Everything Everywhere Daily: Episode Summary – Catherine the Great

Release Date: June 4, 2025
Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media

Introduction to Catherine the Great

In this illuminating episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, Gary Arndt delves deep into the life and legacy of Catherine the Great, one of Russia's most influential rulers. Catherine's reign is celebrated as the pinnacle of enlightened absolutism in Russia, marked by significant territorial expansions, internal reforms, and a flourishing of the arts and Enlightenment ideas.

Early Life and Marriage

Catherine the Great was born Sophie Federica Augusta von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg on May 2, 1729, in Stettin, Prussia (modern-day Szczecin, Poland). Contrary to popular belief, Catherine was not Russian by birth; she hailed from the German nobility. Her father, Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst, was a Prussian general, and her mother, Johanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp, was connected to various European royal families.

Educated in French, German, and later Russian, Catherine's intellectual curiosity set her apart. At 14, she was selected to marry Grand Duke Peter of Holstein-Gottorp, the heir to the Russian throne, a political move orchestrated by Empress Elizabeth to strengthen ties with the German states.

"The young Sophie received an education typical of German nobility of her time... what set Sophie apart was her intellectual curiosity and voracious appetite for reading" (04:30).

Rise to Power

Upon her arrival in Russia, Sophie, now adopting the name Ekaterina Alexeyevna, embraced Russian customs and converted to the Orthodox Church. Her marriage to Peter in 1745 proved tumultuous, as Peter's erratic behavior strained their relationship. When Empress Elizabeth died in 1762, Peter ascended to the throne as Emperor Peter III. However, his unpopular pro-Prussian policies and unstable demeanor quickly alienated key factions within Russia.

Catherine, leveraging her extensive network and support among the military, nobility, and Orthodox Church, orchestrated a successful palace coup. On July 9, 1762, she proclaimed herself Empress of Russia, effectively dethroning Peter III, who died shortly after under mysterious circumstances.

"Catherine's Ascension to the throne came through one of history's most successful palace coups" (15:45).

Reforms and Enlightened Despotism

Catherine the Great envisioned herself as an enlightened despot, drawing inspiration from Western philosophers like Voltaire, Diderot, and Montesquieu. Her most ambitious initiative was the creation of a new legal code. In 1767, she established the Legislative Commission, aiming to draft comprehensive legal reforms based on Enlightenment principles such as the rule of law and individual rights. Although the commission did not produce a new code, it was revolutionary in involving diverse social classes in governance.

Further administrative restructuring occurred in 1775 with the provincial reform, which divided Russia into 50 provinces to enhance local governance and establish institutions for education, public health, and social welfare.

"Her instruction to this commission outlined principles drawn from Enlightenment philosophy, emphasizing the rule of law, proportional punishment, and individual rights" (32:20).

Cultural and Educational Initiatives

Understanding the importance of cultural transformation, Catherine founded Russia's first state schools for both boys and girls and established the Hermitage Museum as a center for art and culture. She fostered Russian literature and theater, laying the groundwork for future literary giants like Pushkin and Tolstoy.

Catherine also initiated the Free Economic Society, Russia's first economic organization, promoting agricultural innovation and industrial development. Her establishment of medical schools and hospitals highlighted her commitment to public health as a pillar of national strength.

"Catherine understood that Russia's development required not just political reform, but cultural transformation" (45:10).

Territorial Expansion and Military Campaigns

Catherine's reign was marked by significant military expansions, particularly against the Ottoman Empire, which secured Russia's access to the Black Sea and established its influence in the Balkans. The annexation of Crimea in 1783 was a strategic move that provided Russia with crucial warm water ports and fertile lands, enhancing economic development and trade routes.

She played a pivotal role in the partitions of Poland, collaborating with Prussia and Austria to dismantle the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. These actions expanded Russian territory by approximately 200,000 square miles, positioning Russia as a dominant power in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region.

"Catherine's military campaign significantly expanded Russian territory and influence... opened up new trade routes and brought fertile agricultural lands under Russian control" (58:35).

Contradictions and Challenges

Despite her enlightened façade, Catherine's reign was marred by significant contradictions. While advocating for human rights and legal equality, she simultaneously expanded serfdom and reinforced noble privileges at the expense of the peasantry. This duality culminated in the Pugachev Rebellion (1773-1775), a massive uprising led by Emilian Pugachev, which exposed deep social tensions within Russian society.

The rebellion highlighted the limitations of Catherine's reforms, as her policies had exacerbated the plight of the serfs. In response, Catherine issued the Charter to the Nobility in 1785, solidifying noble privileges and tightening controls over serfs, thus prioritizing the support of the nobility over addressing peasant discontent.

"While she spoke eloquently about human rights and legal equality, she simultaneously expanded serfdom and increased noble privileges at Peasant expense" (1:10:15).

Personal Life and Relationships

Catherine's personal life was intricately linked to her political maneuvers. Her marriage to Peter III was largely loveless, but she later engaged in significant romantic relationships that served political purposes. Her alliances with Grigory Orlov and Grigory Potemkin were pivotal in her rise to power and the implementation of her southern expansion policies. Potemkin, in particular, was not only her lover but also her closest advisor, contributing significantly to her administrative reforms.

"Potemkin, in particular, combined romantic partnership with genuine political collaboration, helping Catherine develop and implement her most ambitious territorial administrative reforms" (1:20:50).

Death and Succession

Catherine the Great died on November 17, 1796, at the age of 67, due to complications from a stroke. Her son, Paul I, succeeded her but proved to be ill-prepared for rulership. His contentious relationship with Catherine and his subsequent policies led to instability, culminating in his assassination in 1801. Paul's son, Alexander, played a role in his murder, signaling the tumultuous transition of power following Catherine's legacy.

Legacy

Catherine the Great's legacy is multifaceted. She transformed Russia into a formidable European power, expanding its territory and influence significantly. Her cultural and educational initiatives laid the foundation for Russia's rich 19th-century literary and artistic achievements. The schools, cultural institutions, and intellectual environment she fostered paved the way for luminaries like Alexander Pushkin, Leo Tolstoy, and Fyodor Dostoevsky.

However, her failure to address the fundamental injustices of serfdom sowed the seeds of social unrest that would eventually lead to the Russian Revolution of 1917. By prioritizing noble privileges over peasant welfare, Catherine created enduring social contradictions that her successors struggled to resolve.

"The story of Catherine the Great is that of a minor German princess who went on to become the ruler of one of the largest countries in the world, a country that she wasn't even a native of" (2:30:00).

Conclusion

Catherine the Great remains a towering figure in Russian history, embodying both the enlightened aspirations and the autocratic realities of her time. Her reign brought immense transformation and laid the groundwork for Russia's emergence as a major European power, yet it also highlighted the inherent contradictions of attempting to blend enlightenment ideals with autocratic rule.

Produced by Charles Daniel, with associate producers Austin Okun and Cameron Keefer.