Name: ______
The Enlightenment brought together people from different parts of society. An intriguing connection was that of Catherine the Great the Empress of Russia and Voltaire the French philosophe. Voltaire is best known for his ideas on personal freedoms (including speech and thought). He left us with letters between himself and some of the ruling monarchs of his time, most notably Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia. Catherine, who ruled Russia for three decades until her death in 1796 viewed herself a patron of the arts and liberty. She considered herself a "philosopher on the throne." She has been criticized for the little she did for the millions of peasants in her empire. In the letters between Voltaire and Catherine they discuss methods of ruling and what style will work in Russia.
Russia 1768 Dear Sir, I have been a great fan of your work for many years now reading all of your earlier publications. You certainly do have a charming wit about you and an uncanny understanding of government. I wonder what are your thoughts on a state as large as mine? Would you offer the freedoms and rights you speak of were you to be the master of all of Russia? Yours truly, Empress Catherine
France 1768 Empress, I must say that I have received many letters in my time, but never from someone truly as powerful as yourself. You ask my thoughts on your people and their rights. I fear I may disappoint you however it is my opinion that all men are born free , it is society that puts them in chains and therefore society must set them free. All man is born with natural rights such as freedom to life and of freedom of speech. These rights must be guaranteed by monarchs who rule over man. Your humble servant, Voltaire
Russia 1769 Sir, Your words fascinate me. I would truly like to try to offer my people some of the freedoms of which you speak, but I fear what my people would do with such freedom. As you know Russia only became European in the time of Peter the Great less than one hundred years ago. I fear what my people would do with these enlightened ideas I hear from the west. I’ve read some works that encourage democracy. Can democracy successfully rule a country? Truly, Catherine
Paris 1770 Your Imperial Majesty, I’ve received your letter of last year. Interestingly while I believe that man is free, I truly believe that it is up to a monarch such as yourself to guarantee those freedoms. The world is not ready for democracy, the people are not well educated enough. If there were more monarchs such as yourself “enlightened despots” if you will all powerful kings and queens advised by philosophers such as myself. That is the best way to bring about natural rights and good government for all. Remember every man is guilty of the good he did not do. Your humble servant, Voltaire
Russia 1773 Dear Sir, I am heartened to revive your last letter. I feel as though I am doing as much for my people as any monarch previous to my time. I do not think Russia will ever turn away from a monarchy, I must ask you about the condition of the serfs in my state. Russia is one of the few European nations still holding its people in serfdom. Millions of serfs work the land for the aristocracy. I know the right thing to do is to go out and to free the serfs. At the same time I do not know how Russia will function any other way. Your counsel will be most gratefully appreciated. Catherine Empress of Russia
Paris 1774 Your Imperial Majesty, You truly are the Star of the North. Russia is in your very capable hands, however I must tell you, the serfdom you speak of is nothing more than slavery and I must inform you that slavery in all its forms is wrong. Your serfs must be set free. It is wrong for a man to be held in chains. Would you want it any other way if you yourself were a serf? Remember Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too." Voltaire
Voltaire died in 1778 and with his death ended his correspondence with the Russian Czarina. Voltaire did not live long enough to see the founding of the United States, the world’s first democracy since the time of the ancient Greeks. Catherine continued to rule Russia until her death is 1796, expanding the borders of the Russia to the south in search of the elusive warm water port that Russia has always sought.
1) What type of a ruler does Voltaire advise Catherine to be? Why does he advise her to be this? 2) What is a Serf? 3) What is Voltaire’s opinion of democracy? 4) What does Voltaire advise Catherine to do regarding the serfs? 5) What do you think Catherine will do regarding the serfs? 6) After her correspondence with Voltaire what do you think Catherine thought about the founding of the United States?