Opposition and rebellion: plots against Catherine; the Pugachev Revolt and its consequences
Catherine the Great faced serious threats to her rule, including noble plots and a massive peasant uprising led by Emelyan Pugachev. The revolt shook Russia and pushed Catherine to tighten control over serfs and nobles.
Real World
Pugachev raised an army of roughly 30,000 at its peak, captured Kazan in 1774, and promised serfs freedom and land — the largest armed challenge any Russian ruler faced until the 1917 revolution, demonstrating how explosive serf resentment had become.
Exam Focus
When explaining consequences of Pugachev, always state both the short-term repression and the long-term policy shift — examiners expect both.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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