Catherine II Alexeevna rule from 1741 to 1796.She tried to continue the course, which took by Peter I. But it also wanted to follow the terms of the New Age.During her reign there were several deep administrative reforms and greatly expanded the empire.The Empress had the intelligence and abilities of great statesman.
aim of the reign of Catherine II
Legalization of the rights of individual classes - the goal set by the Ekaterina 2. Politics enlightened absolutism, in short - social system, when the monarch is aware that he is a trustee of the empire, while the classvoluntarily recognize their responsibility to the reigning monarch.Catherine the Great wanted the alliance between the monarch and the public has been achieved not by coercion but by voluntary awareness of their rights and responsibilities.At this time, it encouraged the development of education, business and industry, science.Also during this period originated journalism.French Enlightenment - Diderot, Voltaire - were those whose work was guided by Ekaterina 2. The policy of enlightened absolutism summarized below.
What is "enlightened absolutism"?
policy of enlightened absolutism took a number of European states (Prussia, Sweden, Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Spain and so on. D.).The essence of the policy of enlightened absolutism - the monarch's attempt to gently change their state in accordance with the changing conditions of life.This was necessary in order to avoid revolution.
ideological basis of enlightened absolutism were two things:
- philosophy of the Enlightenment.
- Christian faith.
With such policies should have been reduced state intervention in the economy, updating and codifying laws, legislating class.Also, the church was subject to state censorship temporarily weakened, book publishing and education encouraged.
Senate reform
One of the first reforms of Catherine II was the reform of the Senate.Decree of 15 December 1763 has changed the terms of reference and structure of the Senate.Now he was stripped of legislative powers.Now he only acts as control and remained the highest judicial body.
Structural changes have divided the Senate for 6 departments.Each of them had a well defined jurisdiction.Thus increasing the efficiency of it as the central authority.But while the Senate has become a tool in the rukaz power.He had to obey the empress.
Legislative Commission
In 1767, Catherine the Great convened the Legislative Commission.Its purpose was to demonstrate the unity of the monarch and his subjects.In order to form a commission, elections were held in classes, not one of them privately owned peasants.As a result, the commission was 572 MP: nobility, government offices, the peasants and Cossacks.The objectives of the Commission is compiling a set of laws, and was replaced by Conciliar The Code 1649.In addition, should develop measures for the serfs to facilitate their lives.But this led to a split in the commission.Each group of MPs to defend their interests.The debate lasted for so long that Catherine the Great began to think about how to stop work convened by deputies.The Commission has worked a half years and was dissolved at the beginning of Russian-Turkish war.
Charter to
In the mid 70's and early 90's Catherine II pursued major reforms.The reason for these reforms was the Pugachev rebellion.Therefore, there is need to strengthen the monarchy.Strengthens the power of the local administration, increasing the number of provinces, Sich abolished serfdom began to spread to Ukraine, the power of the landowner over peasants intensified.Province headed by a governor who was responsible for everything.General Government combines several provinces.
Charter to the city since 1775 extended their rights to self-government.It also freed the merchants of conscription and the poll tax.Business began to develop.The mayor ran the city, and captains elected by the noble assembly, ruled the County.
Each class now had its own special judicial institution.Central government shifted the center of gravity in the local institutions.Problems and issues were resolved much faster.
In 1785 Charter to become a confirmation of noble outlaws, who introduced Peter III.Nobles are now exempt from corporal punishment and confiscation of property.In addition, they could create a self-governing bodies.
Other reforms
number of other reforms has been made when a policy of enlightened absolutism.The table shows other important reforms of the Empress.
| Year | reform | Total |
| 1764 | secularization of church holdings | church property became state property. |
| 1764 | Liquidated hetman and elements of autonomy in Ukraine | |
| 1785 | City reform | |
| 1782 | Police reform | input "Charter of the deanery, or a police officer."The population began to be under police and church and moral control. |
| 1769 | Financial reform | introduced banknotes - paper money.Nobles were opened and merchant banks. |
| 1786 | educational reform will be a system of educational institutions. | |
| 1775 | introduction of free enterprise |
New Deal did not catch
policy of enlightened absolutism in Russia was short-lived.After the revolution in France in 1789, the empress decided to change the policy.Stepped up censorship of books and newspapers.
Catherine II transformed the Russian empire in the authoritative, powerful world power.The nobility was privileged class, expand the rights of the nobility in the government.We create favorable conditions for the country to continue to develop economically.All this time to make Catherine 2. The policy of enlightened absolutism, in short, Russia has maintained and strengthened absolute monarchy and feudalism.The basic ideas of Diderot and Voltaire had not taken root: forms of government were abolished, and people were not equal.Rather, the difference between the classes is only strengthened.In the country corruption flourished.The population did not hesitate to give large bribes.What led policy pursued by Catherine 2, the policy of enlightened absolutism?Briefly it can be described as follows: fully collapsed financial system and, as a consequence, a severe economic crisis.
