Реферат: Catherine The Great Essay Research Paper CATHERINE

At age 60, Catherine still had a beautiful complexion, sparkiling eyes, but she was heavy and was missing most of her teeth. Despite her appearance, she still sought company of young men. When Poland attacked Russia in 1793, foreign affairs were on top of the list. Inspired by the French Revolution, Catherine was horrified by the killing of Louis XVI by guillotine. The idea was worsened because it was the invention of her once beloved philosophers. In 1796, Catherine was still an effective ruler despite her bad health. Her death was very unexpected and tragic. She was found in her bathroom laying on the floor. 1/4/365 ?Her face was livid, her body completely inert. With difficulty they dragged her on a mattress back to her room. It was a sad end for a sovereign who had earned the title of ?the Great.?

(paraphrase pg 104 source 3)Catherine, born a German, died a true Russian. Her 34-year reign brought both great advances and great misery to her adoptive people. Her main interests were cultural and political. Detirmined to make the backward Russian society as cultured as those of the German and French, she introduced and encouraged the studies of literature, art , science, and new philosophical ideas to the people of Russia. She was the first Russian ruler to spend large sums of money on education. She founded new universities and the nation?s first school for girls.

Catherine who herself was a dedicated reader and art collecter, encouraged both reading and appreciation of the arts among her nobles. She worked endlessly to modernize and improve the structure of the government of Russia. Although she thought of herself as a ?republican?, Cahterine actually made Russia?s already powerful rulers even stronger by increasing the power over the serfs. She began her reign with sympathy for the poor, but serfs did not benefit from her reign in anyway. Catherine?s success expanded Russian borders tremendously and increased its international prestige. Catherine had many lovers, but she never allowed any one of them to rule Russia, she was always in control. Because she was a woman, her risqu? personality was often criticized. Her enemies although, could never destroy the great record of her accomplishments. She remains today, one of the most brilliant and intellectual leaders the world has ever known. Catherine II was truly worthy of the title, ?Catherine the Great.?

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