Document Type
Thesis
Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
Committee Chair
Roxanne Easley
Second Committee Member
Jason Knirck
Third Committee Member
Chong Eun Ahn
Fourth Committee Member
Melissa Jordine
Abstract
Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796) changed Russia’s social and cultural life, allowing women to use traditional forms of female networks to record their ideas of enlightened femininity. By emphasizing selfless motherhood, Orthodox piety, and responsible morality, female memoirists recorded how the Russian Enlightenment influenced their roles within their families, communities, and court. Eighteenth-century Russian historiography has investigated Catherine’s Enlightenment reforms extensively, particularly her ability to harness masculine and feminine portrayals of her rule to fulfill her ambitions. This thesis focuses on four female memoirists that were impacted by Catherine’s reforms and the rhetoric of enlightened femininity that was introduced into Russia during her reign.
Recommended Citation
Phillips, Mikaela, "Catherine the Great's Impact on Noblewomen: A Study of Enlightened Femininity During the Russian Enlightenment" (2025). All Master's Theses. 2050.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/2050