Enlightened absolutism of Catherine II

The transition from feudalism to capitalism in many countries took place against the backdrop of the emergence of the ideology of the Enlightenment. In Russia, this period came in the 60s of the XVIII century - the reign of Catherine the Great.

Enlightened absolutism is a monarchical government based on the ideology of the Enlightenment. Its main ideas were: the person is the highest value, his interests are above the state ones; People are equal in rights regardless of estates; Society needs to be improved, and science and legislation should play a major role in this. In the light of all this, the idea of a "philosopher on the throne" became popular.

Enlightened absolutism of Catherine was characterized by holding events in the interests of the state itself and the ruling class (nobles). They contributed to the development of capitalism in the camp, but did not take into account many realities of society at that time.

Already in the first days of her reign Catherine carried out a number of trips around the country (Rostov, Yaroslavl, the Baltic provinces, drove along the Ladoga Canal, then along the Volga to Simbirsk). Then she realized that the culture of the people was too low and hastened to "mend sharp management flaws" (Kluchevsky).

The enlightened absolutism of Catherine's historians was called the "golden age". The Empress strove to ensure the evolution of the life of Russian society in an evolutionary way, under the supervision of the "people-loving" monarch. However, she did not want to change the social order: the empire flourished through the labor of the serf and workers, and the throne was based on the nobility, which was the mainstay of absolutism.

The idea of what to do for the prosperity of the state, the Empress formed on the basis of ideas derived from the writings of European enlighteners.

Catherine tried to neutralize the most unpleasant "legacy of past regimes" in the country. It restored and strengthened the state bodies that were created under Peter the Great. The Senate was divided into six departments. The Chief Magistrate, the Berg-Collegium, the Manufactory-College were restored. The process of centralization continued with the bureaucratization of management, the liquidation of the hetman in Ukraine.

The enlightened absolutism of the Empress was based on her personal understanding of the problems that had to be solved. In 1767, the Commission was convened to develop a new set of laws. In 1775 the reform of management was started. The number of provinces increased. They were headed by governors, and groups from several provinces were governor-general. Industry, expenses and incomes became occupied by the State Chamber, hospitals and schools - Order of public charity. Courts separated from the administration.

Gradually the whole system of government of the country became uniform, subordinated to governors, then to their governors, central colleges and, finally, the empress.

In 1779, the decree on the free opening of industrial enterprises was signed and published. Merchants and artisans received certain privileges. At the same time in 1785, the noblemen were granted a "Charter of Honor", which consolidated their feudal privileges.

Thus, the enlightened absolutism and the program of the Empress turned out to be very contradictory. On the one hand, they were characterized by the proclamation of the advanced truths of enlightenment philosophy, on the other hand, the preservation of the autocracy, the rule of the nobility and serfdom.

The enlightened absolutism of Catherine II as a whole positively affected the country's development: its territory grew, the population increased, and the treasury revenues increased. However, the people's situation remained disastrous. At this time, a powerful peasant war is being waged by EI Pugachev. The urgent issues were not solved in full. The state remained autocratic and feudal.