Which statement best explains how Peter the Great and Catherine the Great expanded their power at the expense of Russia’s serfs?(1 point) Responses Both forced serfs to fight in the military for 25 years. Both forced serfs to fight in the military for 25 years. Both gave nobles more power over Russia’s serfs. Both gave nobles more power over Russia’s serfs. Both created the Charter of the Nobility. Both created the Charter of the Nobility. Both forced serfs to build St. Petersburg
Both gave nobles more power over Russia's serfs.
The statement that best explains how Peter the Great and Catherine the Great expanded their power at the expense of Russia's serfs is that both gave nobles more power over Russia's serfs.
To determine which statement best explains how Peter the Great and Catherine the Great expanded their power at the expense of Russia's serfs, we can analyze each option:
1. Both forced serfs to fight in the military for 25 years.
2. Both gave nobles more power over Russia's serfs.
3. Both created the Charter of the Nobility.
4. Both forced serfs to build St. Petersburg.
To find the answer, we need to consider the actions and policies of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great.
Peter the Great is known for his efforts to modernize Russia and strengthen its military. He instituted many reforms, such as the Table of Ranks, which allowed commoners to rise through the ranks based on merit. He also implemented conscription, which forced peasants to serve in the military for a fixed period. However, this statement solely mentions military service and does not address specifically how it expanded their power at the expense of Russia's serfs.
Catherine the Great also focused on strengthening the military and expanding the Russian Empire. During her reign, she enacted policies that provided more privileges and power to the nobility, which included the gentry and landowning classes. This action diminished the rights and power of the serfs, who were primarily peasants tied to the land. Therefore, statement 2, "Both gave nobles more power over Russia's serfs," is likely the best explanation as it specifically describes the actions of both Peter the Great and Catherine the Great that resulted in the expansion of their power at the expense of the serfs.
Statements 3 and 4, "Both created the Charter of the Nobility" and "Both forced serfs to build St. Petersburg," do not fully capture the broader impact and consequences on the serf population that led to the expansion of power.
Hence, the answer is: Both gave nobles more power over Russia's serfs.