History Extra podcast Catherine the Great: life of the week
9 snips
Dec 31, 2024 Janet Hartley, Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics and a noted expert on Russian history, dives into the life of Catherine the Great. She discusses how Catherine seized power in a daring coup, her pursuit of Enlightenment ideals, and her legacy as a 'philosopher empress.' The conversation touches on her relationships with contemporary thinkers and the challenges she faced, including rebellion and territorial expansion, highlighting her complex image as both an innovator and a controversial ruler.
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Catherine's Troubled Marriage
- Catherine the Great's marriage to Peter III was fraught with incompatibility from the start.
- Despite producing an heir, their relationship deteriorated due to Peter's behavior and infidelity.
Catherine's Unexpected Coup
- Catherine the Great's rise to power involved a successful coup against her husband, Peter III, aided by his unpopular decisions.
- Her survival and eventual secure reign were remarkable given the risks and instability surrounding coups in 18th-century Russia.
Enlightened Reforms
- Catherine the Great, influenced by Enlightenment ideals, implemented reforms to align Russia with Western European states.
- Her reforms focused on administration, legal structures, noble and townspeople rights, education, and culture.