... was never set in stone, the thought and plans to abolish it, was of paramount importance to move Russia out of their older regime. Catherine was attracted to the French Enlightenment, keeping herself connected with great French minds like Voltaire and Montesquieu. Voltaire summed Catherine up in two words calling her a "benevolent despot," meaning an absolutist monarch molded by the philosophies of the Enlightenment. Rightfully named, she expanded ... culture and art, by building new schools, hospitals, founded the Hermit-Age ... ...

• Word Count: 2847
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate