What Is Russia?!?!?!?!?
Published By: Evan Purcell and Diego Zegarra
The Leader of Russia
Catherine II the great, Peter the Great’s wife, won the favor of the guard. When her husband was murdered by the faction, she emerged as autocrat of all of Russia. Catherine was an intelligent woman who was familiar with the works of the philosophes. She wanted to reform Russia along the lines of the Enlightenment ideas. Catherine seemed eager to pursue reform. She called for the election of an assembly in 1767 to debate the details of a new law code. Catherine questioned the institutions of serfdom, torture, and capital punishment, and even advocated for the principle of equality of all people.
The Power Structure of Russia
Catherine's success depended on the support of the palace guard and the Gentry class from which it stemmed.Catherine's couldn't afford to alienate the Russian nobility.Catherine’s subsequent policies had the effect of strengthening the landing class at the expense of all others, especially the Russian serfs. Catherine divided Russia into fifty provinces, each of which was in turn subdivided into districts whose ruling officials were chosen by the nobles. The local nobility became responsible for the day-to-day governing of Russia.