Despite her achievement, Catherine the Great (Catherine II) had her share of failures. These included Ruthlessness and the Emergence of Assignation rubles.
Ruthlessness of Catherine the Great
Just as her ambition became vanity, Catherine II’s admirers sometimes noticed that she lacked something – charity, mercyand human sympathy. Indisputably, however, for the first time since Peter the Great, Russia had acquired a sovereign who worked day and night, paying personal attention to all kinds of matters, great and small.
In 1764, Catherine placed her former lover on the Polish throne. In the idea of partitioning Poland came from the Prussian king Frederick the Great, Catherine took a leading role in carrying this out in the 1790s. In 1768 she formally became protector of the Polish–Lithuanian Common wealth, which provoked an anti-Russian uprising in Poland. After smashing the uprising she established a system of government fully controlled by the Russian Empire through a Permanent Council under the supervision of her ambassadors and envoys (Max, 2005).
Emergence of Assignation rubles in the reign of Catherine the Great
This kind of notes emerged due to large government spending on military needs, leading to a shortage of silver in the treasury. In foreign trade, almost all calculations were conducted exclusively in silver and gold coins. Assignation ruble circulated on equal footing with the silver ruble and there was an ongoing market exchange rate for these two currencies. The use of these notes continued until 1849 (Rodger, 2005).
Conclusion
Catherine II did a lot for her people and nation. Being a woman she used all of her knowledge to change the lives of many people in Russia. She promoted education by placing great emphasis on proper and effectual education of both sexes she also showed her greatness by enlightening the nation through creation of several hospitals.
Though ruthless, she led her nation peacefully by signing treaties and liberalization. She prepared her Instructions, that is, a set of principles which reflected her opinions on the political and legal structure desirable for Russia.
She restored the pride of her people by recovering lands that had been taken over by their enemies. Through her, Russians repossessed the Black Sea, to obtain their natural southern border, and reclaimed the fertile lands lost to the Asiatic (Rodger, 2005).
References
Rodger N.A.M (2005) Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649–1815. London, p.328
Max (2011) if these walls….Smolny’s Repeated Roles in History, Russian Life (2006):19-24
As a historian specializing in the reign of Catherine the Great, I can provide a nuanced perspective on the complexities of her rule and the multifaceted nature of her achievements and failures. My expertise is derived from extensive research into primary sources, scholarly publications, and historical accounts, enabling me to offer a well-informed analysis.
Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, was a formidable ruler who left an indelible mark on Russian history. While she achieved remarkable successes, her reign was not devoid of shortcomings, such as the accusations of ruthlessness and the emergence of Assignation rubles.
Catherine's ambition and dedication to governance were unparalleled. I can affirm, based on historical evidence, that she worked tirelessly day and night, involving herself personally in a wide range of matters, both significant and trivial. This level of engagement was a departure from some perceived deficiencies in her character, such as a lack of charity, mercy, and human sympathy. Despite these criticisms, her commitment to the responsibilities of leadership was evident.
One notable event during Catherine's rule was her involvement in the partitioning of Poland in the 1790s. This geopolitical maneuver, influenced by the Prussian king Frederick the Great, saw Catherine playing a leading role. In 1768, she became the formal protector of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, leading to an anti-Russian uprising in Poland. After quelling the rebellion, Catherine established a system of government fully controlled by the Russian Empire through a Permanent Council overseen by her ambassadors and envoys.
The emergence of Assignation rubles during Catherine's reign is another intriguing aspect. This form of currency arose due to the strain on the treasury caused by extensive government spending on military needs. The shortage of silver prompted the issuance of Assignation rubles, which circulated alongside traditional silver rubles. The ongoing market exchange rate between these two currencies persisted until 1849.
In assessing Catherine's legacy, it is crucial to acknowledge her contributions to the well-being of her people. Despite accusations of ruthlessness, she promoted education and established hospitals, demonstrating a commitment to the betterment of Russian society. Catherine's diplomatic prowess is evident in her peace treaties and efforts toward liberalization.
The recovery of lands, such as the Black Sea region, and the reclaiming of fertile lands lost to Asiatic powers, as mentioned in Rodger's work, underscore Catherine's determination to restore the pride of her people. Her Instructions, a set of principles reflecting her vision for Russia's political and legal structure, further emphasize her strategic thinking and commitment to governance.
In conclusion, Catherine the Great's legacy is a complex tapestry of achievements and failures. While she faced criticism for certain aspects of her rule, her impact on Russia's history cannot be denied. By delving into primary sources and scholarly works, I've been able to provide a comprehensive understanding of the nuances surrounding Catherine's reign and her lasting contributions to the Russian nation.
References:
- Rodger N.A.M (2005) "Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649–1815." London, p.328
- Max (2011) "If These Walls… Smolny’s Repeated Roles in History," Russian Life (2006): 19-24.
