Catherine The Great's Nakaz

Definition

Catherine The Great's Nakaz, also known as the Instruction of 1767, was a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at reforming the Russian legal system and governance. This document reflected Enlightenment ideals, emphasizing reason, justice, and the importance of civil rights, while also seeking to modernize Russia's administration and legal framework. The Nakaz served as a manifestation of Catherine's commitment to enlightened absolutism, attempting to balance her absolute power with progressive reforms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Nakaz was inspired by Enlightenment thinkers and incorporated ideas about individual rights and the role of government in society.
2. Catherine initially intended the Nakaz to guide a new legislative commission, which ultimately failed to bring about significant change due to resistance from nobility.
3. The document encouraged the abolishment of serfdom and called for equality before the law, though these ideas were not fully realized in practice.
4. Catherine's reforms through the Nakaz were met with mixed reactions; while some applauded her efforts to modernize Russia, others criticized her for not going far enough.
5. The Nakaz highlighted the contradictions in Catherine's rule, where her enlightened ideals clashed with the realities of maintaining autocratic power.

Review Questions

• How did Catherine The Great's Nakaz reflect the principles of Enlightenment thinking?
  • Catherine The Great's Nakaz reflected Enlightenment thinking by emphasizing the importance of reason, justice, and civil rights. The document outlined progressive reforms aimed at modernizing Russia's legal system and governance, showing an awareness of Enlightenment ideals that advocated for individual freedoms and rational governance. By incorporating these principles into her policies, Catherine sought to establish a more just society while maintaining her role as an absolute monarch.
• Evaluate the impact of Catherine The Great's Nakaz on Russian governance and society during her reign.
  • Catherine The Great's Nakaz had a profound but complex impact on Russian governance and society. While it aimed to introduce reforms inspired by Enlightenment thought, such as promoting legal equality and reducing serfdom, its implementation faced significant challenges. The resistance from the nobility and bureaucratic inertia limited the effectiveness of these reforms, illustrating the struggle between progressive ideas and traditional power structures in Russia.
• Synthesize the goals outlined in Catherine The Great's Nakaz with the larger context of European Enlightenment reforms during the 18th century.
  • Catherine The Great's Nakaz can be synthesized with broader European Enlightenment reforms by examining how it sought to merge absolute rule with Enlightenment ideals. While many European rulers pursued similar paths toward reforming their states in light of Enlightenment principles, Catherine’s Nakaz exemplified both commitment and contradiction—advocating for individual rights while upholding autocracy. This tension mirrored larger debates in Europe regarding the balance between authority and liberty, showcasing how enlightened rulers navigated their ambitions amidst existing societal structures.

Related terms

Enlightened Absolutism:

A political philosophy that combines absolute monarchy with Enlightenment principles, where rulers implement reforms based on reason and the common good.

Montesquieu:

A French philosopher whose ideas on the separation of powers influenced many Enlightenment thinkers, including Catherine the Great.

Social Contract:

A theory that individuals consent to form societies and governments for mutual benefit, often associated with Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau.