The 1767 Nakascatherine the Great
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Catherine II may have been the only intellectually minded individual to ever hold the position of Tsar in Russia. She became the most important proponent of Russian modernization. Her unique past along with the consultation of the great minds of her time aided her attempt to usher in a new way of life for Russia. The pinnacle of Catherine IIs attempt to implement westernization during her reign was the issuing of her Nakas in1767. Catherine IIs Nakas were her instructions for the legislation that was to embody her goals for the westernization and modernization Russia. Though little would result from Catherine IIs Nakas, the document and its content are viewed as some of the most enlightened of the era, and would propel Catherine II to a position of respect and honor in the eyes of her people and the world.
Catherine II followed a unique path on her rise to power. Along her way she acquired many traits, beliefs, and ideas that would help guide her to the throne and mold the goals of her of her reign. Catherine II was born with the name Sophia Augusta Fredericka. Her parents were a German prince and princess far removed from the line of power. Catherine IIs story of becoming a Russian grand duchess is one of political motivation. Catherine II was born during a time of tension and marriages among the royalty of conflicting nations was a common ploy to help ease tensions. Empress Elizabeth of Russia had selected her to marry the proclaimed heir to the Russian throne Peter III who had also been in line for the throne of Sweden. Catherine II was enthusiastic about becoming the Tsarina and spent eighteen years in Russia prior to her husbands reign being groomed and educated to be ready for that position. As an ambitious student with the full realization of her position in life, “she realized the importance of not offending Russian sensibilities and learned the Russian language and customs” according to Walter G. Moss, author of A History of Russia.(p.268) Catherine II absorbed all there was to know about the Russian way of life while maintaining some of her western values and ideas. She embraced the Russian way of life and converted from Lutheranism to Russian Orthodoxy in 1744 before her marriage to Peter III in 1745. From the start there was tension between Peter III and CatherineII. Catherine II viewed Peter III incapable both as a man and as a ruler which most likely stem from the