the future of my country

      November 5th, 1796

Dear Diary,

         I truly feel as if my son Paul is unfit to take the throne. I would much prefer my grandson, Aleksandr to take the throne. I would feel much more comfortable with my soon passing to know that the throne was in good hands. I have worked so hard for my country and I would hate for my work to be reversed with my son on the throne. Paul’s sudden emotional changes and violence are not fit for the throne.  I hope my efforts to develop this great country continues to grow so that I can put Aleksandr on the throne rather than Paul.

My regards,

Catherine

The war was a success

Dear Diary,

         The war is finally over, it lasted a long six years.  In the war we annexed part of Poland(1772) and brought Southern Ukraine, the Crimea and Northern Caucacus under my control. The year is now 1774 and I feel that I have much more to do to make a better country, a better Russia.  With all of this to do along with my long lists and taking care of those Serfs which I really don't think should exist, I have to make sure to keep the county united with its new parts.  I hope that this works out well and can maybe bring up the legislative commission to fix the old laws again.

My regards,

Catherine 

The start of a war

Dear Diary,

        This year, (1768) we went into a war.  We hope to gain a bigger Russia.  I must be brief so that not to disclose to much in case this gets in the wrong hands.
My regards,

Catherine 

Authoritarianism

    Dear Diary,

       In the recent past, many people, specifically the serfs and religious minorities have questioned my level of authoritarianism as the Empress of Russia. I feel that they are needlessly complaining and will never be content. The second I give them something, they find something else to ask for or complain about. Muslims have been given complete religious tolerance in the empire, and some have even acquired high positions within the government. I have even set up schools so that the nomadic groups of Muslims in the interior of the country could settle down, but they want nothing of it. I have refrained from persecuting the Jews like many rulers before me, and set up a completely different set of laws for them. As an incentive to convert I have imposed heavy taxes on them. They may claim that this is cruel and unfair, but in the end it really helps them more than it hurts them. If they convert, not only do they have to pay less taxes, but they are also a part of the one true religion. I have also changed the lives of serfs and the laws that apply toward them in their favor, but they still complain. The nobles and the state  still technically own their serfs, but the serfs have been given more freedoms than before my husband Peter. Now, only nobles can own serfs. This reduces the number of serfs in the country. Also, state owned serfs are treated much better than their noble-owned counterparts. I have even allowed the serfs a right to complain about their nobles, under the condition that they do not directly complain to me. I have also opened many universities and schools which the average person can attend, allowing more people access to an education. Even the serfs (with their master's permission) can attend these universities. I have also set up a university specifically for women to increase the number of educated and powerful women. I consider myself to be a very liberal and non oppressive leader, but many do not see my side. It's like they have forgotten what it was like under the harsh and rigid rule of the Emperors before my husband Peter and before myself. Hopefully these people will be content one day, but I doubt it will be in my lifetime or by my hand. It is late out, and I have to wake up early tomorrow as usual.

                        Sincerely,

                                Catherine

Eccentricities

           Dear Diary,

Many of the people of my empire believe that the only thing that I do and enjoy is ruling the great Russian Empire. This is, however, entirely false. I enjoy many of the finer things in life besides running our great empire. One of my favorite things to do in my past time is attend the Opera. In fact, I have invited many composers and musicians to this country in order to perform and compose many more operas. In Germany (where I was born), music is a large part of life and I intend to keep it that way. I also enjoy writing plays, specifically comedies, which help me escape my otherwise stressful life as the longest ruling and most well known female ruler of the Russian Empire. Maintaining the golden age of this empire and its nobility is no easy task. Not only have I maintained the current empire, but I have even managed to expand our territories into the Americas. My philosophy of the correct way to rule is derived from the writings of Voltaire, who I have been in contact. Sadly, however, he has recently passed away. I must admit, I wept bitterly at the news of his death. Ever since the death of my husband, I have had numerous romances with different men. But before I even consider being with them, I have my assistant spend a night with them to see if they are even worthy of my presence. It's getting late now, and I have to wake at 5 tomorrow morning. 

My Regards, 

Catherine 

Taking control

Dear Diary,

        

         Today June 28th 1762 I shall take the throne with the help of my faithful advisers.  I hope that all will go well I hope to write from you soon. As I take control of this country, I set goals for myself that I hope to achieve while on the throne.  I really hope that I can enlighten my people, the russian people.  Along with this I hope to modernize this country and bring more progressive laws.  I also hope to improve the education in Russia especially for the women of this great country.  These are very hard things for me to accomplish especially for being a women but hopefully my people will allow myself to take the role of their Queen and make Russia a prosperous country connected to the rest of the world.

My regards,

Catherine