Tsars (1962-96) Flashcards
What was Catherines charactrer?
ambitious
energetic charismatic
Before Catherine came to the throne?
eyes on throne long before she became Tsar
avoided being just regent for son Paul
kept Paul out of politics till she died 1796
Who did Catherine have affairs with and limits?
at least 20 lovers
Politically important: Stanislas Poniatowski, Gregory Orlov, Gregory Pometkin
–> never allowed them to direct policy
What intellectual movement did Catherine follow?
The Enlightment
Who were Enlightened thinkers?
Improvement of human condition through application of reason
Natural laws controlling every aspect of human life –> have an ideal system of governance, law and scoiety
Arguements against CAtherine as an enlightened leader?
reforms instead were driven by desire of military power:
-removing noble tax privileges or incr. countries taxable wealth = more income and soliders
- religious toleration = brought skilled immigrants, stronger eco. and potential military manpower
How was Catherine an ambitious reformer?
spread efforts over 3 decades
one goal at a time–> patience and caution
examples of reforms with no obvious military, fiscal or policing benifit
provinding orphanges
shelter for unmarried mothers
hospitals
humane prisons and legal systems
power=primary objective but some set out to improve subjects lives
How enlightened was Catherine?
interest in philosophy
genuinely wanted improve her subjects lives
sympathy to free trade
amerliorate serfs but no peasent or hostility
Nakaz
What was the French revolution?
(late 1980’s) overthrow of absolute monarchy in France
–> established concept liberalism and nationalism as political forces
WHat was liberalism and nationalism?
Liberalism: gov. elected through representatives of people
Nationalism: each nation should have own state to protect interests of nation from threats
Events of French revolution?
(1978-8) noble rejection of royal tax reforms
(1789) storming Bastille + meeting of parliament
–> 3 parts of parliament (nobility, clegry and middle) joined to form National Assembly
–> uprising led to fall of Bastille
Impact of French Revolution on domestic affairs?
Catherine became more draconian with censorship laws after reading Radishchev’s ‘Journey from St.Petersburg to Moscow’
–> it attacked serfdom, aggressive militarism
–> she decided to crack down on radicalism
Catherines actions to Radishchev’s and radicalism?
arrested and condemned him –> siberian exile
other investigated and imprisoned
books burnt
licences for private printing press revoked
When was Peter born?
1972
When did Peter’s father died and who became Tsar?
1676 and Feodor became Tsar
–> Peter sent to Preobrazhensky with mother
WHen did Feodor died and who became Tsar?
1682
Privy COuncil chose Peter –> cause of 1st streltsy revolt
Who was Golitsyn?
Sophia’s lover and chief advisor
What did Golitsyn and Sophia do for Russia?
Brought more humane legal code
men = women
Young russians educated abroad
Easing of serfs
How did Sophias position change?
Regent –> Autocrat
How was Ivans position strengthened in 1684?
Ivan marry and produce heir
How did Peter strenghten his position?
(1689) Peter married Evdokia and had an heir
(1688) Peter attended meetings and interest in gov.
By when did Peter become sole ruler?
(Jan 1694) Natalia died
(1696) Ivan dies
What was significant about Peters death?
1725
no clear law of succession
no primogeniture (oldest son)
Who took over power from Peter?
Peters 2nd wife (Catherine)
She was pop. with guard regiments so no opposition
Who did Menshikov appoint when Catherine fell ill?
(1727) Alexis (son on Peter II)
How long was Peter II reign?
(1727-30) died of small pox
WHo and how was chosen as Tsar after Peter II?
(1730) Anna (daughter of Peter half-brother Ivan)
–> chosen by supreme privy council
What was Annas oppinion of Peters reforms?
Inactive, submissive and indifferent
What did SUpreme privy Council do for Anna?
Imposed set of conditions
–> entered capital and publically tore them up
–> abolished supreme privy council
Who took over from Anna as Tsar?
4 month old Ivan w/ Biron as regent
–> Munnich led coup arresting Ivan and exiling Biron
How did Elizabeth come to the throne in 1741?
She quitely built up popularity w/ guard regiments
–> marched on palace w/ regement and detained Munnich
–> Became Empress
What was Elizabeth like as a Tsar?
Interested in cloth import and had 15000 dresses
How was Elizabeths reign secure?
Ivan imprisoned
Proclaimed Peter III as heir
Peter had married and had child
When does ELizabeth die and Peter III take over?
(1761) abolished secret chancellory
ended war with prussia
made malicious denunciations mroe difficult
WHat was issue with Peter III?
Vested too many interests with counter balance
–> Luterhainsm religious toleration
–> imposed severe Prussian-style discipline
exacerbated anti- German prejuidices
WHo were 3 possible saviours after Peter III?
Ivan VI, Peter III’s son (Paul) or CAtherine
WHy did CAtherine seem like the strongest option?
GOod relation with guard officers
How did CAtherine get to power?
(28th June 1762) proclaimed by 3 guard regiments
- troops secured city
- forced Peter to abdicate
