In Our Time — Catherine the Great

BBC Radio 4 | Hosted by Melvyn Bragg
Aired: February 23, 2006

Episode Overview

This episode explores the remarkable life and reign of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia (1762–1796). Host Melvyn Bragg is joined by historians Janet Hartley, Simon Dixon, and Tony Lentin to unravel the complexities of Catherine’s rule—her image as an enlightened monarch, the limits of her reforms, her political maneuvering, and the realities behind her legend. The debate ranges from the status of serfs to her relationships with Enlightenment thinkers, her expansionist wars, and the legacy she left for Russia and Europe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Status of Serfs & Russian Society

• Serfdom in 18th Century Russia (03:08)
  • Janet Hartley outlines that over 50% of Russian peasants were serfs—peasants living on noble land with few rights, often sold as families or individuals, and lacking freedom of movement.
  • Compared to Western Europe, serfdom was more entrenched and pervasive in Russia.
  • Quote:
    “Serfs were peasants who lived on noble land rather than state land… And to our mind, they would be unfree.”
    — Janet Hartley (03:13)

2. Catherine’s Path to Power

• German Princess to Russian Empress (04:49)

  • Simon Dixon traces Catherine’s origins as a minor German princess, chosen for dynastic and diplomatic reasons to marry Russia’s Grand Duke Peter.
  • The marriage is described as an arranged one, with little affection and much personal difficulty.
  • Quote:
    “When Catherine was born in 1729, no one would have supposed that she’d ever go to Russia. She hadn’t got a drop of Russian blood…”
    — Simon Dixon (04:49)

• The Marital Discord (06:31)

  • Peter’s childish obsessions and illness led to an unhappy marriage, leading Catherine to seek affection elsewhere.
  • Doubts over the paternity of Catherine’s son Paul are discussed, referencing her own allusions to affairs.

3. The Coup and Rise to Power

• Catherine and the Death of Peter III (08:11)
  • The panel discusses the coup that brought Catherine to the throne and the suspicious circumstances of Peter’s death.
  • While Catherine likely didn’t mastermind the murder, she “connived at it” and benefited greatly. She publicly claimed Peter died of “colic brought on by hemorrhoids,” which prompted Western ridicule.
  • The importance of her Imperial Guards and lovers (including Grigory Orlov) is highlighted.
  • Quote:
    “Nobody believed that she was not complicit in it. So she had to give out… manifestos saying that her husband had unfortunately died of colic…”
    — Tony Lentin (08:11)

4. Personality and the Cultivation of Image

• Charisma and Political Savvy (09:39)
  • Catherine is depicted as charming, informal, intelligent, and able to project majesty—a balance of humor and command.
  • Quote:
    “She also has the most tremendous charm… the ability to get on with people, put them at their ease… sparkling intelligence and an ability to project herself majestically.”
    — Tony Lentin (09:39)

5. Catherine and the Enlightenment

• Admiration and Correspondence with Philosophes (10:08–10:47)
  • Catherine read extensively (Montesquieu, Voltaire, Blackstone) and corresponded with leading Enlightenment figures, particularly Voltaire.
  • The mutual public-relations benefit of these relationships is analyzed—both Catherine and Voltaire sought prestige via each other’s reputations.
  • Catherine’s implementation of Enlightenment thinking in Russia was superficial and used as political spin rather than applied in full.
  • Quote:
    “She was quite unabashed in her use of spin.”
    — Tony Lentin (11:21)

6. Reform and the Limits of Change

• Legal and Institutional Reforms (12:51–14:45; 17:10–18:19)

  • Catherine convened a legislative commission in 1767 to codify laws, introducing her “Nakaz” (the Great Instruction) based on Enlightenment principles.
  • The commission failed to achieve substantive legal reform, stymied by the parochial interests of Russian nobles and practical challenges.
  • Notably, passages on the amelioration of serfdom were diluted due to resistance.
  • Quote:
    “She suffered from what’s called legislamania, mania for drafting laws… Although she consulted other people… she took her own decisions and imposed these laws.”
    — Tony Lentin (14:17)

• Reform in Education and Welfare (18:33)

  • New structures for local government and welfare, state schools (nominally open to serfs), and bans on torture and corporal punishment in schools are noted.
  • However, reforms rarely reached the countryside and had limited measurable impact.

7. Catherine as Patron of Culture

• The Winter Palace and the Splendor of Court (14:54–17:01)
  • Catherine spent lavishly to evoke royal authority and outshine European courts, seeing spectacle as political currency.
  • She amassed immense art collections (including Walpole’s from Britain), establishing the Hermitage as a major European art center.
  • Quote:
    “Spend, spend, spend seems to have been her motto as grand duchess.”
    — Tony Lentin (14:54)

8. Expansionist Wars and Foreign Policy

• Wars with the Ottoman Empire & Poland (22:11–24:32)
  • Catherine’s wars against Turkey and incursions into Poland are discussed as both opportunistic and ideologically motivated (“Christian triumph”).
  • Voltaire and other Enlightenment thinkers often cheered her expansion.
  • Paradoxically, expansion and warfare sit uneasily with Enlightenment ideals but enhanced Russian prestige.
  • Quote:
    “She relished war, which doesn’t entirely seem to go with Enlightenment.”
    — Tony Lentin (23:19)
  • Notable moment: Voltaire’s support for “bashing the Turks” (23:51).

9. The French Revolution and Increasing Repression

• Change in Attitude Post-Revolution (25:01–26:37)

  • The French Revolution disturbed Catherine; she became more repressive towards radicals, including those she had previously patronized for Western ideas.
  • The case of Radishchev—first sentenced to death, then exiled—for criticizing Russian life is discussed.
  • Quote:
    “There’s only one ruler here. There is one public opinion, which I form, and it’s people’s duty to conform with that.”
    — Tony Lentin (26:21)

• Obedience versus Enlightenment (26:37–27:07)

  • Contradiction of Enlightenment virtues: in Russia, “enlightenment isn’t ‘know thyself,’ it’s ‘know thy place’.”
    — Simon Dixon (26:38)

10. Catherine’s Legacy

• Achievements and Criticisms (27:29–29:27)
  • Debate over whether Catherine was a “facade” builder or a true reformer—her reputation suffered in the 19th century from her male Romanov successors.
  • She promoted Russia’s status as a great European power, stimulated cultural and institutional life, and encouraged a new Russian elite.
  • Quote:
    “Small town girl made good… an incredible individual achievement. I see her as a brilliantly successful Russian Becky Sharp, but a Becky Sharp who succeeded in the end, who didn’t fail.”
    — Tony Lentin (28:44)
  • Quote:
    “She very much brought forward Russia in the international diplomatic scene and made Russia a great power and an integral part of European diplomacy...”
    — Janet Hartley (28:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When Catherine was born in 1729, no one would have supposed that she’d ever go to Russia.” (Simon Dixon – 04:49)
• “She also has the most tremendous charm… the ability to get on with people, put them at their ease…” (Tony Lentin – 09:39)
• “She was quite unabashed in her use of spin.” (Tony Lentin – 11:21)
• “There’s only one ruler here. There is one public opinion, which I form, and it’s people’s duty to conform with that.” (Tony Lentin – 26:21)
• “In Catherine’s Russia, enlightenment isn’t ‘know thyself,’ it’s ‘know thy place’.” (Simon Dixon – 26:38)
• “Small town girl made good… a brilliantly successful Russian Becky Sharp, who succeeded in the end, who didn’t fail.” (Tony Lentin – 28:44)
• “She very much brought forward Russia in the international diplomatic scene and made Russia a great power… and that wasn’t reversed until after the Bolshevik Revolution.” (Janet Hartley – 28:59)

Important Timestamps

• 03:08 – Definition and context of serfdom in Russia
• 04:49 – Catherine’s early life and marriage to Peter
• 08:11 – Coup, murder of Peter III, and Catherine’s complicity
• 09:39 – Catherine’s personality traits
• 10:08–10:47 – Her reading and correspondence with Enlightenment figures
• 12:51–14:45 – Legal reforms and legislative commission
• 14:54–17:01 – Court culture, art, and The Hermitage
• 17:10–18:19 – The Nakaz and reformist ambitions/limitations
• 18:33 – Administrative, legal, and educational reforms
• 22:11–24:32 – Wars with the Ottomans and Poland, opportunism
• 25:01 – Reaction to the French Revolution and ensuing repression
• 27:29–29:27 – Assessment of Catherine’s legacy

Conclusion

This episode of "In Our Time" paints a nuanced portrait of Catherine the Great: a shrewd and ambitious ruler who projected the ideals of the Enlightenment while often acting out of pragmatic self-interest. Her reforms laid important, if incomplete, groundwork for Russia’s emergence as a European power, and her personal myth was carefully crafted—both in her lifetime and after. Her ultimate legacy, as the guests agree, is a complex integration of Enlightenment rhetoric, autocratic power, and grandiose ambition.