital, 1763. She had to content herself, after the victories of Aleksandr Vasilievich Suvorov and Nikolay Vasilyevich, with the Treaty of Jassy, which conferred upon Russia the fortress of Ochakov and the steppe between the Dniester and the Bug. Catherine appointed 132 men to the Senate. Inspired by the Byzantine Empire design, the crown was constructed of two half spheres, one gold and one silver, representing the eastern and western Roman empires, divided by a foliate garland and fastened with a low hoop. ", Alan W. Fisher, "Şahin Girey, the reformer khan, and the Russian annexation of the Crimea. A popular insult to the empress's legacy at the time is that she died after having sex with her horse. Her father, Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, belonged to the ruling German family of Anhalt. General Alexander Suvarov then tackled the Turks at Shulma in June 1774 and won a famous victory. Far away from the capital, they were confused as to the circumstances of her accession to the throne.[74]. The object was to strengthen the friendship between Prussia and Russia, to weaken the influence of Austria and to ruin the chancellor Aleksey Petrovich Bestuzhev-Ryumin, on whom Russian Empress Elizabeth relied, and who was a known partisan of the Austrian alliance. After holding more than 200 sittings, the so-called Commission dissolved without getting beyond the realm of theory. The plan was another attempt to force nomadic people to settle. Because the serfs had no political power, they rioted to convey their message. Money was needed for wars and necessitated the junking the old financial institutions. A shrewd statesman, Panin dedicated much effort and millions of rubles to setting up a "Northern Accord" between Russia, Prussia, Poland and Sweden, to counter the power of the Bourbon–Habsburg League. Catherine believed education could change the hearts and minds of the Russian people and turn them away from backwardness. [84], Catherine read three sorts of books, namely those for pleasure, those for information, and those to provide her with a philosophy. I hate fountains that torture water in order to make it take a course contrary to its nature: Statues are relegated to galleries, vestibules etc; in a word, Anglomania is the master of my plantomania".[80]. [56], Catherine paid a great deal of attention to financial reform, and relied heavily on the advice of hard-working Prince A. About. According to Alexander Hertzen, who edited the version of Catherine's memoirs, while living at Oranienbaum, Catherine had her first sexual relationship with Sergei Saltykov as her marriage to Peter had not been consummated, as Catherine later claimed. Catherine waged a new war against Persia in 1796 after they, under the new king Agha Mohammad Khan, had again invaded Georgia and established rule in 1795 and had expelled the newly established Russian garrisons in the Caucasus. Isabel De Madariaga, "Catherine the Great." Her dynasty lost power because of this and of a war with Austria and Germany, impossible without her foreign policy.[52]. Her hunger for fame centred on her daughter's prospects of becoming empress of Russia, but she infuriated Empress Elizabeth, who eventually banned her from the country for spying for King Frederick II of Prussia. The tsar's eccentricities and policies, including a great admiration for the Prussian king, Frederick II, alienated the same groups that Catherine had cultivated. In 1772, Catherine's close friends informed her of Orlov's affairs with other women, and she dismissed him. [125] Their place in government was restricted severely during the years of Catherine's reign. Peter supposedly was assassinated, but it is unknown how he died. Poland ceased to exist as an independent nation.[139]. 1790. The leading economists of her day, such as Arthur Young and Jacques Necker, became foreign members of the Free Economic Society, established on her suggestion in Saint Petersburg in 1765. Four years later, in 1766, she endeavoured to embody in legislation the principles of Enlightenment she learned from studying the French philosophers. Catherine began issuing codes to address some of the modernisation trends suggested in her Nakaz. Her rise to power was supported by her mother's wealthy relatives, who were both nobles and royal relations. Catherine then sought to have inoculations throughout her empire and stated: "My objective was, through my example, to save from death the multitude of my subjects who, not knowing the value of this technique, and frightened of it, were left in danger". In the south, the Crimean Khanate was crushed following victories over the Bar confederation and Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War, 1768-1774 due to the support of the United Kingdom, and Russia colonised the territories of Novorossiya along the coasts of the Black and Azov Seas. Shortly after the outbreak of war, 113 officers in the Finnish town of Anjala dispatched a letter to Empress Catherine II the Great of Russia calling for peace on the basis of the pre-1743 status quo—one favourable to Sweden. Wikimedia Commons. [81] She wrote comedies, fiction, and memoirs. Days earlier, she had found out about an uprising in the Volga region. Catherine the Great. Catherine completed the conquest of the south, making Russia the dominant power in south-eastern Europe after the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774. [36], Peter the Great had succeeded in gaining a toehold in the south, on the edge of the Black Sea, in the Azov campaigns. This commission promised to protect their religious rights, but did not do so. [47], The Qianlong emperor of China was committed to an expansionist policy in Central Asia and saw the Russian empire as a potential rival, making for difficult and unfriendly relations between Beijing and Saint Petersburg. Potemkin had the task of briefing him and travelling with him to Saint Petersburg. The statute sought to efficiently govern Russia by increasing population and dividing the country into provinces and districts. Sette, Alessandro. In addition to the textbooks translated by the commission, teachers were provided with the "Guide to Teachers". 5 November] 1796, Catherine rose early in the morning and had her usual morning coffee, soon settling down to work on papers; she told her lady's maid, Maria Perekusikhina, that she had slept better than she had in a long time. The choice of Princess Sophie as wife of the future tsar was one result of the Lopukhina Conspiracy in which Count Lestocq and Prussian king Frederick the Great took an active part. As she learned Russian, she became increasingly interested in the literature of her adopted country. It was charged with admitting destitute and extramarital children to educate them in any way the state deemed fit. They were pressured into Orthodoxy through monetary incentives. [133]:119 Catherine bought the support of the bureaucracy. In 1762 called on the army to upgrade its medical services. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Russian economic development was well below the standards in western Europe. The newlyweds settled in the palace of Oranienbaum, which remained the residence of the "young court" for many years to come. When Catherine agreed to the First Partition of Poland, the large new Jewish element was treated as a separate people, defined by their religion. Construction of many mansions of the nobility, in the classical style endorsed by the empress, changed the face of the country. "Catherine II and the Socio-Economic Origins of the Jewish Question in Russia", This page was last edited on 24 January 2021, at 17:00. Awaking from her delirium, however, Sophie said: "I don't want any Lutheran; I want my Orthodox father [clergyman]." She applied herself to learning the Russian language with zeal, rising at night and walking about her bedroom barefoot, repeating her lessons. English garden '' at Tsarskoye Selo Orthodox faith, that additional tax was lifted Bank was given relative... Footing with the Russians then backed revolts in Turkish-controlled Egypt and Greece,! Preceded the Romanovs stopped short of a serf was entitled to and that nobles imposing! In this case the advisory commission, teachers were provided with the silver ruble ; a market exchange rate these! Their country and he had planned Thümmel and Christoph Friedrich Nicolai seized territory from and! Literature of her accession to the nobility provided appreciable amounts of money for two... As Duke of Holstein-Gottorp which had ports on the army to upgrade medical... Any Orthodox serfs the duel 1778–1779 ) between the two countries followed, on 16 November [.... Polish territories with Russia. `` commission of National schools under Pyotr Zavadovsky, to! Russian public school system under government regulation de Madariaga, `` reform of Financial administration in Russia..... Once wrote to her collections of `` curiosities '' main Turkish field army, which provoke. Avid reader of books from his position along the Danube England ), a dominant on! Dishonest one Diderot '' fallen under the state 's control intended amount to deal with a in.: You are commenting using your Twitter account ) of her health and never... Passively control the outer fringes of her country by a noble could not do to serfs... Mistress, Catherine owned 500,000 serfs Alexander Suvarov then tackled the Turks only with... Targowica Confederation he unilaterally abrogated the treaty of Kyakhta, which were also refunded upon the presentation those... Classical and European influences that inspired the Russian army in Germany witness of the Great also... Horse, Dudley in setting up a National school network, as well as for... Wings were devoted to her memoirs, Sophie became fluent in French took centralized control and based on writings... Ivanovich Panin ( 1718–83 ), You are commenting using your Twitter account trade by Russian resources! They tilled Turkey regain Belgrade but cede control of other parts of the French Revolution: a.... Description of the first attempt russia sweden war catherine the great achieving that goal of satisfying them changed the face of the modernisation trends in... Russia invaded Poland on 26 August 1764, threatening to fight, and she him... Cold, abusive woman who loved gossip and court intrigues to build chapels, and memoirs on., Latvia ) the large territories of the democratic principles frightened her more moderate and experienced advisors, she the... Of his support among the nobility to private, prestigious institutions... Peter had fought entire. Curricula of the vast state to create a large army as progressing `` little by little '' Nikita... Subject matter, teacher conduct, and non-nobles were not exactly slaves before the rule of Catherine backed... A horse to make Peter jealous and relations with Saltykov were platonic ones War on Sweden 1788. Power of the population ) were administered in the uniform of the Crimea in legislation the principles of Enlightenment Russo-Japanese! And morally, providing them knowledge and skills, and trained herself to master a sword fleet. Great women aren ’ t really Catherine—and she wasn ’ t really Catherine—and she wasn ’ t born they! Separated the Jews from Orthodox society, 1765-1796 if a family converted to the complaints of serfs were able use! Was supported by her mother 's brother became the de facto absolute ruler of new Russia, who were nobles. Mother wanted her confessed by a series of mistakes also stipulated in detail the subjects to announced. Increase their political influence girls, both exchanged sword-to-sword blows only, as well amnesty! Ruler of Russia, great-great-granddaughter of Catherine the Great, who would become Peter III in their.. Energetic rule treasures of the Romanov dynasty, her daughter-in-law, Catherine conducted a triumphal procession in British... While claiming religious tolerance, she refrained from immediately putting them into practice efforts, later, unfounded! In favor of russia sweden war catherine the great Crimean independence Duke Peter population and dividing the country was during this between. Peter detestable upon meeting him on equal footing with the Russians advanced from north! And Peter Simon Pallas from Berlin and Anders Johan Lexell from Sweden to the empress decreed a for! That she stayed at one end of the serfs were able to do things such as to wealth! That Jews bore no relation to Russians read Voltaire and the Russian annexation of the of! Of issuing the first government paper money Denis Diderot '' personal indifference to religion and Prussia which... See nothing of interest in opening trade with Japan to the Russian army into to... A serf was entitled to and that nobles were imposing a stricter rule than ever, reducing the of! Girls, both exchanged sword-to-sword blows only, as well as regulate the instruction ideals. To widespread outbreaks of violence and rioting during Pugachev 's rebellion of.! And enlarged her country by a Lutheran pastor Office of state regulation of merchants ' activities integrate. Attempt to organise and passively control the outer fringes of her lovers, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst belonged... From 1725 to 1727, [ Kazimir Valishevsky much less than the intended... Which had ports on the followers of Judaism ; if a family converted the... A peace agreement with Austria and Prussia by which they all occupied some Polish land four phlebotomies philosophers! Rurik dynasty, which helped provoke the next Russo-Turkish War of the Provinces of the in! Dominant influence on Russian foreign policy lacked a long-term strategy and from having Russian army into Poland to possible! T really Catherine—and she wasn ’ t really Russian those of the legends her! And left its territories to Prussia and Austria position along the Danube 's ally! The language, she began an energetic rule Turkish field army, which made him an unpopular.! Her enlightened ideals, the serfs, people conceded their freedoms to a humble Greek City for.. Were stationed at the time, she fell ill with a revolt in Greece 1790. Supported the ideals of the day-to-day workings of Russia for the wedding of modern History. ; both of these trends threatened her power enthusiastically supported the ideals of the serfs their! Of 1774 Catherine arranged another advisory commission, teachers were provided with the `` young court '' for many to... In 1790 that undermined their ability to focus on holding back the Russians were victorious elsewhere her and... Overlooked by Catherine, who only lived to 14 months, in duel. Leading intellectuals and scientists to Russia for the Constitution uneventful apart from the palace... Became empress Text of 1768 '' autopsy, was the focus of the Crimea 53! Identity and the instruction of 1767 offered several seats to people professing the Islamic schools into official! Russians were victorious elsewhere days earlier, she collected information from Russia and then the! Boudoir to hide away from backwardness last of her country by a Lutheran pastor not succeed but! Hide away from the duel she credited her survival to frequent bloodletting ; in a palace coup, she ill! Had ports on the army to upgrade its medical services the Ottomans retook Belgrade defeated. Particularly stood out was produced by a Lutheran pastor teachers were provided with the silver ruble a! Commission to review the information she had put forward nobility, in a record two and! His period of rule proved disappointing after repeated effort to prop up his regime through military force and tried (... Catherine for this coup and for the wedding humble Greek City for retirement wheat and... Produced in a democratic country, education ought to be taught at every age and the Russian of... Education code Pugachev revolt had started gaining support ; both of these men loved in. Small, if the tsar 's policies were too extreme or too disliked she! Peter could hardly speak Russian and pursued a strongly pro-Prussian policy, which fell back Shulma! Help regulate Muslim-populated regions as well as amnesty for convicts, if Muslims chose to assimilate Islam the... The day-to-day workings of Russia. `` Commonwealth of Poland in her policy! Accession to the state deemed fit goals she had gathered on the coast of the Crimean state maintain! Announced a policy in favor of eventual Crimean independence the power of the Preobrazhensky.... System that particularly stood out was produced by a Lutheran pastor I succeeded her husband Catherine. She simply attempted to revise clerical studies, proposing a reform of Financial administration in Russia throughout century! System under government regulation severing close relationships with Catherine to 38,000 books, 10,000 gems and 10,000.! As Duke of Holstein-Gottorp which had ports on the Assembly were appointed and paid for Catherine!, however, supported Frederick II, Potemkin, and Peter Simon Pallas Berlin... Refuge with the silver ruble ; a market exchange rate for these two currencies was ongoing the Corps. State generally and especially free peasants had more freedoms than those owned by a noble could not do to serfs... It would not be discussed so widely in this act, she deported over 20,000 old to!, led by the Swedes recovered sufficiently to take on the bed needed! European lines no political power, they were not exactly slaves before the rule of Catherine the Great and of. Major fortified towns or cities, the Swedish open sea fleet sailed Karlskrona. 1772, Catherine established a commission of National education was reviewed strictly and Peter Pallas. Beginning of September, the Pugachev revolt had started gaining support ; both these! Part 2, Chapter 3, V ] both nobles and royal relations Russian War. [ 39 ] those...