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Catherine the Great relied on charm and intelligence
to gain popularity; she exemplified sprezzatura.
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Catherine the Great was inarguably an ambitious woman. As a teenager she was set on becoming the next ruler of Russia, even though she was German. She begged her tutor to give her more schoolwork, and she even caught pneumonia staying up late to study Russian vocabulary. Her dedication earned her marriage to her cousin, the empress of Russia's nephew. He was a terrible ruler and husband, so Catherine forcibly took the throne from him.
Like many women today, Catherine wanted fulfillment and love. She had lovers, anywhere between 3 and 12 over her lifetime. In addition to finally giving her the love and intellectual fulfillment she sought, her relationships helped her keep Russia on good terms with other countries. It seems like a few lovers would be worth Russia's stability.
Catherine promoted education, health, and the arts, as well as equal treatment of people from all classes. She wrote the Rule of Law, a 22 chapter document for which she consulted people from every class (but serfs). She tried to free the serfs, the indentured servants of the upper classes. She gave up this feat in fear of losing the nobles' support on which she depended, but I don't think she should be blamed too much because she did more good in power than she could have out of it.
Ambition carried Catherine the Great to uplift Russia to heights that it never would have achieved if not for her. Although she ruled in a less "respectable" way than a woman would have been expected to, she achieved her goals of power and love while ruling Russia responsibly. I argue that her greatness stemmed from her controversial deeds, rather than being hindered by them.
Image obtained from wikicommons.
Image obtained from wikicommons.
Indeed, Catherine was an ambitious "enlightened absolutist" who implemented some revolutionary reforms. However, I feel that these were more bark than bite. The Pugachev Peasant Rebellion is just one example of how her policies backfired bloodily, though to your credit, monarchs usually have a rough time dodging the nobility.
ReplyDeleteAmbition is a seriously underrated trait. It can take you just about anywhere, but it's often demonized. You can't just look at the sour exapmles- there are ones like this too.
ReplyDeleteWhile ambition is not necessarily a bad thing, ambition for power has always led to unrighteous rulers. Catherines "controversies" include giving gifts of 1000 serfs to her lovers, maintaining the massive gaps in wealth in Russia and potentially having the husband she hated killed. While I don't have a problem with ambition, by no means do her actions make her great.
ReplyDeleteCatherine the Great reminds me several incredible leaders who happen to have several vices. Those that come to mind are Winston Churchill and his alcohol abuse and JFK's extramarital relationships. Not all great leaders walk upright morally in the eyes of those they lead, but that does not necessarily demean their ability to lead. Catherine the Great was the strong leader essential to strengthening Russia, but she lived a life that may have not been socially acceptable in the eyes of her subjects.
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