Catherine the Great, 1762–96, and Paul, 1796–1801

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ID: 323717
2026
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Abstract
This chapter examines Catherine the Great's rise to power, analysing her personality, Enlightenment ideals, legislative ambitions, and efforts to strengthen autocratic rule while expanding Russian influence. It explains how the Legislative Commission, the Nakaz, and the Pugachev Rebellion revealed tensions among reform, serfdom, social division, and imperial governance in eighteenth-century Russia. The chapter also evaluates Catherine's administrative reforms, noble privileges, economic modernization, educational initiatives, imperial expansion, wars against the Ottoman Empire, and the partitions of Poland that expanded Russian authority. It further assesses competing interpretations of Catherine's achievements, limitations, and political vision, emphasising contradictions between enlightened rhetoric, coercive rule, and intensified serfdom. Finally, the chapter describes Paul's reactionary reign, military obsessions, foreign policies, succession reforms, and attempts to restrict noble autonomy while maintaining autocratic control within the Russian Empire.
Reference Key
openalex_W7172440717 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Nicholas V. Riasanovsky, Mark D. Steinberg
Journal Oxford University Press eBooks
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/hepl/9780197875070.003.0020
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780197875070.003.0020
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