Catherine The Great

Real World Example

Catherine the Great was the Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796 who worked to modernize and expand the Russian Empire, drawing inspiration from the Enlightenment. She promoted education, arts, and legal reforms, and corresponded with famous Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, which helped spread Enlightenment ideas across Europe. During the American Revolution, Catherine maintained Russia's neutrality but skillfully increased her country's influence, establishing Russia as a major European power. Her actions matter because they transformed Russia into a more powerful and enlightened nation, setting the stage for future reforms and cultural growth. Today, her emphasis on education and the arts inspires people to value learning and cultural development, much like investing in public libraries can encourage community growth and knowledge sharing.