Nihar Pathare
Chapter Objective
Evaluate Catherine's reactions to maintaining the old order and trying to introduce enlightened concepts.
Catherine II (Also known as Catherine the Great)
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Video of Catherine the Great
Pugachev's Rebellion
- A cossack named Emelian Pugachev mounted a rebellion in 1773. His forces wanted the end of taxes, and military draft. They wanted the right to elect their own leaders and rule themselves.
- Catherine ordered the imperial army to put down the rebellion and beheaded Pugachev.
End of Reform
- As a result of the rebellion, Catherine tightened her grip on Russia. However, the French Revolution in 1789 ended her interest in reform.
- She then abandoned westernization and adopted policies that would prevent any further revolution. She converted her aristocracy similarly to China, Japan, and Islamic empires and restricted European influences.