There were many factors contributing to the victory of the Martians, but X was the most important” or “Although the Venusians were very different from the Martians, the Martians were able to adopt several clever strategies to prevent resistance to Martian rule in their colony on Venus. This essay will discuss two of these strategies: X and Y [in order to…]”.)
QUESTION
Hi! My professor mentioned that there were some “serious issues” with my last paper, unfortunately…this paper MUST have correct citations with PAGE NUMBERS for each quote or paraphrased section (you may put this in parentheses) and it must have a CLEAR argument; convey to the reader why you think your subject is important/worth knowing about and take a position that NEEDS to be defended (an easy example of this is: “There were many factors contributing to the victory of the Martians, but X was the most important” or “Although the Venusians were very different from the Martians, the Martians were able to adopt several clever strategies to prevent resistance to Martian rule in their colony on Venus. This essay will discuss two of these strategies: X and Y [in order to…]”.)
I will attach the information I have sent to you for the past work you’ve done that will help complete this assignment, too. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
Notes from my professor:
I think it makes sense to start with the eighteenth century and see where that takes you. If it doesn’t seem like enough, you could always expand, but I think you could do quite a bit with Catherine the Great, putting tolerance towards Muslims in the context of her efforts to portray herself as a European ruler. For Catherine the Great, her Nakaz, or Instructions to the Legislative Commission which was to come up with a new code of laws for the Russian Empire, displays a lot of enlightenment influence (she was one of the “enlightened” absolute monarchs of Europe), as well as some of her thoughts about religion: http://academic.shu.edu/russianhistory/index.php/Catherine_the_Great%27s_Instructions_to_the_Legislative_Commission%2C_1767
You should see if you can find a copy of her Toleration of All Faiths Edict from 1773. Kelly O’Neill’s “Claiming Crimea,” deals quite a bit with Catherine and Muslims, in the context of the Crimean Tatars. And Mustafa Tuna has done work on Tatars in this period in the Volga region, though unfortunately I don’t think we have access to his recent book online (but there might be a related article). I’m trying to think about who has written about how she sent Muslims to proselytize among the Kazakhs of the Kazakh steppe – that’s another interesting piece of the story (certainly you can find references to this in many histories of Islam in the Russian Empire). If you want to go back to the 17th century (or even 16th century), Matthew Romaniello’s book Elusive Empire talks about the incorporation of the first Muslim communities around Kazan into the Russian state (it wasn’t officially an “empire” until Peter the Great in 1721, but it certainly functioned like one, and the incorporation of Kazan and Astrakhan was the beginning of concerted imperial expansion). I hope that’s helpful – Yemelianova’s article might give some good background, and the Khodarkovsky piece looks interesting for the Caucasus. Please let me know if you need help finding additional sources or want feedback on additional aspects of your topic.
ANSWER
The Influence of Catherine the Great on Religious Tolerance in the Russian Empire
Introduction
Catherine the Great, an enlightened monarch of the eighteenth century, played a pivotal role in shaping the Russian Empire’s approach to religious tolerance. This essay explores Catherine’s efforts to portray herself as a European ruler and the connection between her tolerance towards Muslims and her broader enlightened agenda. By examining her Nakaz and Toleration of All Faiths Edict, along with the works of scholars such as Kelly O’Neill and Mustafa Tuna, we can gain insights into Catherine’s policies towards Muslims, the incorporation of Muslim communities into the Russian state, and her engagement with Islam on the Kazakh steppe. Furthermore, Matthew Romaniello’s book Elusive Empire provides valuable context on the early incorporation of Muslim communities in Kazan and Astrakhan, marking the beginning of Russian imperial expansion.
Body
Catherine the Great and Enlightenment Influence
Catherine the Great’s Nakaz, or Instructions to the Legislative Commission, serves as a testament to her enlightened mindset. In this document, she demonstrates her openness to European ideas and her desire to modernize the Russian Empire. The Nakaz displays Enlightenment influences, reflecting Catherine’s aspiration to be seen as a progressive ruler in line with European standards. This context is crucial in understanding her attitudes towards religious tolerance, including her policies towards Muslims.
Tolerance of All Faiths Edict and Muslim Inclusion
Catherine the Great’s Toleration of All Faiths Edict of 1773 is a significant example of her commitment to religious tolerance. This edict granted religious freedom and equal rights to various religious groups within the Russian Empire, including Muslims. By offering legal protection and recognizing the rights of Muslims, Catherine sought to foster a more inclusive society and ensure the stability of her empire. The edict served as a foundation for the coexistence of diverse religious communities within the Russian Empire.
Engagement with Muslims in the Kazakh Steppe
Catherine the Great’s efforts to engage with Muslims extended beyond the borders of her empire. She sent Muslim missionaries to proselytize among the Kazakhs on the vast steppes of Kazakhstan. This strategy aimed to expand Russian influence in the region and establish diplomatic ties with local Muslim communities. By exploring these endeavors, we gain insights into Catherine’s multifaceted approach to religious tolerance and her aspirations for imperial expansion.
Scholarship on Catherine’s Policies
Scholars like Kelly O’Neill and Mustafa Tuna have extensively examined Catherine the Great’s interactions with Muslim communities. O’Neill’s work, “Claiming Crimea,” delves into the complexities of Catherine’s policies towards the Crimean Tatars, shedding light on the dynamics between the Russian Empire and its Muslim subjects. Additionally, Mustafa Tuna’s research on Tatars in the Volga region provides further insights into the experiences of Muslims under Catherine’s rule, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of her policies and their impact.
Conclusion
Catherine the Great’s reign marked a pivotal period in Russian history, characterized by efforts to modernize and expand the empire. Her policies towards religious tolerance, particularly towards Muslims, reflect her enlightened ideals and the desire to position Russia as a European power. The Nakaz, Toleration of All Faiths Edict, and engagement with Muslims in the Kazakh steppe demonstrate Catherine’s commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse empire. By examining the works of scholars such as O’Neill and Tuna, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and impact of Catherine’s policies on the religious landscape of the Russian Empire.
