CEVAP:

Empress Catherine the Great (1729-1796) was known for her thirst for knowledge. In 1764, she started decorating her main palace, the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, which was the foundation for one of the greatest public museums of all time. Encouraging education, she chartered schools and universities. Catherine introduced public participation in government, which was the foundations for what is called today civil society. Like her great predecessor Peter I, she encouraged the Russian elite to challenge tradition and supported the revolutionary change in Russia.