Catherine The Great Outline

Catherine the Great was the longest reigning female leader of Russia (2). Her passion for the Russian people as well as her own ambitions drove her determination in leadership. Catherine considered herself to be an enlightened despot; Enlightenment-era philosophy influenced many of her ideologies. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie explores Catherine’s life and achievements chronologically, focusing on the effects of her past beginning at birth. Though written in third person, the book is written like a novel. Massie uses detailed descriptions to support his thesis: Catherine’s arduous life sculpted her and the way that she would conduct herself at court as well as during her reign before anything else could begin to influence her. Catherine’s father, Christian Augustus, was a minor prince of eighteenth century Germany who rose in rank through the Prussian military (1). He married Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp on November eighth, 1727 (4). He was thirty-seven, and she was fifteen; the

Their kingdom was not of this world. I have frequently heard these words from your lips. How can you presume to own such riches, such vast estates? If you wish to obey the laws of your own order, if you wish to be my most faithful subjects, you will not hesitate to return to the state that which you unjustly possess.
Another instance of Catherine prioritizing support over her own opinions was the issue of serfdom. Catherine, who did not agree with serfdom, still gifted “thousands of serfs to her supporters,” (pg 307). Some would argue that Catherine’s ruling style was not shaped by her hardships, but by observing that of others or enlightenment teachings. However, none of these things could make an impact before Catherine’s childhood; that’s where she started to learn how to handle herself around