Tsars (1962-96)

Question 1

What was Catherines charactrer?

Answer 1

ambitious
energetic charismatic

Question 2

Before Catherine came to the throne?

Answer 2

eyes on throne long before she became Tsar
avoided being just regent for son Paul
kept Paul out of politics till she died 1796

Question 3

Who did Catherine have affairs with and limits?

Answer 3

at least 20 lovers
Politically important: Stanislas Poniatowski, Gregory Orlov, Gregory Pometkin
–> never allowed them to direct policy

Question 4

What intellectual movement did Catherine follow?

Answer 4

The Enlightment

Question 5

Who were Enlightened thinkers?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Arguements against CAtherine as an enlightened leader?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

How was Catherine an ambitious reformer?

Answer 7

spread efforts over 3 decades
one goal at a time–> patience and caution

Question 8

examples of reforms with no obvious military, fiscal or policing benifit

Answer 8

provinding orphanges
shelter for unmarried mothers
hospitals
humane prisons and legal systems
power=primary objective but some set out to improve subjects lives

Question 9

How enlightened was Catherine?

Answer 9

interest in philosophy
genuinely wanted improve her subjects lives
sympathy to free trade
amerliorate serfs but no peasent or hostility
Nakaz

Question 10

What was the French revolution?

Answer 10

(late 1980’s) overthrow of absolute monarchy in France
–> established concept liberalism and nationalism as political forces

Question 11

WHat was liberalism and nationalism?

Answer 11

Liberalism: gov. elected through representatives of people
Nationalism: each nation should have own state to protect interests of nation from threats

Question 12

Events of French revolution?

Answer 12

(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

Question 13

Impact of French Revolution on domestic affairs?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Catherines actions to Radishchev’s and radicalism?

Answer 14

arrested and condemned him –> siberian exile
other investigated and imprisoned
books burnt
licences for private printing press revoked

Question 15

When was Peter born?

Answer 15

1972

Question 16

When did Peter’s father died and who became Tsar?

Answer 16

1676 and Feodor became Tsar
–> Peter sent to Preobrazhensky with mother

Question 17

WHen did Feodor died and who became Tsar?

Answer 17

1682
Privy COuncil chose Peter –> cause of 1st streltsy revolt

Question 18

Who was Golitsyn?

Answer 18

Sophia’s lover and chief advisor

Question 19

What did Golitsyn and Sophia do for Russia?

Answer 19

Brought more humane legal code
men = women
Young russians educated abroad
Easing of serfs

Question 20

How did Sophias position change?

Answer 20

Regent –> Autocrat

Question 21

How was Ivans position strengthened in 1684?

Answer 21

Ivan marry and produce heir

Question 22

How did Peter strenghten his position?

Answer 22

(1689) Peter married Evdokia and had an heir
(1688) Peter attended meetings and interest in gov.

Question 23

By when did Peter become sole ruler?

Answer 23

(Jan 1694) Natalia died
(1696) Ivan dies

Question 24

What was significant about Peters death?

Answer 24

1725
no clear law of succession
no primogeniture (oldest son)

Question 25

Who took over power from Peter?

Answer 25

Peters 2nd wife (Catherine)
She was pop. with guard regiments so no opposition

Question 26

Who did Menshikov appoint when Catherine fell ill?

Answer 26

(1727) Alexis (son on Peter II)

Question 27

How long was Peter II reign?

Answer 27

(1727-30) died of small pox

Question 28

WHo and how was chosen as Tsar after Peter II?

Answer 28

(1730) Anna (daughter of Peter half-brother Ivan)
–> chosen by supreme privy council

Question 29

What was Annas oppinion of Peters reforms?

Answer 29

Inactive, submissive and indifferent

Question 30

What did SUpreme privy Council do for Anna?

Answer 30

Imposed set of conditions
–> entered capital and publically tore them up
–> abolished supreme privy council

Question 31

Who took over from Anna as Tsar?

Answer 31

4 month old Ivan w/ Biron as regent
–> Munnich led coup arresting Ivan and exiling Biron

Question 32

How did Elizabeth come to the throne in 1741?

Answer 32

She quitely built up popularity w/ guard regiments
–> marched on palace w/ regement and detained Munnich
–> Became Empress

Question 33

What was Elizabeth like as a Tsar?

Answer 33

Interested in cloth import and had 15000 dresses

Question 34

How was Elizabeths reign secure?

Answer 34

Ivan imprisoned
Proclaimed Peter III as heir
Peter had married and had child

Question 35

When does ELizabeth die and Peter III take over?

Answer 35

(1761) abolished secret chancellory
ended war with prussia
made malicious denunciations mroe difficult

Question 36

WHat was issue with Peter III?

Answer 36

Vested too many interests with counter balance
–> Luterhainsm religious toleration
–> imposed severe Prussian-style discipline
exacerbated anti- German prejuidices

Question 37

WHo were 3 possible saviours after Peter III?

Answer 37

Ivan VI, Peter III’s son (Paul) or CAtherine

Question 38

WHy did CAtherine seem like the strongest option?

Answer 38

GOod relation with guard officers

Question 39

How did CAtherine get to power?

Answer 39

(28th June 1762) proclaimed by 3 guard regiments
- troops secured city
- forced Peter to abdicate