History of Russia from Ancient Times. Volumes 27, 28

38 hrs. 6 min.

Language Russian

Author Sergey Solovyov

Narrator Yury Zaborovsky

Volume 27. Reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. 1766–1768

Volume 27. Contents

Chapter 01. Continuation of the reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. 1766 and the first half of 1767.
Measures against the slow execution of decrees.— Disturbances in the new College of Economy.— Slow resolution of matters in the College of Justice.— The case of the Zhukovs, Shchulepnikova, Bestuzhev-Ryumin, prince. Grigory Shakhovskoy.— Governor’s orders.— Unrest in Moscow.— The governor and merchants in Astrakhan.— Bryansk merchants and General Medem.— The end of the Dubrovinsky affair in Oryol.— Morals at the edges.— Peasant runaways and uprisings.— Wandering and robberies.— The adventures of the stonemason Shchamekov?— Siberian natives.— The Siberian governor Chicherin and the magistrate.— The annexation of the Aleutian Islands.— Church estates in Little Russia.— The election of the Kiev voyt.— The dispute of the Zaporozhians with the Military College.— Sloboda Governorate.— Resistance of Livonian knighthood in submitting reports on the grain harvest.— Difficulties regarding German colonists.— Financial measures.— Central Asian trade.— The maintenance of Moscow University.— The end of the «Nakaz»; opinions about it collected by the Empress.— Manifesto on the commission for drafting a project of a new Legislative Code.— The court’s move to Moscow.— Movement in the Baltic regions and Little Russia regarding the selection of deputies for the commission.— Catherine’s journey.— Her report to the Senate on this journey.— Continuation of peasant unrest.— A sect among the single-propertyholders.— Changes in the regions.— Activities of the Novgorod governor Sivers.— Approaching the time for opening the commission.— Review of the «Nakaz».— Changes in it.
Chapter 02. Continuation of the reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna.
The Commission on the Legislative Code. 1767–1768.
Chapter 03. Continuation of the reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. 1766, 1767, 1768.
Struggle with Poland over dissenters.— Break with Turkey.— Relations with European powers during these events.
Additions to Volume 27.

Volume 28. Reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. 1768–1772

Volume 28. Contents

Chapter 01. Continuation of the reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. End of 1768 and 1769.
Inoculation of smallpox for the Empress and the heir to the throne; celebrations on that occasion.— News of a rupture of peace with the Turks; letters from Catherine on this matter to Saltykov and I. G. Chernyshev.— Establishment of the Council.— Preparations for war.— Appointment of Prince A. M. Golitsyn and Count Rumyantsev as the commanders-in-chief of the two acting armies.— Orlov’s proposal for an expedition to the Mediterranean Sea.— Envoys to the Christian population of the Balkan Peninsula.— Intensified recruitment.— Establishment of an assignation bank.— Establishment of the Order of St. George.— Attack by Crimean Tatars.— Actions of the First Army.— Recall of Prince Golitsyn and appointment of Rumyantsev in his place, and Count P. I. Panin as commander-in-chief of the Second Army.— Taking Khotyn and the Danubian principalities.— Confirmation on the shores of the Sea of Azov.— Building ships there.— Assistance to Georgian landowners.— Actions in Kuban.— News of the movement of the Mohammedan population in Russia and measures to prevent it.— The Porte tries to incite the Zaporozhians to treason.— Plan to distract the Tatars from the Porte, devised in Petersburg.— Naval expedition to the coasts of Greece.— Count Alexey Orlov is entrusted with leading the uprising of Turkish Christians.— Appeals to them.— Relations with Montenegro.— Stepan the Little.— Contacts with Venice.— The presence of Prince Yuri Dolgorukov in Montenegro.— Relations with Paoli. Catherine’s correspondence with Belke and Voltaire regarding the war.— Relations with Poland; replacement of Repnin with Volkonkskiy.— Extension of the alliance between Russia and Prussia.— Austria’s intention to draw closer to Prussia in order to restrain Russia.— Meeting of Emperor Joseph with Frederick II in Neisse.— Relations with France, Denmark, Sweden, and England.
Chapter 02. Continuation of the reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. 1770.
Actions against the Turks in the Danubian principalities.— Movements of General Stöphl?— Rumyantsev’s complaint about the lack of troops; a encouraging letter from the Empress to him.— Catherine’s indignation at General Stöphl? for burning cities and villages.— Rumyantsev’s explanations regarding Stöphl?, the condition of Moldavia and Wallachia, and the state of the Russian army.— Rumyantsev’s movement from Podolia into the Danubian principalities.— Plague.— Death of Stöphl?.— A note by Count Grigory Orlov about the movement toward Varna and Constantinople.— Rumyantsev’s caution and his correspondence with the Empress.— Victories of Rumyantsev at Larga and Kagul.— Celebration in Petersburg.— Siege and capture of Bender by Count P. I. Panin.— His negotiations with the Tatars on restoring their independence.— Nogai hordes refuse Turkish allegiance.— Condition of the Russian fleet that sailed into the Mediterranean Sea.— Failure of the Morea expedition.— Destruction of the Turkish fleet at Chesme.— Catherine’s delight.— Orlov’s correspondence with European consuls in Smyrna.— Further movements of the Russian fleet.— Oddities in the Caucasus; Tottleben and Choglokov.— Desire for peace in Petersburg.— Frederick II’s policy.— The issue of partitioning Poland.— The so-called Linar project.— History of the issue of partitioning Poland.— Joseph II, Kaunitz, and Maria Theresa.— Frederick II’s second meeting with Emperor Joseph and Kaunitz in Neisse.— Political catechism.— Austria’s seizure of Polish lands.— Joseph’s plan regarding Russia and Turkey.— Frederick’s letter to Catherine proposing mediation.— Russia’s removal of mediation and acceptance of good services.— Russia’s peace terms.— Arrival in Petersburg of the Prussian Prince Henry; impression produced here by him.— Frederick’s indignation at Russia’s removal of mediation.— Conversations of Prince Henry with Catherine, Panin, and Salderan?; his correspondence with his brother.— Catherine’s letter to Frederick with information on the peace terms.— The feigned horror of the Prussian king upon reading these terms.— Reports from Poland about plans for partition.— Conversation of Prince Henry with the Empress and Count Chernyshev about Austria’s seizure.— Henry’s letter to his brother that he may safely occupy the Warmian bishopric in Poland.— Polish affairs; French assistance to the confederates.— D’Aumerier’s view of the latest developments.— Stanisław-August lifts his head; his correspondence with Catherine and talks with Prince Volkonkskiy.— Volkonkskiy’s efforts to reconsolidate the confederation; in Petersburg they do not agree to this measure.— Russia’s relations with Sweden, Denmark, and England.
Chapter 03. Continuation of the reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. 1771.
Frederick II’s letter to Empress Catherine regarding the peace terms with Turkey.— Catherine’s remarks on this letter.— Campaign plan of 1771.— Construction of ships in the Danubian principalities.— Rumyantsev’s complaints about the unsatisfactory condition of the army.— Minor war on the Danube.— Prince V. M. Dolgorukov—commander of the Second Army in place of Count P. I. Panin.— Relations with the Tatars.— The need for military actions against Crimea.— Occupation of the peninsula by Russian troops.— Escape of Khan Selim-Girey.— New Khan Sahib-Girey.— Liberation of captive Christians.— Negotiations with the khan about Crimea’s independence and the cession of Russian fortresses.— Embassy to Petersburg of the khan’s brother, calgi Shagin-Girey, and his conduct here.— Relations with the Nogais, Kabardians, and Kumyks.— End of the Caucasus expedition.— Count Alexey Orlov in Petersburg.— His objections to Russia’s acquisition of an island in the archipelago.— Opposing view of Admiral Spiridov.— Orlov removes foreigners from Russian naval service.— Fleet actions in 1771.— Catherine’s reply letter to Frederick II regarding peace with the Porte.— Frederick II’s views on Polish Prussia.— The role of Prince Henry in the partition of Poland.— Prince Henry’s departure from Petersburg.— Frederick II’s insistence on the partition of Poland.— Russia’s relations to this issue.— Austria’s relations to it.— Frederick II’s conversation with the Austrian ambassador about the partition of Poland and Russia’s peace with the Porte.— Russia’s relations with Austria regarding the Turkish peace.— The partition of Poland case in the Imperial Council.— Austria rejects Russia’s peace terms.— Catherine’s objections to Austria’s explanations.— Panin’s view on ceding Moldavia and Wallachia.— The Empress does not agree with this view.— The anxious state of Emperor Joseph.— The Viennese court’s attitude toward the partition of Poland.— The Tugut? agreement between Austria and Turkey.— Negotiations between Austria and Prussia.— Decisions of the Council as a result of Austria’s hostility.— Frederick demands that Russia renounce Moldavia and Wallachia and implies that Prussia’s share in Poland must be increased.— Setting the peace conditions by the Prussian king between Russia and Turkey.— Resumption of negotiations between Russia and Austria.— Austria’s peace conditions between Russia and the Porte.— Russia yields Frederick II’s demands and gives up the Danubian principalities.— Frederick hastens the partition of Poland.— Replacement of the Russian ambassador in Warsaw, Prince Volkonkskiy, with Salderan?— The latter’s actions.— Russia’s relations with Sweden, Denmark, and England.
Chapter 04. Continuation of the reign of Empress Catherine II Alekseevna. 1772.
Alarm over unfavorable news from Vienna.— Measures in case of a new war.— Struggle of opinions in Vienna regarding acquisitions.— Austria decides to help begin peaceful negotiations between Russia and Turkey.— Appointment of Russian plenipotentiaries to the Fokshan congress.— Count Grigory Orlov and Obrezkov.— The Emperor’s instruction.— Catherine’s recall of Orlov.— Obrezkov’s report on the progress of the congress.— The break of the Fokshan congress.— A new congress in Bucharest.— Unjust accusations against Orlov.— Condition of the First Army.— Difficulties in Crimea.— Shagin-Girey’s departure from Petersburg.— Frederick II’s view on Crimea relations.— Austria expresses a desire to acquire Turkish territories.— Russia agrees to this.— Austria changes its intentions, wishing also to acquire Polish and Turkish lands.— Kaunitz rejects the triple alliance between Russia, Austria, and Prussia.— Austria demands too large a share of Polish holdings.— Frederick II’s movement regarding this issue.— Settlement of the matter regarding the Austrian share.— The state of affairs in Poland.— Salderan’s final explanation with Polish magnates.— Salderan’s reports on Bibikov.— A change in relations between Salderan and Panin.— Salderan’s successor in Warsaw is Baron Stakhleberg.— Instructions to him.— Announcement of the partition.— Stakhleberg’s explanations with the king.— Russia’s relations with France.— Choiseul and Eghilon.— Explanations of the Russian chargé d’affaires Hotin? with the latter.— The Swedish coup.— Russia’s measures regarding it.— The Prussian king’s attitude to the Swedish revolution.— Panin’s explanation with the French chargé d’affaires Duran.— The Danish revolution and the attitude of the Russian court toward it.— Relations with England.— A general view of the events described in that year.
Comments on Volumes 27 and 28