History of the World/History of the World (Bureau Development, Inc.)(1992).BIN/dp/0490/04900.txt

Text File | 1992-10-12 | 5.3 KB | 111 lines

$Unique_ID{how04900}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{World Civilizations: The World Shrinks, 1450-1750
Document: The Nature Of Westernization}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Stearns, Peter N.;Adas, Michael;Schwartz, Stuart B.}
$Affiliation{}
$Subject{russia
government
peter

}
$Date{1992}
$Log{}
Title:       World Civilizations: The World Shrinks, 1450-1750
Book:        Chapter 24: The Rise of Russia
Author:      Stearns, Peter N.;Adas, Michael;Schwartz, Stuart B.
Date:        1992

Document: The Nature Of Westernization

     Peter the Great and Catherine the Great were the two chief reformist
rulers in Russia before 1800. In the first of the following edicts, Peter
focuses on educational change; his approach reflected a real desire for
innovation, Russia's autocratic tradition in government, and its hierarchical
social structure. Catherine's Instruction borrowed heavily from Western
philosophers and was hailed by one French intellectual as "the finest monument
of the century." This document, too, showed distinctively Russian traditions
and problems. Furthermore, the reforms in law and punishment were not put into
practice, and indeed the document itself was banned as subversive by
Catherine's successor, as Russia's rulers began to fear the subversive
qualities of Western influence following the French Revolution.

Decrees On Compulsory Education Of The Russian Nobility, January 12 And
February 28, 1714

     Send to every gubernia [region] some persons from mathematical schools to
teach the children of the nobility - except those of freeholders and
government clerks - mathematics and geometry; as a penalty [for evasion]
establish a rule that no one will be allowed to marry unless he learns these
[subjects]. Inform all prelates to issue no marriage certificates to those who
are ordered to go to schools. ...

     The Great Sovereign has decreed: in all gubernias children between the
ages of ten and fifteen of the nobility, of government clerks, and of lesser
officials, except those of freeholders, must be taught mathematics and some
geometry. Toward that end, students should be sent from mathematical schools
[as teachers], several into each gubernia, to prelates and to renowned
monasteries to establish schools. During their instruction these teachers
should be given food and financial remuneration of three altyns and two dengas
per day from gubernia revenues set aside for that purpose by personal orders
of His Imperial Majesty. No fees should be collected from students. When they
have mastered the material, they should then be given certificates written in
their own handwriting. When the students are released they ought to pay one
ruble each for their training.

     Without these certificates they should not be allowed to marry nor
receive marriage certificates.

The "Instruction" Of 1767

6. Russia is a European State.

7. This is clearly demonstrated by the following Observations: The Alterations
which Peter the Great undertook in Russia succeeded with the greater Ease,
because the Manners, which prevailed at that Time, and had been introduced
amongst us by a Mixture of different Nations, and the Conquest of foreign
Territories, were quite unsuitable to the Climate. Peter the First, by
introducing the Manners and Customs of Europe among the European People in his
Dominions, found at that Time such Means as even he himself was not sanguine
enough to expect.

8. The Possessions of the Russian Empire extend upon the terrestrial Globe to
32 Degrees of Latitude, and to 165 of Longitude.

9. The Sovereign is absolute; for there is no other Authority but that which
centers in his single Person, that can act with a Vigour proportionate to the
Extent of such a vast Dominion.

10. The Extent of the Dominion requires an absolute Power to be vested in that
Person who rules over it. It is expedient so to be, that the quick Dispatch of
Affairs, sent from distant Parts, might make ample Amends for the Delay
occasioned by the great Distance of the Places.

11. Every other Form of Government whatsoever would not only have been
prejudicial to Russia, but would even have proved its entire Ruin.

12. Another Reason is: That it is better to be subject to the Laws under one
Master, than to be subservient to many.

13. What is the true End of Monarchy? Not to deprive People of their natural
Liberty; but to correct their Actions, in order to attain the supreme Good....

272. The more happily a People live under a government, the more easily the
Number of the Inhabitants increases. ...

519. It is certain, that a high Opinion of the Glory and Power of the
Sovereign, would increase the Strength of his Administration; but a good
Opinion of his Love of Justice, will increase it at least as much.

520. All this will never please those Flatterers, who are daily instilling
this pernicious Maxim into all the Sovereigns on Earth, That their People are
created for them only. But We think, and esteem it Our Glory to declare, "That
We are created for Our People; and, for this Reason, We are obliged to Speak
of Things just as they ought to be." For God forbid! That, after this
Legislation is finished, any Nation on Earth should be more just; and,
consequently, should flourish, more than Russia; otherwise the Intention of
Our Laws would be totally frustrated; an Unhappiness which I do not wish to
survive.