Grace Bridges

World Cultures
Ms. Tavani
Block 4
Was Catherine II an Absolute Monarch?

Was Catherine II an Absolute Monarch? Yes, I do believe that Catherine II also known
as, Catherine the Great, was in fact an absolute monarchy. Catherine was born in Prussia, but
later ruled Russia. Her reign was known as Russias Golden Age because of her golden
achievements. The period of her ruling was also known as the Catherinian Era. I think she was
defiantly defined as an absolute ruler because she had control over the nobility, she had support
and control over the entire Russian military, and she had some major accomplishments all during
her time as empress. She improved, changed, and modernized Russia in many different ways.
From adding the country Crimea to Russias map (Peter I was not able to do this), to being part
of huge events that had changed Russian history forever.
To start off, Catherine II expanded Russia which is a major criteria for an absolute ruler.
She led her country into a political and cultural life of Europe. She had even become the most
renowned and was the longest serving female monarch of Russia (ruling from July 9
th
, 1762 until
her death November 17
th
, 1796). She was able to revitalize Russia, making the nation grow
stronger and larger. This made Russia have a new identity as one of the greatest powers in all of
Europe. Not only was her time of ruler extremely impressive, but she also helped her country
greatly in ways, that other passed rulers were not able to do. Catherine II was very powerful and
had much control over the people of Russia and the serf liberation of Russia. She saw and was
aware of the high point of serfdom. So she was involved and helped out with the serf liberation
by allowing the serfs have more freedom and increasing land in Russia. She established an
institute for education for women, too.
Many citizens of Russia and Europe liked the queen and supported her as she was in
charge of the empire. People supported her as she was viewed as an absolute ruler, which I agree
with. She had support from armies and people from the time she was crowned empress to the
time she passed away. Even though, she ordered her husband to be killed, she helped her nation
by finishing the work of Peter the Great. She strengthened many different systems in Russia and
was able to bring Enlightenment ideas to the table. Accomplishing territorial expansion and
westernizing really proved to me that she was for sure an absolute monarch.
People who may think that she is not an absolute ruler might say, she was evil that she
had her husband killed. And she appeased things. And didnt do much for the Russian Orthodox
Church (but she was still part of it). Even though, these statements are true, I think those are
such minor things compared to such amazing things she did for Russia.
Expansion was a huge contribution to her being an absolute ruler. She added greatly to
Russias borders during 1772 to 1795. In the Poland area, she added Crimea, divided Russia,
Prussia and Austria. Catherine showed Russias desire for leadership and ports, too. So as you
can see, I believe that Catherine II was indeed an absolute ruler. She expanded Russia, brought
censorship to her area, had creative ideas, and accomplished other things. Catherine II or
Catherine the Great was the foreign element in the Romanov dynasty that achieved establishing
strong links with Russia history and the history of the Romanov Tsars.