ABSTRACT
Since the beginnings of its history Russia was a vastly diversified and multi-ethnic polity. Yet, its historiography has barely reflected this fact, leaving not only a gap in our knowledge but also influencing the views and actions of the ruling elites. This chapter focuses on the reign of Catherine II which was a significant period in this respect, as in so many others. An important factor in the ways newly acquired territories and their peoples were dealt with by the central authorities, in Moscow or St. Petersburg, was the time and manner of their acquisition. The Russian administration was generously sprinkled with officials of foreign background and training, either specially hired by the state or issued from the Westernized elites of the Baltic and Western provinces. Catherine endeavored to promote European style estate structures for the Russian population, in particular to foster the middle class of merchants, tradesmen, and small manufacturers.
