Catherine II of Russia: The Grand Instructions to the Commissioners (1767)
Catherine II of Russia (1729–1796), known as Catherine the Great, was born a German princess and became the czarina and autocrat of Russia after the overthrow and death in 1762 of her husband, Czar Peter III. Russia in the eighteenth century was a country moving closer to the European model, a process traceable to the reign of Czar Peter I, “the Great” (r. 1682–1725), who had forcibly introduced to Russia many European customs and institutions. The exceptionally well-read Catherine was also influenced by the reforming ideas of the European Enlightenment and corresponded with several Enlightenment philosophers. Reform of laws was a classic Enlightenment project and an important step in bringing Russia closer to Europe. It also showed Catherine's grip on the country in the still-shaky early days of her regime. Catherine had been closely studying Russian laws since 1764 and convened a legislative commission composed of delegates from many parts of the realm to reform and...
