Analyze the methods and degrees of success of Russian political and social reform
from the period of Peter the Great (1689–1725) through Catherine the Great
(1762–1796).
I. The degrees of success of Russian political and social reform from the period of Peter the Great through Catherine the Great were equally comparable, with Russia being expanded and wars being won, and both had downfalls, such as the peasantry being in a distressing state; but Peter the Great’s desire to make Russia into a European power did not happen until Catherine the Great came to power, therefore making her reign more successful.
II. Peter’s achievements: learned tactics and strategies but never carried them out, had the tools but didn’t pursue enough, gained knowledge of Western Europe industrial techniques and state administration, established schools, replaced church patriarchy
III. Catherine’s achievement: loved by the people, increase central control over provinces, skilled as a diplomat, Russia’s influence in European affairs increased, patron of arts
IV. Catherine and Peter’s downfalls: Peter did not fully make Russia to what he wanted, both left the peasantry distressed, Catherine reversed liberal forms, Peter made others think he was the antichrist
V. Conclusion and summary of both reigns
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Up until the time of the rule of Peter the Great, Russia was a country that kept to itself and was not involved with Europe or European affairs. Russia was not up to par with the technology and advancements that where taking place in the rest of Europe. When Peter the Great came to power; however, his goal was to make Russia into a European power, expanding its rule and advancing its knowledge. When Catherine the Great became Empress, her goal was similar, which was to expand on Peter the Great’s ideas and to further Russia into a prosperous power. The degrees of success of Russian political and social reform from the period of Peter the Great through Catherine the Great were equally comparable, with events such as Russia being expanded and wars being won, and both had downfalls, such as the peasantry being in a distressing state; but Peter the Great’s desire to make Russia into a European power did not happen until Catherine the Great came to power, therefore making her reign more successful.
Peter the Great’s main goal in ruling Russia was to make it into a European power. Many achievements were reached when Peter was head of Russia. When he was growing up, he gained knowledge of things such as Western Europe industrial techniques and state administration. In attempts to make Russia a solidified power, Peter made reforms such as establishing schools, replacing church patriarchy, simplifying the alphabet, and so on. Peter studied and had the tools to make Russia into a ruling power, but he ultimately did not do enough to make it reach the standards that he had hoped for. Peter the Great got the reform of Russia rolling, but he was not able to carry through his hopes and imaginings.
Catherine the Great reigned from 1762 to 1796 in Russia. She was the most sovereign rule in Russia. Catherine was a loved ruled; she was loved by the Russian people. Catherine reached achievements such as increasing central control over provinces and increasing Russia’s influence in European affairs. Catherine was skilled as a diplomat and was a patron of the arts. Catherine built and founded a museum, commissioned buildings all over Russia, and did other things such as corresponding with French Encyclopedists. Catherine was able to make Russia into a ruling power, something that Peter the Great wanted to do, but did not succeed in doing. She was thought to be, by others, the most superior ruler in Russia. Catherine improved academies, journals, and libraries. Catherine the Great’s reign was truly one of huge success.
While Catherine and Peter had successful reigns in Russia, both had some downfalls. Peter wanted to make Russia a supreme ruling power in Europe. During his reign and during his life time, he did not achieve that goal. He had studied and learned way to make this happen, but it ultimately did not. The public began to think that Peter the Great was the antichrist because he introduced many reforms and restrictions. He was not as loved by the people as was Catherine. Catherine also had a few downfalls in her reign, such as reversing liberal reforms. Both rulers left the peasantry distressed, which was a major downfall in each other their reigns.
Peter the Great began the idea of making Russia into a ruling power in Europe. During his reign, he did not succeed. He failed at his ultimate goal, making Russia at the top. Catherine the Great, however; brought Russia to a higher status and allowed it to fully prosper. Catherine the Great’s reign overall was more successful because she reached the goal that Peter the Great had aimed for, but ultimately did not achieve. Both reigns were noteworthy, but Catherine the Great’s reign proved to be more successful.
