Which Russian tsar changed their mind about reforming
Russian serfdom due to the Pugachev rebellion?
(1 point)
Ivan the Terrible
Nicholas II
Catherine the Great
Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
The Russian tsar who changed their mind about reforming Russian serfdom due to the Pugachev rebellion was Catherine the Great.
To find the answer to this question, we need to examine each of the options and their historical context.
1. Ivan the Terrible: Ivan the Terrible, also known as Ivan IV, ruled as the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and later as the first Tsar of Russia until his death in 1584. However, the Pugachev rebellion took place much later, in the 18th century, which makes it unlikely that Ivan the Terrible is the correct answer.
2. Nicholas II: Nicholas II was the last Tsar of Russia, ruling from 1894 until his abdication in 1917 during the Russian Revolution. The Pugachev rebellion occurred in the 18th century, which is again inconsistent with the time period of Nicholas II's reign. Therefore, Nicholas II can be ruled out as well.
3. Catherine the Great: Catherine the Great, also known as Catherine II, was Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796. During her reign, she implemented several reforms and modernization efforts in Russia, including the expansion of territory and the improvement of administration. However, the Pugachev rebellion, led by a Cossack named Emelian Pugachev, took place from 1773 to 1775. It was a significant peasant uprising against the oppressive serfdom system.
4. Peter the Great: Peter the Great, also known as Peter I, ruled as Tsar of Russia from 1682 until his death in 1725. He enacted numerous reforms to transform Russia into a modern and westernized nation. While he initiated reforms, such as establishing a new system of governance and modernizing the army and navy, the Pugachev rebellion occurred after his reign.
Given the historical context, we can conclude that the correct answer is Catherine the Great. She initially considered liberal reforms to improve the conditions of the serfs but decided against it after the Pugachev rebellion, which threatened the stability and security of her reign.